The growth in ordering food online
Posted by kathryn in A Balanced Diet
A small snipped in this week’s SMH pointed to a New York Times article, outlining the growth in ordering meals over the internet.
Who has never been put on hold while trying to order pizza, hot wings or moo shu pork? Who has never opened a delivery bag and discovered a Coke instead of a Diet Coke, or that the brown rice is as white as the napkins the restaurant neglected to include?
Restaurants are investing in the technology that enables customers to order by sms or internet. In the US internet ordering is growing at such a rate it’s estimated pizza will move into the top ten online purchases in the next 12 – 18 months.
There’s a clear value to retailers in this trend. They have lower communications costs and fewer phone calls to answer. Plus, the increased marketing opportunities provided by the internet, mean average sales are higher and retailers build up a client database. However, it’s not such a good trend for health and good eating. As Marion Nestle says:
“I’m sure it will be popular among the heavy users of fast food who will be encouraged to eat even more of it . . . and that’s too bad, because there are healthier eating options.”
13 August, 2007
Comments
I really like the online restaurant ordering services. They are indispensable when traveling on business as they leave room service for dead for quality, variety and usually health. Pizza is only a small fraction of what is available. Restaurants can deliver great salads, soups, sandwiches, seafood, vietnamese, thai, etc. Even some great vegetarian meals.
I think they actually make it a little easier to eat well when takeaway is on the cards. I guess it’s demand that decides the ones that succeed. Maybe its an opportunity for the interesting and healthy restaurants to try and grab some business from the crappy delivery options we are frequently stuck with.
Perhaps the negative trend associated with this would be the lack of socialization that going out provides.
Wow, I’m really interested in this initiative. I agree with Andrew, there might be a huge potential for the health food market to grow with trend and carve out some business for itself. For me, there is something in ordering healthy food when you go out though. It’s like, when you go out the food is prepared right there and then for you. It’s a strange feeling ordering sushi from the net… but who am I to say it won’t work.
In terms of the negative social element of this, well, I suppose it’s still a good excuse to get friends together and share some good food?
I like the way you’re both thinking. From the New York Times report it seems that most of the online ordering services are through the big fast food chains. However, you’re right there is an opportunity for someone in the food industry to offer online ordering of good, healthy meals.
At the moment, I still find the home delivery options fairly average. While pizza deliveries are easy to find, other options are still limited in most suburbs. I live in the inner west of Sydney and while I can get good Thai food, there’s no Vietnamese, Japanese and definitely no soup or salad options.
When I am in Sydney I use http://www.cuisinecourier.com.au/
They have Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai restaurants etc (most with vegetarian options)...It isn’t home cooking, but it sure beats room service.
Leave a comment