Lessons Pakistani Delivery Services Can Learn From Zomato to Reduce Food Waste
- Fahad Bin Khalid
- November 13, 2024
- 3:13 pm
- 19
- Business
Food scarcity is a growing issue. Pakistan has a food paradox. About 37.5% of its people are food insecure. Yet, the Pakistan EPA says it wastes 36 million tons of food each year. This gap between waste and need calls for effective solutions to redistribute surplus food and reduce waste. Looking at Zomato, the Indian food delivery app, Pakistani delivery services could learn a thing or two to tackle these issues.
Zomato’s Approach to Reducing Food and Revenue Waste
Zomato, a leader in food delivery, has come up with an innovative way to combat food waste and minimize revenue losses. Their solution? Offering a 50% discount on canceled orders to nearby customers. When a customer cancels an order, Zomato resells the prepared food at a discounted rate instead of simply discarding it. This model not only saves food but also engages customers looking for affordable options.
Pakistani food delivery services could use similar tactics. This would reduce food waste and offer cheaper options for customers. Most local food apps lack order cancellation options. A discount-based reselling system could be a game-changer. This would prevent waste. It could also help restaurants and delivery companies by reducing losses on unclaimed meals.
Challenges and Solutions in Implementing Zomato’s Model
Adopting a similar model in Pakistan isn’t without challenges. A major concern is misuse. Customers might cancel orders to exploit discounts. However, Pakistani food apps can fix this. They should use customer IDs and limit cancellation discounts to one per account. This would maintain system integrity and ensure the model focuses on genuine cancellations.
Clear policies and restrictions would be essential to safeguard against potential misuse. Apps could, for instance, allow only verified users to access the discounted food and cap the frequency of these offers to prevent abuse. A simple feature could help. It would monitor cancellation trends. Also, it would add a "reason for cancellation" option. This could filter out exploitative cases. It would let the system run smoothly.
Why Addressing Food Waste Is Crucial in Pakistan
One-third of food produced globally is wasted. This causes huge greenhouse gas emissions. In Pakistan, food waste worsens food insecurity. Millions are affected by inflation and the struggle to afford basic meals. A discount food repurposing system could provide cheap food to consumers. It could help bridge the gap between waste and need.
Also, food repurposing models could make food delivery apps sustainable in Pakistan. Local delivery services could reduce waste and hunger. They could do this by improving food distribution.
Building a Sustainable Food Delivery Ecosystem
Pakistani food delivery apps should adopt Zomato's waste-reduction approach. It would show a commitment to sustainability. Discounting canceled orders could reduce waste and support food security. It would also help customers in need by providing cheap options.
This strategy also opens new avenues for Pakistani food services. It can create a delivery model that benefits businesses, customers, and the environment. With a focus on sustainability, Pakistani food delivery services can reduce waste. They can also create a positive social impact. This is a chance to transform the local food ecosystem.
