Glovo has reported an increase in deliveries and cashless payments on its platform since the onset of COVID-19 in Kenya.
During this period, Glovo saw cashless payments via credit and debit cards increase by 50% while those made via mobile increase by 14% in Kenya.
Grocery orders in Kenya rose by 30%, while the company also saw a 25% increase in the sale of cleaning agents and hygiene products such as disinfectants, sanitizers and antiseptic cream.
Downloads of the Glovo app increased between 20 – 25% in the country. The company said on Thursday.
A report by global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company dubbed “Meet the next-normal consumer” has revealed significant changes in shopping consumer preferences with an increase in e-commerce deliveries and general digital services.
The Barcelona-based startup applied a raft of protective and precautionary measures to its delivery operations at the beginning of the pandemic — including no contact delivery drop-offs and providing partners with hygiene recommendations — as the company prioritised the safety of its customer, couriers and partners.
In a bid to cushion consumers from the ravages of COVID-19, Glovo partnered with Naivas Supermarkets to offer free deliveries.
It also partnered with Standard Chartered Bank and MasterCard to encourage the use of electronic payments as safe platforms for transactions and to facilitate contactless deliveries between the customers and Glovo riders to mitigate the spread of the virus.
In a statement, Glovo General Manager for Kenya Priscilla Muhiu said with the increased consumption of digital services worldwide, the company projects it will continue to see a sustained momentum of Kenyans embracing online delivery services and other e-commerce platforms going forward even as the economy gears for full reopening.
“During this period, we have witnessed changes in shopping patterns due to the shift in preferences by consumers in the country hence this has helped us to focus more on addressing what the consumer needs.” said Ms Muhia.
