Although our smartphones were already
transforming the way we shopped and
consumed, the COVID-19 pandemic
undoubtedly served as rocket fuel for the
delivery industry. Whether you want dinner or a
brand new car delivered to your home address,
there’s an app for that.
OPERATION DELIVERY
Most of us depended on apps like DoorDash
and Amazon Prime to have dinner and goods
delivered to our homes pre-pandemic,
but 2020 changed the way we think about
spending for good. At a time when consumers
were asked to stay at home and avoid
socializing, food delivery became a treat
during huge uncertainty. The global food
delivery market has grown to $150 billion and
counting, tripling since 2017. And according
to McKinsey & Company, the market more
than doubled during the pandemic as more
Americans sought comfort in fast food
experiences during the lockdowns.
Although the technology was already there
for many industries, COVID-19 set the cause
forward many years. In just a few weeks, giants
like McDonald’s and Walmart had to adapt to
cope with increased demand from shoppers,
and as well as hiring hundreds of thousands of
drivers and distribution staff, they had to bolster
their infrastructure practically overnight. It’s
little wonder why many startups are seeking
millions of dollars in funding as the delivery
sector continues to thrive with brands like
Wolt securing $530 million in funding this
January, and Uber acquiring Postmates for
an eye-watering $2.65 billion last year. Two