I have a confession to make! I’m not big on cooking, shopping, or generally much that is found inside the domestic realm. Part I get tired and doing all of that kicks my arse where my MS is concerned and the other part is that, I’m busy. That I can see my time better used to create, work and generate an income. I don’t have the luxury of annual leave or paid sick leave BUT I don’t have to answer to anyone in the 9-5 world. I have an adaptable work environment and I get to work with whom I like and when I please. I guess that’s the pay off, and in the grand scheme of things it’s a bloody good one.
I remember when I first moved back to Australia almost 10 years ago now, it was so difficult for me to to find anywhere that would deliver a bed to me without me first going to see it. I picked the one I wanted, just send it please. I didn’t have time to go trucking all over a new city, and I didn’t have a car or trailer. I’m pleased that online delivery and e commerce has come away since then, as I’m way to busy to go get what I want, or just incapacitated.
I think I’ve also come to realise that time is money, and outsourcing things like you’re grocery shopping, cleaning or even bringing you dinner aren’t lazy but exactly what the world needs. I’m sure you’ll have varying degrees of opinion with this, but it’s one of the major reasons I prefer city living to country or suburban.
Last year I was house sitting for my fam as they went cross country on a caravan holiday. Public transport is non existent, if you don’t have a car you’re screwed and while I was back there with others that did drive I was sick and practically on deaths door (OK slight exaggeration). I wanted someone to bring me food, to my couch while I was binge watching Girls! I logged into Menulog via my phone, which when it come up with “Nothing in your area” should of said “You fricking idiot, are you serious, don’t be foolish girl”.. It was dumb and hopeful, but certainly worth a try. I put a call out to social media, one of my awesome friends offered to bring me something, but I just sifted through the cupboards and that night ate probably my body weight in nuts and dried fruit.
Over the last say 6-8 months home delivery for practically everything has exploded and technology is the driving force behind it. UBER is an excellent business model, in it’s a business which puts peers and consumers in contact all via a few clicks of a button. Payments are simplified, you know where you’re going and if the driver is a jerk, well then report or rate them and there is full accountability. Needless to say I love UBER too. I seldom use cabs anymore.
Having clients that are largely in the hospitality industry, I’ve seen the massive impact the popularity of home delivery can have on their business. I’ve sat in their dining rooms during peak dining trade, and largely while it’s still busy with traditional dinners, the number of delivery orders coming through are ridiculous. Could some of these venues remain a float without it? I dare say probably not.
The industry and consumerism has changed and it’s happened for a few reason.
- People are working longer hours. By the time they get home, do whatever they’ve got to do by the end of the day/ night can you really be bothered cooking?
- You can experience hundreds of restaurants within minutes at a few taps. New restaurants, popular restaurants and fine dining places along with your fave pizza place are ALL online.
- You don’t need to put a bra or shoes on. Nuff said.. Getting dressed up to go out takes time and while it’s OK on occasions, given we’ve Netflix now.. Why would you ever want to leave the house again?
- It’s providing additional revenue for venues and business and jobs for those like delivery riders and drivers all around the globe.
Yeah there are there are the obvious that you can get a whole week’s worth of groceries for cheaper, that home made meals are better than bought out, and that it’s nice to cook and enjoy the end result of your labour. What about all those dishes afterwards?
Large companies like the aforementioned do take a commission (usually around the 30% mark), but if you’re a venue who has to outlay for staff, insurance, fuel and throw marketing / branding and advertising on top of that, it does run upwards of that. Nothing is for free, and it’s why and how the companies make their money, but I’ve had very minimal issues with online ordering or customer support when needing to liaise with them. The price of exposure right?
Home delivery is a massive booming industry at the moment. We’re a want it now kind of generation, and the easier it’s made for us to achieve that, well if you’re in the industry of instant delivery or service, kudos to you! Who doesn’t love the prospect of kittens or puppies coming to your workplace too. Oh internet, oh how we love you!
5 App’s I couldn’t live without!
Deliveroo
Suppertime/ Foodora
Uber
Woolworths Online/ Home delivery
Whizz Cleaning Service
P. S The best thing is I can get artisan and really cool gelato delivered to my door within 30 minutes! If you’re not keen on that, then there is something wrong with you.
P.P.S- If you’ve any product which you could deliver or provide online to sell, jump on board the e -commerce train as you widen your business and customer demographic which can only be good for all involved.