Ep 276: Are gig economy delivery and ultrafast delivery doomed?

Professor John Colley from the Warwick Business School joins me to discuss the profitability of gig economy delivery and ultrafast grocery delivery (q-commerce). We discuss: Who is swimming naked in the fast grocery delivery sector The conditions that have led to funding flowing into grocery delivery startups Inflation and other factors putting downward pressure on consumers' spending power Investor funds drying up putting pressure on business models Network effects: customers, riders/drivers, and response times Ease of entering the ride hailing market (e.g. Uber), and implications for other similar business models, such as takeaway delivery Profitability and competition The cut major corporates have to take to meet overheads When will customers be charged the actual cost of delivery? Will gig economy delivery companies ever make a profit? Regulating gig economy delivery services and impact on future profitability Employees vs contractors, and impact on operating costs Governments looking for taxable revenue Funding consumers' champagne tastes on a beer budget Labour shortages and impact on costs Congestion, emissions, and availability of real estate for dark stores Forecasts for the future of the gig economy model and rapid grocery delivery