Grocery delivery apps are helping people in this quarantine season: Here’s how you can develop one

Morris Mandal quotes, “Even the darkest hour has only sixty minutes.” The world is facing a mighty opponent here. Situations are worsening as the days pass by. The Coronavirus pandemic is putting up a fight we did not expect. But, humans defy all odds, don’t we? Every time nature poses a challenge, we come up with innovative solutions.  People have restricted outdoor activities. Governments of various nations are imposing strict regulations to curb the virus outbreak. Modern technology is helping people to overcome the situation. Want to know how? Read the blog further. 

People require essential commodities for survival. Despite the fear, people are stepping out to buy groceries. But grocery stores across the nations are running out of stocks. On the other hand, people are lining up to fulfill their basic necessities. Now, here is the challenge. People need groceries. But they cannot access grocery stores. To solve this, people are getting groceries delivered to their doorsteps with the assistance of on-demand apps. Online grocery delivery apps are providing people with instant services. Let’s take a look at the rise of the grocery delivery market in this quarantine season. 

‘The rise of the online grocery delivery market’

Online grocery delivery apps see an unprecedented surge in this quarantine season. 

• The download rates of grocery delivery apps spiked over 100% since February. 
• Instacart, an online grocery delivery platform, saw demand rise by 300% since last month. 
• The number of users accessing the app skyrocketed from 200,000 to 350,000 in just a week. 
• Customers are satisfied with these platforms. Average customer tips increased by 30% since the outbreak. 
• There has been a 9.8% increase in the use of on-demand apps when compared to last year. 
• In 2020, revenue generated by online delivery platforms amounts to $5 billion in the UK. 
• Walmart Grocery saw a 160% increase in daily download rates since the beginning of the pandemic. 

From the above facts, it is evident that grocery delivery platforms are flourishing. People are considering these platforms, convenient and reliable. 

‘Online grocery delivery platforms are preventing transmission’ 

• The practice of contactless deliveries: People are well aware of how the virus transmission takes place. According to WHO, “The Coronavirus spreads through external contact with an infected person, by means of  sneezing, droplets of saliva, etc.” Grocery delivery apps are enabling contactless deliveries to prevent physical contact between users and delivery professionals. Users instruct delivery professionals to place their orders in their doorsteps without any contact. Hence, contactless delivery options can break the transmission chain. 
• Providing safety gear to delivery professionals: Delivery professionals visit various zones in a day. There are chances that they might act as carriers of the disease. Grocery delivery platforms are providing delivery professionals with safety gear. The safety gear includes gloves, masks, sanitizers, etc. It is wise to prevent the disease from spreading. Adopting these measures can prevent massive outspread of the disease. 
• Maintaining the supply network: One of the main failures for grocery delivery shops in our locality is the unavailability of stocks and enough resources to function. It also applies to grocery delivery platforms. The supply chain requires proper maintenance for effective functioning of the network. It includes the availability of stock, managing the app site, and delivery professionals. 

Develop your grocery delivery app

You are well acquainted with the need for on-demand grocery delivery apps. You can venture into the market instantly with an Instacart clone. Let’s take a look at the features of the app. 

Features of Grocery delivery app: 

To develop a grocery delivery app, features are essential. They include, 

• Access multiple stores: Users, upon signing up, have access to multiple stores in their locality. They can order from any store of their choice.

• Advanced filter options: Users can filter out groceries based on their type, price, etc.

• Payment options: Users can pay for their orders via different payment options like credit, debit cards, digital wallets, etc.

• Real-time tracking: Users get to know the exact location of their orders through the app. This feature is made possible through the integration of GPS technology.

• Ratings and reviews: Users can share their feedback/experience in the form of ratings and reviews.

• Availability toggle: This feature is mandatory to grocery stores and delivery professionals. By this feature, they can switch between their availability status and serve during the hours that they find convenient.

• Accept/Reject requests: Delivery professionals can accept/reject requests from users based on their interests and convenience.

• In-app chat/call facilities: Users can communicate with delivery professionals with this feature. They can also send special instructions to delivery persons.

• Multiple orders: Delivery persons can pick up and deliver various orders in their route. By this feature, delivery persons can conserve time and energy.

• Push notifications: Push notifications act as a great source to conserve time. Users needn’t access the app every time. These notifications provide instant updates regarding orders, offers, etc., to users.

• God’s eye view: This is an admin panel feature. With this feature, admins can effectively monitor multiple orders and deliveries in the app from a single place. 

‘Provide multi-niche delivery in a single app’

Delivery apps are gradually gaining people’s attention. But, they are downloading separate apps for food delivery, grocery delivery, etc. Can you provide multiple deliveries in a single app? Yes, you can. The multi-services app Gojek has already ventured into the market. With a single app for multiple services, users have control over their orders. Users needn’t switch across apps for ordering/booking essential services. A single app accommodates every delivery service.

To develop a multi-delivery app, it takes time, effort, and budget. However, you can have a white-label Gojek clone developed by app development companies. The clone apps can be launched into the market instantly. 

Summing up, 

Governments are planning to extend lockdowns in their respective nations. People find their commodities depleting day-by-day. On-demand grocery delivery platforms are helping to meet the daily needs of the people. You can develop your grocery delivery app by approaching an app development company. People need to maintain social distancing to curb the transmission rate. Always remember, “It might be stormy now, but it can’t rain forever.” 

Author

Marketing is my soul mate and writing is my side kick. Using my writing skills to share the knowledge of app development and upcoming technologies.