Food delivery services have become a crucial part of daily life in today's fast-paced world. Apps like Zomato, Swiggy, BigBasket and Zepto are among the many service providers who ensure that meals and grocery products reach customers swiftly and conveniently. People depend on these services for their dining needs, be it a quick snack or a hearty meal. The dependence escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic, but four years since, the convenience offered by these platforms has integrated them into everyone's routines, making them indispensable.
However, the food and grocery delivery industry faces many difficulties during the rainy season. Monsoon across many parts of India means heavy rains that lead to waterlogging, roadblocks, etc. What does this mean for delivery executives trying to get products you ordered delivered on time and without damages?
Rainfall causes traffic bottlenecks and puts delivery workers at risk, which affects how quickly and well supplies are made. E-commerce and hyperlocal delivery services also face many operating problems during the monsoon season. To keep service quality high and customers happy, they need to come up with creative solutions. The exact effects of the monsoon on people who work in food delivery are undeniable and need to be taken care of by the respective companies.
Delays And Disruptions
Monsoons often cause delays and disruptions in food delivery services. Waterlogged roads make navigation difficult and slow. It can be difficult for delivery workers to reach their destinations on time, which could annoy customers especially in an era where quick services have raised expectations of deliveries within minutes, forget hours. Accidents caused by rain exacerbate traffic congestion and cause delays. Delivery timetables are greatly impacted by the erratic weather, which makes it difficult to deliver goods on time.
Inaccessible Delivery Regions
Flooding during the monsoon season can render certain areas inaccessible, and this is something people across cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, etc know well. Delivery executives find it hard to navigate through waterlogged or flooded regions, resulting in delays or cancellations. Customers in these affected areas experience inconvenience, and delivery personnel struggle with the increased effort required to reach them. The risk of accidents and vehicle damage is also higher in such conditions, posing a severe challenge.
Image Credit: Instagram | nupurgodboleyy
The Delivery Executives: POV And How To Offer Support
So, the troubles food and grocery delivery executives face are undeniable. Slurrp reached out to some of the food delivery executives in Kolkata, where waterlogging and long traffic blockages are immense issues every monsoon, and got to know about their experience of working during the season.
Jeet Sarkar from Domino’s was devastated due to the rain and stated, “Rain and traffic always make me late in delivering the order. I have missed multiple 30 mins’ deliveries, created a lot of problems even if it was not my fault!”
Surojit Rakshit from Swiggy shared, “Except for the waterlogged condition, it is similar to other seasons. Sometimes, delivering in the monsoon is even better because of the incentives.”
Continuous delivery during the monsoon often results in severe ailments. Manojit Saha, a delivery executive who also works for Swiggy, stated, “Getting cold and fever is a common thing for me during this rainy season. Sick leaves are normal for me. It harms my regularity and incentives badly.”
One of the delivery executives from Zomato shared, “Riding a motorcycle in the rain is like risking my life. But it’s my duty, and I have to do it.”
Clearly, it is only the dedication and need of these delivery executives that drives them to keep up with the pressures of the season. For customers, therefore, offering a top, a glass of water or even a towel to help the delivery executives dry up are small gestures that can go a long way in supporting them.
Image Credit: Instagram | zomato
Customer Expectations
The fact is, despite adverse weather conditions, customer expectations for timely deliveries remain high. Food delivery services must manage these expectations through clear communication. Providing updates on potential delays, rescheduling options, or alternative delivery arrangements helps maintain customer satisfaction. Transparent communication can mitigate frustration and foster understanding among customers. Delays are inevitable during this season, so modulating customer expectations and keeping them realistic is essential.
Increased Demand
The monsoon often spikes demand for food delivery services. Due to the heavy rains, people prefer staying indoors, leading to an increase in online food orders. Delivery executives face the challenge of managing more orders while navigating difficult weather conditions. This surge in demand requires efficient handling to ensure service quality is maintained.
Vikas Sharma, COO of food delivery startup Zepto, stated, "Impact of the rains has led to a surge in orders with people resorting to a work-from-home setup in the region," stated. He also added, "We have seen the app's traffic increase by 10-15% in the last two weeks".
Health And Safety Risks
Monsoons bring health and safety risks to delivery personnel. They are exposed to harsh weather conditions, increasing the likelihood of illnesses and accidents. Raincoats and other protective gear companies provide offer some relief, but the risk remains significant. Delivery executives must be cautious while on the job to avoid potential hazards.
Incentives And Support Measures
Companies like Zomato and Swiggy offer incentives to motivate delivery personnel during the monsoon. Zomato provides additional monetary incentives and rain gear, such as raincoats and jackets. Swiggy offers extra compensation for deliveries made in adverse weather conditions. These incentives are crucial in encouraging delivery executives to continue working despite the challenging conditions.
In addition to using weather- and season-based advertising, marketers can go above and beyond with well-considered campaigns to emotionally connect with their target audience. For instance, Zomato shared these artificial intelligence (AI)-produced pictures of its delivery associates having fun in Mumbai's streets around the monsoon's start. "Your delivery partner is currently enjoying the rain... sorry for any inconvenience," the description says. Customers of Zomato will definitely smile as a result, while also, perhaps, accepting that delays in this weather are inevitable.
Image Credit: Instagram | zomato
Support Measures By Companies
Companies also implement support measures to assist delivery personnel. Zomato, for instance, has introduced a 'Spin the Wheel' feature on its app, rewarding delivery partners for completing a certain number of deliveries during the rains. They have also set up over 700 rain shelters in partnership with restaurant partners to offer respite from the weather. Such measures help ensure delivery executives' well-being and motivation during the monsoon season.
Monsoons pose significant challenges to food delivery executives, from delays and disruptions to health and safety risks. However, with the support and incentives companies provide and a little sensitive or humane support by customers, delivery personnel can continue to perform their duties effectively. Ensuring timely and safe deliveries during the monsoon requires robust strategies and a collective effort from both companies and delivery personnel.