Thu 21st Jun 2018 - Voice-based ordering and food-tracking devices will be next big thing to influence delivery market Voice-based ordering and food-tracking devices will be next big thing to influence delivery market: Voice-based ordering and food-tracking devices are set to be the next big thing to influence the UK’s fast-growing delivery market, according to the latest Go Technology report from hospitality management solutions company Zonal Retail Data Systems and insights firm CGA. The report found one-third (33%) of consumers want to know the exact delivery time as soon as they hit the order button. Likewise, with artificial intelligence becoming an integral part of home life through devices such as Siri and Alexa, the report said voice-based ordering was also likely to take off, with more than one-fifth (22%) of consumers thinking it will become more common. The report revealed more than one-quarter (28%) of British consumers are ordering more food deliveries than they did a year ago, with more than 27 million orders taken in the past six months, half of them made by millennials. A total of 44% of consumers use online channels to order delivery, while two-fifths (40%) believe more restaurants will start to offer delivery direct from their own websites, which are seen as the best source of information on deliveries. In comparison, only 29% predict a growth in third-party mobile delivery apps. A total of 39% said they would order more food for delivery if improvements were made to speed of service and the quality of food delivered. More than two-fifths (43%) said they would like to see faster delivery, which puts it at the top of their wish-list for improvements, followed by better food temperature (36%) and price (34%). Zonal sales and marketing director Clive Consterdine said: “Technology is changing the way we conduct our lives and the traditional way of doing things has gone out the window. Restaurant brands need to move with the times if they are to stay relevant and popular to demanding consumers as it seems that, for many, loyalty is being replaced with convenience. As this report makes clear, food delivery is here to stay and it is set to rise in popularity even further. Karl Chessell, CGA business unit director, retail and food, added: “Building a great service enhances brand equity and offering home delivery can open up a whole new customer base away from the high street. However, poor operational execution will see customers go elsewhere and damage the hard-earned brand reputation across all channels.”