If you’re a delivery driver, you might have noticed the competition is getting stiff out there. Many who used to drive exclusively for rideshare made the shift to delivery during the pandemic and never went back. New gig workers, according to this Insider article, are signing up to deliver food, packages, groceries, and other items rather than driving rideshare. So, delivery has become one of the biggest gig driving trends in 2021.
Although rideshare is taking its time to come back from the pandemic, it seems that delivery is still on an upswing. In fact, new companies appear to be cropping up all the time – which means there could potentially be lots of openings for people like us, who are always looking for variety and financial gain through gig driving.
These observations lead us to wonder about the general trends in delivery, and where the business is going. We’re also wondering exactly what kinds of opportunities might open up for delivery drivers as delivery becomes even more of a staple in our society.
As more business models develop, some exciting gigs are emerging. In this post, we’ll look at what’s going on in the delivery business and what trends portend, and then examine enticing new avenues that are opening up for drivers in the not-too-distant future.
Here’s what we’ll look at:
- The fad that didn’t die: Delivery driver trends 2021
- New ways to go: Delivery driver trends 2022
- A “flowering” prospect in the weed(s)
The fad that didn’t die: Delivery driver trends 2021
No one was exactly shocked when delivery driving took off in the spring of 2020. The COVID-19 shutdowns transformed the way people got their prepared food, groceries, and supplies. Delivery drivers were classified as “essential workers,” and it was up to us to ensure that people didn’t go without the things they wanted and needed.
Once stores, restaurants, and bars began to open, it seemed logical that delivery would become less popular – but that’s not what happened. Delivery became a part of life during the height of the pandemic, and most of us got accustomed to receiving all kinds of goods through delivery services, rather than venturing out to get it for ourselves. Who wants to give up the convenience and comfort of having what they need/want brought right to their doors?
While this may change the way many businesses operate and place a drain on their income streams, delivery drivers have everything to like about the way things are going. Restaurant delivery alone is expected to continue its amazing trajectory of growth. Industry experts estimate it will be a $220 billion industry by 2023, and make up some 40 percent of restaurant sales.
Yet even with promising projections like these, many delivery drivers would like to branch out beyond delivering those burgers and fries to customers. Many get into shopping for and delivering groceries, while others enjoy playing “Santa” year-round, dropping off packages of all kinds to happy customers.
New delivery driving companies are looking for drivers all the time. Courial, for example, advertises that it delivers “everything.” This could range from candy and flowers to newly repaired shoes and neatly folded laundry.
The big delivery companies are also getting more inventive all the time. DoorDash recently instituted a new service, “Nationwide Shipping,” which lets customers order their favorite foods from other cities. Now you can get a real “Philadelphia Cheesesteak” no matter where you live. And … DoorDash will need more drivers to deliver these new edibles to the hungry customers on the other end.
Uber, meanwhile, recently purchased Drizly, a service that delivers from liquor stores. This opens up a whole other realm of possibilities, whereby delivery drivers are no longer fetching only the essentials for people. Now they’ll be the “life of the party,” quite literally.
These examples show what the big-name companies are doing, and that’s only part of the story. More small companies are finding their market niches, and launching new delivery ventures with goods and services that are bound to keep the party going.
New ways to go: Delivery driver trends in 2022
In states where it’s legal, cannabis delivery is booming. The state governments are collecting handsome sums as a result of legalizing pot, so more are sure to get in on the game. California collected more than $1.8 billion in taxes alone since 2018. One delivery platform in the state says that cannabis delivery makes up 10 to 15 percent of the state’s legal market.
This is bound to grow as cannabis delivery companies continue to crop up, more states move toward legalization, and banking laws catch up with the cannabis trade. The hope of most industry players is that legalization takes place on the national level. This would eradicate many of the laws that make it impossible for clients to pay for cannabis with much else besides cash.
Even without federal legalization, the cannabis industry, including cannabis delivery, is slated to grow at phenomenal rates. In 2022, the industry is projected to bring in $30 billion. And, just like so many other industries, the cannabis business is looking to delivery drivers like us to bring their product to their customers.
So, with the food and grocery delivery driving gigs becoming overcrowded, and the cannabis industry expanding to such a great extent, maybe you’d like to know what it takes to be a cannabis delivery driver. That’s why we asked some experts, who’ve got all the details about the available opportunities, and how you can jump on it now.
A “flowering” prospect in the weed(s)
Weed is one of the hottest items in California delivery, and FLOWER CO. is a new and growing company that’s looking for drivers. The company is customer-focused, and its goal is to supply San Francisco with the best buds on the market. Customers place orders online and are given a two-hour window for their deliveries.
Drivers are the cornerstone of FLOWER CO.’s operation. Here are the “must-have” characteristics of the typical FLOWER CO. driver:
- Customer-service oriented
- Positive and professional attitude
- Dedicated to making customers happy
- Passion for cannabis products.
The “brass tacks” qualifications include:
- Age 21 or older
- Valid California driver’s license
- Vehicle insurance in your name
- Clear driving record
- Smartphone with newer OS
- Availability to drive multiple days, including weekends
- Being punctual, proactive, and kind.
Your car needs:
- A trunk with plenty of free space
- A car alarm
- A clean and professional interior and exterior
If you can meet those requirements, you’ll be able to reap these benefits:
- W2 employment
- Structured shifts that are scheduled in advance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Product discounts
FLOWER CO. is currently looking for drivers in San Francisco, so if you’re in the area, this could be a great opportunity for you!
You’ll operate from FLOWER CO.’s licensed, secure location, and deliver a variety of products to all kinds of customers. You’ll load, unload, prepare, and operate a delivery vehicle, and collect cash payments. You’ll also have a chance to inform customers about new services and products as they become available. And, of course, you’ll agree to abide by all cannabis regulations and compliance procedures.
This driving gig is bound to grow as the future unfolds, and FLOWER CO. is a reputable company that offers flexibility and the opportunity to polish and grow your skills. Your interaction with customers will invariably be engaging and exciting.
So, if you’re a delivery driver based in or near San Francisco, FLOWER CO. can offer you a way to turn your driving gig into a way of life that serves you well into the future. Want to get started?
