An open letter to all food delivery aggregators in the UAE
22nd March 2020: I quote Harvard Business Review: “Practical, useful acts of kindness are good for humanity, and good for business. Acts of kindness are also good for the people who do them — and the more tangible the act, the better.” The full article HERE proves the commercial benefits from acts of benevolence.
Given the escalating COVID-19 lockdown and the advice for self-isolation, you, the delivery aggregators, are important distribution channels for food, with many restaurants across the UAE forced to rely on delivery as their primary or sole source of income. You are experiencing a huge boost in revenue, at a time when others are suffering. With commissions from you as high as 35 per cent – it’s practically impossible for these F&B outlets to continue to keep afloat, many of which are small, independent businesses responsible for countless livelihoods.
I urge you all to prioritise corporate social responsibility and put benevolence high on your agenda right now. Waive, or at least drastically slash your hefty commission rates at this time of crisis – and as many a case study shows, you will reap the financial benefits long term. Otherwise, the F&B industry will crumble, as will your business.
As HBR concludes: “Don’t be afraid to let bad times bring out the best in your company – and in you.”
By Samantha Wood – founder of FooDiva and curator of the #UAERestaurantsUnite COVID-19 social media campaign.
Media coverage of the open letter:
- Caterer Middle East (22 March) – read HERE.
- Hotelier Middle East (22 March) – read HERE.
- Dubai Eye 103.8FM Business Breakfast (24 March) – tune in HERE.
- Caterer Middle East (24 March) – read update HERE.
- Caterer Middle East (26 March) – The Entertainer waives delivery commission HERE.
- Dubai Eye 103.8FM (26 March) – tune in HERE.
- Caterer Middle East (1 April) – Careem Now reduces commission HERE.
Well done Foodiva! The commissions being charged are way too high for small businesses. These aggregators need to realize that they will not be forgiven at this time for being too greedy…help your customers and your community in these hard times please.
Bernard