Delivery scooters are parked in front of a Baemin Riders Center in downtown Seoul on April 12th. [이미지출처=연합뉴스]
[아시아경제 황수미 기자] The number of users of the three delivery apps has decreased by more than 1 million in the past month. It is analyzed to be influenced by soaring delivery costs and an increase in people’s outside activities due to the complete lifting of social distancing.
According to the big data analysis platform Mobile Index on the 3rd, the number of monthly users (MAU) of the three delivery apps last month was 32,092451. This is a decrease of about 3.4% compared to the MAU (33,216,220 people) in April. Compared to March (35,328 people) before social distancing was lifted, the decrease is larger.
In detail, the MAU of Baedal Minjok in May was 1,938,717, down about 250,000 from the previous month. Yogiyodo, which once secured MAU of 9.05 million, decreased by 300,000 to 7.65 million during the same period. In Coupang Eats, user churn was even more pronounced. Coupang Eats’ MAU in May was 4.5 million, down more than 560,000 from the previous month.
There are various analyzes about the recent slowdown in the delivery market, which has grown rapidly after the corona crisis.
The industry first cited seasonal factors as the cause. It is explained that March to May, when the weather is warm, was the off-season for people to do outdoor activities from the beginning.
In addition, it was observed that the demand for delivery temporarily decreased due to the increase in going out and eating out due to the recent relaxation of social distancing. In fact, as a result of analysis of credit card payment data for restaurants and pubs by BC Card New Finance Research Institute, restaurant sales, centered on delivery services, decreased by 12% from April 18 to 30, when all restrictions on business hours and number of people were lifted. . Restaurant sales, which combine delivery and offline sales, fell 4%.
As a result, the industry has to wait and see if the decline continues through the summer. After May-June, delivery demand will recover again as before, with mixed expectations.
However, the self-employed and consumers had different views. It is analyzed that the soaring delivery fee hastened some users to leave. In fact, the delivery cost experienced by users has doubled over the past year. This is because Baemin and Coupang Eats raised delivery fees and brokerage fees, respectively, earlier this year.
The franchise chicken delivery cost has risen from 2,000 to 3,000 won to a maximum of 5,000 won. Food menu prices also rose in line with the increase in delivery costs. In addition, as the delivery fee changed from a flat rate system to a fixed rate system, the cost burden increases as the cost of food increases from the point of view of the self-employed. As a result, the phenomenon of ‘de-delivery apps’ is emerging among those who cannot withstand the high fees and delivery costs.
Meanwhile, it was found that the delivery cost that consumers consider appropriate when using a food delivery service is around 1,600 won. According to the report ‘Results of a survey on the food service sector related to inclusive growth and sustainability’ published by the Korea Rural Economic Research Institute on the 22nd of last month, when the respondents ordered delivery worth 20,000 won, the average delivery cost was 1618 won. .
Reporter Hwang Su-mi [email protected]