Bitkom Survey on the Popularity of Quick Delivery Services

No more jam in the morning, empty fridge at the party, or broken charging cable just before an important meeting? Whether it’s food, drinks, or electronics: Quick delivery services often bring groceries and other everyday products right to your doorstep within 10 to 20 minutes.

(Berlin) 16 percent of internet users in Germany have already used a quick delivery service. In 2021, it was only 10 percent. One in three (33 percent) can imagine using quick delivery services. This is the result of a representative survey of 1,123 internet users in Germany aged 16 and older, commissioned by the digital association Bitkom.

According to the findings, the instant service is particularly popular among younger people: In the age group between 16 and 29 years, even a quarter (26 percent) have used quick delivery services, while among those aged 30 to 49, it’s one-fifth (22 percent). In the age group over 50, however, only 7 percent have used them. “Whether it’s a big weekly grocery shop or just one missing ingredient – just a few clicks and the products are delivered. Ordering and payment are straightforward and secure via an app, and you can often track where exactly the ordered goods are in real time. This convenient way to get the needed products without long distances or waiting times is especially well received by younger people,” says Bianka Kokott, Digital Transformation Officer at Bitkom.

86 Percent Are Satisfied with the Speed

For most, the name lives up to its promise: Overall, 86 percent of users are satisfied with the speed of quick delivery services. In fact, most (59 percent) state that they use quick delivery services for the time savings. About half (49 percent) appreciate the delivery to their door and use the instant service to avoid carrying groceries home themselves. 39 percent have used quick delivery services out of curiosity, just to try it out. 37 percent have used the service when they couldn’t shop themselves due to illness. A quarter (24 percent) use the services because they are open longer than traditional stores, and 18 percent because they receive more discounts than in supermarkets or discounters. For 10 percent, lower prices than in stores are behind their usage.

Overall, 43 percent of internet users see quick delivery services as serious competition for traditional grocery retail. 36 percent of users say they go to stores less often because of quick delivery services.

At the same time, most (53 percent) who have not yet used quick delivery services simply prefer to go to the local supermarket or discounter. A third (33 percent) have not used them because they find quick delivery services unnecessary. 32 percent find the delivery costs too high, and 29 percent say products are more expensive than in stores. The same number (29 percent) have not been able to use the instant service because such an offer is not available in their region. Kokott: “Quick delivery services currently exist mainly in larger cities, where the distances are short and can also be covered by bicycle.”

Offer to Be Expanded in the Future

14 percent have heard public criticism about working conditions in the companies and therefore do not want to use the service. For 13 percent, the offer simply does not include the products they need. “The product range is usually somewhat limited compared to large supermarkets, but there are also increasing offers that deliver products from the stock of large retail companies nearby to your home in a short time,” says Kokott. A large part of internet users also assumes that the offer of quick delivery services will expand in the future: 42 percent believe that quick delivery services will also be used for services such as craftsmen or medical care in the future.

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