Delivery motorcycles run in central Seoul on July 12, 2021. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 20 (Korea Bizwire) — Food delivery orders increased sharply in the first week after the government imposed its toughest social distancing rules in the Seoul metropolitan area.
During the period from July 12 to 15 when the Level 4 social distancing rules were introduced for the Seoul metropolitan area, the country’s top two food delivery services, Baedal Minjok and Yogiyo, saw their order volume (on a national basis) rise by 10 to 15 percent compared to a week earlier.
During the same period, delivery platform operator Barogo saw its order volume rise by 20.1 percent in the Seoul metropolitan area and 13.5 percent across the country.
“Delivery orders for coffee and desserts that people used to buy and eat outdoors increased due to the impact of work-from-home policies,” a Yogiyo official said.
Fortunately, however, there was no ‘delivery chaos’ unlike the summer of last year.
This is because major delivery apps have steadily increased the number of delivery riders in anticipation of a surge in demand.
In contrast to the delivery service boom, restaurants that rely on dine-in sales rather than delivery service were hit hard by the toughened social distancing rules.
A restaurant brand that runs chain stores mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area saw its sales plunge by about 70 percent during the period, while an Italian restaurant brand suffered a 30 percent decline in sales.
A famous hotel in downtown Seoul saw its buffet sales fall by about 10 percent due to the decrease in family visitors.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
