Millennials and Gen Z-ers are the undisputed protagonists in the growth of food delivery in recent years. But following hot on their heels are more and more  consumer groups who also enjoy a quick and convenient meal. This trend is also confirmed by the Online Food Delivery Services Global Market 2023. According to the report, the global food delivery services market will grow from 128.32 billion dollars in 2022 to 143.05 billion dollars in 2023, with a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 11.5%. For the near future, growth is estimated to reach 159.46 billion dollars in 2027, rising by a further +2.8% year on year.

At the same time, the sector is generating a strong demand for technologies – physical and digital – and for innovative, scalable and sustainable products, accessories, solutions and services towards the food equipment industry and its related industries. Answers that professional operators will find at Host 2023, at fieramilano from 13 to 17 October, where it will be possible not only to discover delivery trends, but also and above all to meet companies in the sector, from big players to innovative start-ups, up to to more specialized suppliers.

Just Eat, one of the leaders in food delivery services, releases the Map of food delivery in Italy, which reached its sixth edition in 2022 (see also article in this newsletter). Among other trends, the research highlights the desire for sustainability, especially on the part of consumers, which translates into a drive to implement new technologies by companies. As Daniele Contini, Country Manager Just Eat Italia explains: “Technology, and more generally innovation, represents an important pillar of our business. We are committed to guaranteeing a fast, effective and satisfying food delivery experience where the emotional aspect is also important. Another of our peculiarities is internal customer care, which we have decided to bring to the company to improve the overall service, providing a better experience to partner restaurants and customers, while increasing employee engagement.”

“In the long term”, continues Contini, “the home food market will continue to grow thanks to the convenience and practicality of home delivery. Added to this are other consumption opportunities such as take-away, grocery, corporate catering, all with considerable potential.”

And he concludes with a note on sustainability: “At the end of 2021, the Group announced its commitment to reduce emissions by 2030 through concrete actions: from improving the energy efficiency of buildings to electric vehicles for riders, up to packaging and materials sustainable practices and to support its Partner Restaurants in implementing sustainable practices. Also in Italy Just Eat has launched several projects, in particular in the field of green mobility in the three recently opened logistics hubs in Rome, Florence and Milan”.

A very peculiar company in the world of delivery apps is Too Good To Go, which redistributes excess food in special packages and sells it off at advantageous prices. “The goal of Too Good To Go is the fight against food waste,” explains Mirco Cerisola, director of Too Good to Go Italy. “Thanks to our Surprise Bags, we saved over 14 million meals in 2019. To date in Italy we have collaborated with 25,000 partner shops and – to make the fight against waste even more effective – we are thinking about new solutions”. In addition to the direct involvement of the food industry, Too Good to Go’s prospects for the near future also include a growing expansion towards the world of catering and eating out in general.

And while apps may all you need to place an order, you have to have the right hardware to ensure optimal performance in the delivery itself. “We have noticed that more and more people are alternating eating out with special evenings when they eat in. Consequently, eating out will specialise more in the high-end range, while the medium-low range will be covered almost completely by delivery,” adds Matteo Cerpelloni, chief marketing officer of the Swiss company Antidoto, which produces special ovens dedicated to delivery. “Since their inception, our ovens have been redesigned and improved several times to make them all-electric and compatible with electric cars, also making the most of the experience gained in Switzerland, a country that aims to be carbon free by 2050.”