Control, Delivered: How on-demand delivery is going beyond convenience

It's been over a year since we published “The Rapid Evolution” white paper with PA Consulting, in which we delved into how on-demand grocery delivery was shaping the retail landscape. Back then, we touched on the next evolution of on-demand delivery: a future where items - from electronics and baby care to pharmacy, flowers, pet care, and sexual wellness products - are delivered in under an hour.

That future is now here, and on-demand has expanded far beyond food. In our new research report with PA Consulting, “Control, On-Demand. The shift to rapid retail delivery”, we aim to understand the role of on-demand delivery not just as a convenience service but in relation to the emotional aspects driving consumer needs. We surveyed 3,000 members of the general public across the UK, Germany, and Canada to unveil this new reality.

The research explores what the new role of on-demand delivery means for retailers and brands looking to stay relevant, resonant, and useful for consumers. And the findings are loud. For many, control has become the new currency of well-being. In fact, 70% agree that on-demand delivery makes staying at home more enjoyable, offering control, privacy, and comfort.

Small, everyday choices are doing more heavy lifting than ever. A quick essentials delivery or a familiar meal aren’t just transactions: they are victories in a hectic routine, helping individuals regain a sense of control and invest time in the things that matter the most. This is a shared sentiment, as two in three agree that knowing they can get what they need in under an hour feels like taking back control in a busy world.

Our analysis identified how on-demand delivery is contributing to this need for control. Some of the key findings:

• 72% of Speed Seekers (early adopters of on-demand services) say on-demand delivery will give them more privacy and discretion in ordering the items they need. With 68k pregnancy tests sold through our platform in the last 12 months, we can confirm this tendency.

• 69% of Speed Seekers say on-demand delivery makes small gestures effortless, helping them stay connected to loved ones, even from a distance. Over the past year, we’ve helped our users build real connections and sold over half a million roses.

• 65% of pet owners say they’ve felt guilty when they have run out of their pet’s favourite food or treats when they needed it most. With 1.8 million pet care orders delivered in the last 12 months, we are helping pet owners everywhere maintain the balance

At Just Eat Takeaway.com, we are proud to be leading this profound shift in consumer habits. With thousands of retail stores globally on our platform, including major brands like Dollarama, CEX, Fressnapf Maxizoo, Boots, Lovehoney, PetSmart, The Body Shop, Interflora, MediaMarkt, and Shoppers Drug Mart, we're witnessing firsthand how consumers are embracing the ability to get the high street in their pocket, fast. 

For retailers, this is a moment of opportunity. We know consumers today are shopping in more spontaneous ways based on how they feel and the everyday pressures they’re trying to manage. Retailers who can respond in real-time, offering speed, flexibility and ease, are better placed to meet people's shifting needs. That’s where Just Eat Takeaway.com can help. Whether through our Just Eat Takeaway.com platforms or our delivery-as-a-service solution JET Go, we are making it easier for retail brands to bring their offerings closer to consumers. 

Our commitment is to grow and transform our propositions to rapidly adapt to the evolving needs of our partners and consumers everywhere. By ensuring we are present at every step of this important transformation, we are shaping the future of on-demand living, whatever it may hold.