Despite the increased cost of living, Aussies are enjoying more takeaway and food delivery than they were before the inflation rate began to surge. How can cafes keep up with demand?
Global research commissioned by Deliverect and conducted by Censuswide found that 57.3% of surveyed consumers (60.5% in Australia) are now buying up to three takeaways in a week, compared with 55.5% before the recent rapid increases in inflation.
At first, the stats might seem surprising, says Deliverect General Manager APAC Jeremy Van Dille, but people are continuing to prioritise and enjoy the convenience of takeaway and food delivery – “yet their expectations continue to rise”.
“Due to the situation and the rise in inflation and cost of living, consumers are becoming more conscious of where they’re spending,” he says. “Quality, consistency and speed will help restaurants stand out from the crowd.”
The research indicated that 60% of Australian customers believe quality is a primary reason for them to order again from a restaurant. It also found that for 27% of surveyed Australians, ordering food from a restaurant via apps such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats, JustEat, Grubhub, Seamless and DoorDash is the most reliable course of action.
Mr Van Dille says an online presence is no longer an option, but mandatory if you want your business to survive.
“The competition is getting stronger online as well, so the way to the top is ensuring your online business runs as smoothly as possible by using the right technology to save time, analyse performance and continuously improve,” he says.
Food for Thought
Deliverect’s survey, which marks the launch of its Food for Thought research series, also found:
- 27% of those surveyed find ordering food from a restaurant via third-party apps the most reliable, followed very closely by ordering directly from the restaurant (38%). Just over 18% only trust picking up takeaway directly from a restaurant.
- When watching their spending, 64% say the taste of food is more important, while 59% say the quality of restaurant ingredients is.
- People are looking for social proof before selecting where they eat, with 51% saying restaurant ratings/customer reviews are now more important than ever.
- Fast delivery is likely to encourage people to order from a restaurant again (38%), as is food arriving at the proper temperature (34%).
Read more about foodservice in the November issue of Convenience World.
