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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Research shows that ordering food for delivery has gotten expensive, yet demand remains high.</li><li>Pandemic habits and time-saving needs drive consumers to prioritize convenience.</li></ul>Convenience comes up with a pretty hefty cost these days.There's now a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ordering-food-through-uber-eats-doordash-gotten-wildly-expensive-2024-9">considerable difference in spending</a> between eating out and getting your meal delivered. But demand for food delivery has remained high — as has its price.The personal finance site FinanceBuzz did <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://financebuzz.com/compare-costs-food-delivery-apps">an experiment</a> in September and found that based on the cost to deliver an entrée, a side, and a drink from 10 popular chains on the same day within 3 miles — organizing dinner with an app such as DoorDash, Grubhub, UberEats or Postmates can cost almost double what it would to collect it yourself. This is when factoring in charges for food, fees, taxes, and suggested tips. Business Insider contacted these delivery companies for comment. Both Uber — which owns UberEats and Postmates — and Grubhub pointed out that restaurants also often set the menu prices for delivery, and these may sometimes be higher than when purchasing in-store. Still, diners aren't necessarily being deterred by the much higher prices.Last week, food delivery company DoorDash, reported an 18% rise in orders year over year in its third quarter of 2024. Revenue grew 25% to $2.7 billion in the same period.While Uber doesn't split out the results of its individual delivery companies, it saw gross bookings for its delivery segment grow by 16% year on year in Q3.So, why has delivery gotten this expensive?<h2 id="ef2204e7-2a73-4ce1-b97e-9e59db13fb63">Consumer competition</h2>"As app delivery has become more popular, apps have to pay more to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/drive-for-uber-eats-after-layoff-would-not-recommend-2024-7">drivers</a> to convince them to make deliveries for their team — with many drivers juggling multiple apps throughout their shifts," Anthony Miyazaki, a professor of marketing at Florida International University, told Business Insider."At the same time, demand for delivery pushed consumers to unknowingly compete against each other, with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-to-tip-food-delivery-driver-doordash-ubereats-2023-7">a willingness to pay more for delivery and more for tips</a> to get their food delivered on time," he said. A food delivery driver <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-delivery-driver-gets-big-tips-declines-orders-wealthy-areas-2023-4">previously told BI</a> that he decides to accept or pass on a variety of deliveries often based on the highest upfront tips.<div type="image" title="food on a table from doordash delivery service" height="528" width="772" msid="114979379" hostid="261" sizebytes="27174"></div>This led delivery app companies to take a higher cut from restaurants and raise fees for customers, while at the same time, drivers are looking for higher tips, Miyazaki explained, which all results in a much pricier food order.Matched with inflation resulting in the soaring prices of labor and commodities, many chains — including Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, In-N-Out, and Olive Garden — <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-food-price-rises-tipping-point-value-deals-combos-mcdonalds-2024-8">have increased the cost of menu items</a>.There are a couple of reasons that, despite the hikes, Americans are still choosing the ease of using an app to get dinner.<h2 id="5a6cf862-4bfe-4ddc-b330-71cd4f343f80">Creatures of habit</h2><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/changes-restaurants-pandemic-qr-codes-self-service-kiosks-2024-10">The way we dined changed</a> following the COVID-19 pandemic.But despite lockdowns coming to an end and the country gradually opening back up, people grew accustomed to the trend of ordering food."The pandemic has shifted dining habits, leading more consumers to seek out restaurant-quality meals at home," Alon Chen, CEO of Tastewise, a consumer data platform for food and beverage brands, said."Consumers now consider ordering takeout as a time-saving experience akin to dining out but in the coziness of one's living room," he said.For Miyazaki, because of the rise of streaming, more are comfortable with 'entertaining in' rather than going out for a meal."Also, with more people working from home, they're likely further from lunchtime restaurants and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/work-from-home-lunch-experts-broken-not-take-breaks-2024-9">don't feel the need to get away from the office anymore for their lunch break</a>," he said.<h2 id="ad899ce2-c371-4933-b511-e71d9133d92b">Time is money</h2>Oliver Wright, a senior managing director and the global lead for consumer goods and services at Accenture, explained that consumers feel "time-poor."This means that although <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/cutting-out-cost-of-convenience-for-a-month-2021-11">more money is spent on ordering food</a> than cooking or eating in a restaurant, the customer is saving time, he told BI.The degree to which <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-doordash-instacart-still-delivering-lots-as-consumers-pull-back-2024-8">convenience and ease are playing on consumers' minds</a> to alleviate time pressure has become especially relevant in recent years, Wright said, to the extent that people are willing to spend more if time is saved."Feeling 'time-poor' is a really dominant attribute," he said."The value of time might be very high," Chris Olivola, an associate professor of marketing at Tepper School of Business, told BI.He said that for the rational consumer, whether because of the amount of money earned per hour, how much importance is given to an activity, or the contribution being made to a company, these food delivery apps are popular because of how they assess their time.It's also about expertise, he said."You might be a good cook, but if you want Thai food and you don't know how to cook Thai, you have to teach yourself, Olivola said, "and that takes time."

