True to its name, the instant delivery space is booming right now. Over the course of the pandemic, £9.8B was infused into the super-fast delivery market worldwide, and a new crop of 10-minute grocery delivery startups popped up to provide supermarket staples in less time than it might take you to get to the corner shop.
Recently, the instant grocery startup Flink backed by DoorDash picked up $750 million. Also, the Indian rapid delivery startup Zepto founded by teenagers secured $100 million. Not long ago, Pieter Pot, a plastic-free grocery delivery startup raised €9 million and JOKR disrupted the industry by attaining the unicorn status.
As per reports, currently, the industry is worth £1.4 billion in the UK and is expected to grow to £3.3 billion in the coming years. Having said that, TFN has cherry-picked six of these rapid delivery startups operating in the UK right now and disrupting the segment.
Jiffy
Founder/s: Artur Shamalov, Vladimir Kholiaznikov
Founded year: 2021
Total funding: $31.4M
Delivery time: 15 minutes
Jiffy is an online supermarket with an ultrafast delivery service from London. Its mission is to transform customers’ online grocery-shopping experience and make it faster and more convenient to get the products they need when they need them. Jiffy’s on-demand delivery service offers a wide selection of fresh produce, meals and household essentials sourced from popular brands and local suppliers at retail prices. What’s more, Jiffy offers free delivery without any minimum order value restrictions.
In September 2021, Jiffy picked up $28 million in a Series A funding round led by family-owned investment company Heartland alongside Boston-based Flint Capital, Family Office of the Bukhman brothers – founders of gaming company Playrix, and existing investors Baring Vostok Capital Partners and LVL1 among others.
Dija (acquired by GoPuff)
Founder/s: Alberto Menolascina, Yusuf Saban
Founded year: 2020
Delivery time: 10 minutes
Dija is yet another London-based instant startup that offers groceries delivered to customers’ doorsteps in under 10 minutes. Dija operates from hubs within the local communities to help achieve its delivery pledge. While the company charges a delivery fee of £1.95, it offers unlimited free delivery for its members on eligible orders.
In 2021, GoPuff, the US-based go-to solution for immediate everyday needs acquired Dija. With this acquisition, GoPuff intends to accelerate its international expansion by establishing an immediate presence in France and Spain and providing further densification in the UK.
Zapp
Founder/s: Joe Falter, Navid Hadzaad
Founded year: 2020
Total funding: NA
Delivery time: 20 minutes (24/7)
London-based Zapp delivers everyday grocery items to the doorsteps of customers within 20 minutes, 24/7. Zapp delivers last-minute snacks, drinks, essential groceries, personal health and hygiene goods, over-the-counter medicines, and other everyday items. Zapp charges users a flat delivery fee of £1.99 per order there is no minimum order value. However, the service does not charge a delivery fee for orders over £30. Zapp’s riders are provided full-time employment, unlike rival instant grocery delivery services that follow the gig employment model.
Recently, Zapp secured $200 million in Series B funding round led by internationally renowned investors Lightspeed, 468 Capital, and BroadLight Capital alongside participation from Atomico, Burda and Vorwerk Ventures. Also, entrepreneur and Formula One legend, seven-time World Champion, Sir Lewis Hamilton joined the investment round.
Getir
Founder/s: Nazim Salur, Serkan Borancili, Tuncay Tutek, Dogan Dalyan, Mert Salur
Founded year: 2015
Total funding: $1B
Delivery time: 10 minutes
The Turkish hyper-fast grocery delivery service Getir charges no delivery charges and less than 10-minute delivery that makes it unique. However, new users have to pay £1.99 to avail the service. Getir launched its rapid delivery service in London in Feb 2021.
In November 2021, Today, Getir has made a big announcement by acquiring the UK-based instant grocery delivery startup Weezy. Prior to this, Getir announced that it will invest £100 million in the UK to establish a network of local stores across the country.
Gorillas
Founder/s: Kağan Sümer
Founded year: 2020
Total funding: $1.3B
Delivery time: 10 minutes
The Berlin-based on-demand grocery delivery startup has also stepped its foot into the UK market. Gorillas operates various micro warehouses in each neighborhood where it is operation. Similar to Zapp, Gorillas’ riders are also full time employees. The company allows customers to purchase a wide array of standard grocery items, and products from hyperlocal vendors, thereby letting customers shop from and support their favourite local businesses. It charges users with a delivery fee of £1.80.
In January 2022, Gorillas announced that it plans to acquire Frichti, a French startup delivering both ready-to-eat meals and groceries.
Weezy (acquired by Getir)
Founder/s: Alec Dent, Kristof Van Beveren
Founded year: 2019
Delivery time: 15 minutes
Weezy delivers a range of products such as fresh produce, cupboard staples, pharmacy items, cleaning products, alcohol and more. It works with wholesalers and sources groceries from independent bakers, butchers and markets.
The company was acquired by Getir, the Turkish grocery delivery company. Weezy operates in UK cities such as London, Bristol, Manchester and Brighton, thereby letting Getir establish its presence in the cities. Post this acquisition, it has been reported that Weezy has started closing its stores in the UK.
