Ever since apps first appeared on the tech scene, apps based around food dining and delivery have been among the most common and most popular. From big industry players like Foodora to boutique local delivery services and restaurant guides, food apps were one of the most dynamic parts of the app market even before the coronavirus hit.
In the months since the pandemic radically reshaped how people around the world get their food, however, apps geared toward delivery have only become more dominant. When it comes to dining and shopping, food apps could be the future. But what will that future really look like?
Consolidation and Diversification
Over the past twenty years, two major trends have influenced the development of the Internet: consolidation and diversification. It is likely that these macro-trends are indicative of what will happen with food-based apps as well.
- Consolidation: Users don’t tend to need a large number of apps or platforms offering basically the same service. People will tend to gravitate toward one of a handful of major players. Apps like GrubHub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Foodora are so mainstream that it is difficult for newcomers to carve out a space at this particular table.
- Diversification: As the most successful delivery apps consolidate, smaller apps will offer a range of more diversified services. For example, an app developer might decide to focus on local produce, or artisanal meats, or offer a vegan-specific service.
These developments tend to reinforce one another: as new markets open up the most successful apps tend to consolidate, while the least successful are weeded out. This in turn pushes entrepreneurs to develop new, more diverse options that go beyond what the established brands can offer.
The Future is Niche
The good news for less established food app companies is that there is still substantial room for growth by offering more niche services. Entrepreneurs who survey the landscape and notice that something is missing have an opportunity to fill these needs in a way that the large companies can’t.
If you have an idea for a food-related app that you think offers a unique approach, the best way to explore viability is to get in touch with an app development company like Guarana Technologies that can help you explore the practical side of food app design and determine whether your project has a good chance of finding a market.
App development experts have the technical know-how to go over the feasibility of your app, and can also advise on the business side of things as well, helping you figure out the best route for monetization and plan a road map for growth.
Though it is still not clear what the long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic will be on how we eat and shop, it seems very likely that some of the consumption changes that have occurred in response to the pandemic will permanently change how we think about delivery.
