New data from thermal food locker company Foodifox has revealed Aussies who live in high-rise buildings experience major inconveniences when it comes to having food delivered – citing delays, cold food, and meeting drivers on the street as the biggest contributors.
What were the findings of the research?
In a survey of 1000 high-rise dwellers, 40% reported that they had received cold or damaged food from food delivery drivers with a further 53% saying they’ve experienced significant delays with deliveries. Also, 37% say they often have to meet drivers on the street due to the driver’s unwillingness to meet them at their door, adding to their frustrations.
Food delivery drivers frustrated with high-rise buildings
Zach Edwards, resident of a high-rise complex in Abbotsford, Melbourne said: “Delivery to my apartment is a challenge for drivers. It’s not the easiest for them to navigate through the complex to my door which has led to slow delivery times and hassle – for both of us.”
“There was one time a driver got tired of trying to find my door and wanted me to come downstairs to meet them. But as I was heading downstairs he got tired of waiting and left my food bags on the side of the street – not even close to the main entrance of the building.”
The research also found that building residents had safety concerns. More than a third (38%) of respondents reported safety was a concern, particularly with strangers being granted entry into a secure building. They also cited concerns over theft and damage to the property.
Appetite for food delivery surges
With 35 corporate and residential locations already in operation across the city, Foodifox is leveraging off the continued momentum of thermal lockers that accelerated during the global pandemic. The appetite for food delivery continues to surge across the globe and is expected to grow another 12.67% by 2027, with a projected market volume of US $1.65 trillion.
The phenomenon is no different in Australia with over 7 million Australians using a meal delivery service and 7,000 food orders made hourly across the country. In its capital cities where there is mid-to-high density living, the introduction of a thermal food locker creates a control point for delivery drivers and customers. The delivery is easily handed off and fulfilled, and the customer experiences the satisfaction of convenience at their moment of choice.
Additional key findings
- 63% say are less likely to order food using food delivery services citing, poor experiences, receiving sub-quality food and its lack of convenience as the key reasons.
- 48% say they have left a bad rating for a delivery driver for a poor experience, with 28% citing late delivery as the reason.
- 25% say they are less likely to order food to their high-rise building because it’s not convenient.
What do the findings mean for the industry?
Hungry Panda CEO and Founder, Kelu Liu said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Foodifox to bring the convenience of thermal food lockers to our customers and delivery partners. This collaboration not only enhances the delivery experience for our clients, ensuring their orders arrive fresh and secure, but also streamlines operations for our dedicated delivery riders.”
“As the trend of smart lockers gains momentum globally, particularly in thriving Asian markets, we are excited to be at the forefront of innovation by collaborating with Foodifox and introducing thermal food lockers to Australia. The adoption of these innovative thermal food lockers is a significant step towards creating a seamless and reliable food delivery ecosystem for our customers, drivers, and restaurant partners,” Kelu Lui further added.
Tim Pagram, Foodifox CSO and co-Founder said: “We know the best food delivery must be hot, fresh, and convenient, but sometimes the value of meal delivery services is lost due to logistical challenges. To ensure the last-mile element of deliveries aren’t a pain point for all parties, we want to ensure food delivery is convenient for consumers and delivery partners.”
