FOOD DELIVERY APPS, With the fast-paced modern life bringing up the technology to the next level, it has also considerably changed our food and eating habits. The present generation has considerably shifted towards ordering food instead of cooking and this has caused the increase of food delivery options. Currently, a variety of foods and food delivery services are available in India. Zomato, Swiggy, etc. can be considered as equally popular as social media sites. Not just, the current generation, the older generations are also greatly helped by the food delivery apps. Hygienically cooked fresh meals are delivered to the doorstep which saves elder people living alone from the heat and hassle of cooking.
However in the current situation of an international pandemic of COVID-19, along with several other businesses, the food delivery apps are also suffering huge losses. People are generally avoiding orders to prevent any possible contact with the delivery agents.
After the enforcement of social distancing norms prescribed by WHO to prevent the spread of infection, almost all food delivery apps have ensured complete sanitation of the delivery agent and contactless delivery. In spite of such efforts, a pizza delivery agent of South Delhi tested positive for coronavirus causing about 72 families to be home quarantined. Though later he was tested negative, the online orders dropped by 30% across the country.
CONTRIBUTION OF FOOD DELIVERY APPS TO THE CURRENT PANDEMIC
- One of the most popular food delivery apps, Swiggy, has ensured door-to-door delivery of essential food items in addition to ready meals. They have collaborated with P&G, HUL, Godrej, Marico, Dabur, etc. to deliver groceries. Swiggy is currently conducting such deliveries in 125 cities.
- Another famous food delivery app, Zomato has collaborated with Vishal Mega Mart and other FMCgs to deliver groceries to doorsteps along with cooked food. This is currently available in 80 cities across India. However customers cannot order more than 12kgs at a time.
- Even specific company apps like Dominos has announced grocery delivery along with its regular pizza delivery services.
In addition to these, apps like Shopclues and Meesho which are shopping apps have also started the option of delivery of essential food and grocery items. The older grocery delivery services like Flipkart, Amazon, BigBasket, and Gofers are also continuing with their general services to aid home quarantined, older people, and those living alone.
