HOW LOCKDOWN WORKED UP AN APPETITE FOR FOOD DELIVERY
The coronavirus pandemic has reshaped the food delivery industry. As the world adjusted to social distancing and lockdowns, personal delivery services became a lifeline for struggling restaurants and grocery stores – and to meet the rising demand, temperature-controlled transit has rapidly expanded.
A taste for takeout
Despite dine-in closures leaving the food sector reeling, we saw the food-delivery sub-sector flourish. Popularity in takeout-delivery spiked in the early days of the pandemic, making it one of the fastest-growing markets – with AAL statistics showing 63.8% of Canadians had ordered food deliveries online in the last six months of 2020. Grocery giant Sobeys reported their e-commerce sales rose by 241% compared to 2019, and this boom in online shopping led to big investments in fulfilling delivery orders.
In a post-pandemic world, the public’s appetite for convenience is set to continue, with 49.4% of Canadians saying they’ll keep ordering online.
Changing consumer habits
With such a drastic shift in food delivery, the demand for temperature-controlled transportation has accelerated, in what was already a steadily growing industry. More and more companies are relying on third-party delivery channels to meet these changing consumer habits and Covid-19’s impact can be felt across the sector. Walmart is expanding its distribution network, with plans to hire more than 3,000 drivers. This means their in-home delivery option will soon be available to 30-million US households, five times the current level.
Beyond the food-delivery ecosystem
This steep increase in last-mile deliveries isn’t confined to the food sector either – it includes all perishable goods. Cold chain growth has amplified the importance of refrigerated transportation. From fresh groceries to life-saving vaccines, the safe delivery of products has never been more important. Many different industries rely on controlled temperatures to ensure their commodities arrive at their destination in optimal condition – and choosing the right reefer (refrigerated trailer) is key to quality delivery.
Satisfying the appetite for convenience
So how can businesses meet this growing demand for convenience? Put simply, by knowing which type of reefer works best for what requirements. For direct-drive refrigeration solutions, powered by the vehicle’s engine, we have a choice of nose-mount and rooftop systems.
With no secondary diesel engines required, our nose-mount options make the refrigeration unit very reliable – meaning less maintenance, and lower cost of ownership. They’re designed for medium-to-large boxed trucks and trailers to support a wide variety of urban deliveries.
Our rooftop systems on the other hand are perfect for businesses looking to run smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, complete with D.C. electric standby for overnight operation. They’re specifically designed for compact-to-large high-top, extended wheelbase vans.
The solution provider
At ATC, we continuously update our products to meet the ever-evolving needs of today’s competitive markets, and we’re capable of customizing our solutions to suit specific temperature requirements. Depending on your cargo, you may need dual-temperature settings. Take florists for example. They often need to move sensitive tropical plants requiring a different environment to the rest of their product. We design and manufacture units to provide multiple customized settings that ensure all goods arrive fresh.
Whether you want a refrigerated solution for your company or customers, contact ATC today to find the best type, size and modification for any kind of operation. Find your nearest direct drive refrigeration specialist here.
