Uber Looks to Shift into Food Delivery Services
The plan that was announced by Uber CEO last December might happen sooner than the company anticipated. Late last year, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said that the company is looking into the potential of shifting into food-delivery.
However, thanks to the unfortunate pandemic, the technology company decided to shift earlier than it initially projected.
In a speech in New York last year, the CEO said that the company can extend its business model to single local retailers. This will allow the company to deliver food in just under 30 mins.
Basically, the future prospect of the company looks similar to the business model of Amazon, the online retail giant.
That was the plan before. And as a result, COVID-19 delivered it sooner than most anticipated.
Just recently, Uber announced that it will be rolling out two new services, delivering essential goods. Apparently, the pandemic forced the company to shift faster as citizens are forced to stay inside their homes.
Aside from the stay-at-home regulations, the demand for online delivery has surged as seen by companies such as Amazon.
Technology news sites say that the new services mark an aggressive foray into the booming courier sector.
Uber is looking to expand its delivery services from groceries to food to medical needs and even pet supplies. In selected cities, consumers can use their app to send packages to them or their loved ones in a day.
Moreover, in order to offset the slump in its ride-hailing services, the company is looking for alternatives to support its revenue.
In the United States alone, the ride-hailing service is down 50% in its business in March on a year-over-year basis. Other states have even lost almost 70% of businesses as the transportation industry remains paralyzed.
Navigating Through the Unemployment System
Aside from the shift in business, the company has also launched a website to help its divers. Through the help of modern technology, Uber has found a way to help its ride-hail and delivery drivers.
The website launched yesterday. The site helps employees get through the intricate US unemployment system. The launch come amidst many part-time Uber workers await to receive jobless pay provided under the US coronavirus response bill.
Uber’s site allows its drivers to know each state’s application requirements and guide them to tax form downloads. The website also includes links to online filing systems to help affected workers.
The company said that it will keep the platform updated once more information becomes available. This is because some US states have yet to set their system for part-time or gig worker reliefs.
