A recent market survey by the Competition Authority of Kenya reveals that Spanish delivery app Glovo has emerged as the top choice for food and grocery delivery platforms in Kenya, with a preference rate of 33 percent for online food delivery and 46 percent for grocery deliveries. This underscores Glovo’s dominance in the digital delivery space, outperforming competitors like Jumia, Uber Eats, Bolt Food, and Yum Deliveries.
The survey attributes the growth of online food and grocery markets in Kenya to the Covid-19 pandemic, which prompted consumers to shift from traditional shopping methods to online platforms for convenience and safety. With e-commerce penetration projected to rise to 53.6 percent by 2025, there’s a clear trend towards increased reliance on digital delivery services for everyday needs.
Despite the rapid expansion of online delivery platforms, the industry currently lacks specific regulations. However, existing legislation under various acts such as the Competition Act and the Kenya Information and Communication Act addresses aspects of online food and grocery platforms’ activities. The Competition Authority of Kenya advocates for the development of a framework for self-regulation and the implementation of codes of conduct to ensure consumer welfare and fair competition.
In addition to dedicated delivery platforms, large retail chains like Carrefour, Naivas, Quickmart, and Chandarana have also introduced their own delivery services. This diverse landscape offers consumers a range of options for online shopping, contributing to healthy competition among retailers and platforms alike.
