At a time when tough economic pressure is weighing down on businesses, many restaurants are battling to keep the pots on the stove. ABC News reports that gourmet fungi restaurant Mountaintop Mushroom is closing its doors amid the “tough economy.”
Six months ago, the latest available data was released showing how bad the financial situation is for many business owners. Nearly 1,000 companies were closing down every day on average in Australia alone.
However, the food delivery app DoorDash’s latest Community Impact Report surveyed a wide range of its audience to evaluate its impact on the community.
Through the data, it emerged that DoorDash appears to make a significant impact on keeping businesses afloat.
“The report reveals that DoorDash played a pivotal role in the existence of 19% of surveyed independent merchants, indicating that without DoorDash, their businesses might not have survived,” it reads.
Key findings of the report
To ensure the data is not compromised, DoorDash commissioned three surveys through independent firms and conducted anonymously with current DoorDash customers, Dashers (delivery drivers working for Doordash), and merchants.
The results show:
- 88% of Dashers (delivery drivers) say they like the unique flexibility it provides.
- 70% of surveyed merchants say the service helped to increase profits.
- In total, DoorDash saved consumers an estimated 446 million hours in 2023.
Focusing on flexibility
Many drivers prefer working for food delivery companies with decent pay and flexible working hours. A staggering 79% of Dashers feel “less stressed and anxious” about their financial situation. This is because they can earn money “whenever they need to.”
Less than half (40%) of the delivery drivers surveyed say they would not use other platforms to replace their income.
For drivers who have been roaming the streets delivering food since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic – they know the severe pressure of casual work all too well. However, this anonymous Dasher believes there is a huge benefit to working for a delivery app. “Whenever I don’t have a full-time job, I know I can always rely on DoorDash to meet my family needs.”
What do the statistics say?
Looking at the statistics of how other food delivery technology contributes to the last-mile delivery sector, Statista anticipates a “significant growth” in 2024.
The latest available data from November 2023 shows the worldwide food platform delivery market is projected to increase by a staggering $282.60 billion before the end of this year. It’s even expected to grow further to $340.80 billion by 2028.
Customers are choosing convenience as the last-mile delivery options increase. Think about robots, drones, and autonomous cars delivering your food at home.
Statista says worldwide, the platform delivery market is experiencing this leap in growth. It’s driven mainly by “demand for convenience and efficiency” in countries like the USA, China, and India.
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About the author
Mia is a multi-award-winning journalist. She has more than 14 years of experience in mainstream media. She's covered many historic moments that happened in Africa and internationally. She has a strong focus on human interest stories, to bring her readers and viewers closer to the topics at hand.