Food deliveries keep getting more expensive — but we can't stop ordering       

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Amazon is reportedly developing <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-ray-ban-smart-glasses-gen-z-friends-review-photos-2023-11">smart glasses</a> that its delivery workers could use.</li><li>The glasses could provide navigation and take pictures of packages upon delivery, Reuters reported.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-delivery-driver-pay-rise-union-pressure-2024-9">Amazon</a>'s next attempt to speed up package delivery may involve smart glasses.The online retailer is developing glasses for its delivery workers that could show them exactly where to go in a building, such as which way to turn in order to find a delivery location, and take pictures of packages once they're delivered, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/amazon-developing-driver-eyeglasses-shave-seconds-off-deliveries-sources-say-2024-11-11/">Reuters reported</a> on Monday, citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the project.Having that information on a small screen embedded in the glasses instead of a smartphone or other hand-held device would free up workers to carry more packages and save time on deliveries, Reuters reported.The project, known within Amazon by the code name "Amelia," is far from certain to launch, according to the report. Some challenges that Amazon has reportedly faced include creating a battery with enough capacity for a several-hour-long delivery shift and gathering enough location data for the glasses to guide workers."We are continuously innovating to create an even safer and better delivery experience for drivers," an Amazon spokesperson told Business Insider. "We otherwise don't comment on our product roadmap."Amazon, like Meta and Snap, has previously developed smart glasses that were consumer-facing.Amazon has offered <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-echo-frames-smart-glasses-hands-on-2019-9">Echo Frames</a>, its smart glasses for consumers with voice assistant Alexa integrated, since 2019. The Echo Frames don't include cameras or an integrated display but do feature microphones and built-in speakers. Amazon is using Echo Frames as the basis of its delivery-focused version, according to Reuters. Sales of the latest version of Echo Frames totaled fewer than 10,000 over the past year, according to the report.Glasses for delivery drivers would be another way that Amazon is using technology to try to make its delivery operations more efficient, especially during the final stretch, or "last mile," of delivery.Amazon is already planning to add <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/amazon-vapr-delivery-van-packages">AI technology</a> that will show its delivery people which packages to deliver in the back of delivery vans at specific stops starting in early 2025.The company announced in July that it had delivered 5 billion items to Prime members globally on the same day or the following day so far this year, a 30% year-over-year increase. Over the years, some <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-delivery-drivers-dsps-working-conditions-legal-threat-2021-9">Amazon delivery workers</a> have said that Amazon has highly ambitious delivery targets and expects them to deliver more packages than they can during their shifts.In October, Amazon CFO Brian Olsavsky said that the company's quick delivery times are making it more attractive for customers to order <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-seeing-surge-sales-cheaper-items-2024-11">cheap, everyday items</a>, such as beauty products and shelf-stable groceries, from the retailer.Amazon is also opening more facilities designed to deliver customers' orders — including those placed through <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-prime-orders-deliveries-faster-than-ever-2024-4">Amazon Prime</a> — on the same day that they're placed.Are you an Amazon delivery or retail worker? Do you have information or a story idea to share? Reach out to this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com

Amazon targets smart glasses that could guide delivery drivers to where to drop off packages, report says

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ordering <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-delivery-reckoning-is-here-doordash-uber-instacart-gig-work-2024-7">food for delivery</a> can cost twice as much as dining in.</li><li>Some diners say it's enough to make them go get food themselves and save money.</li></ul>The price gap between getting your food yourself at a restaurant and having <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-delivery-driver-gets-big-tips-declines-orders-wealthy-areas-2023-4">dinner delivered</a> has become huge. That's forcing some people to cut back.Others say it's worth the extra cost.Ravi Wadan, a personal finance content creator in Seattle, posted a video on TikTok in February showing the cost of ordering a porchetta sandwich from a local deli through <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/drive-for-uber-eats-after-layoff-would-not-recommend-2024-7">Uber Eats</a>.The sandwich alone cost $19 through the Uber Eats app, according to the video — a $3 premium compared to what the deli itself charges. But with a service fee, taxes, and a separate fee that Uber Eats added in response to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/seattle-gig-worker-new-law-advocate-instacart-job-deactivation-2024-2">Seattle's law on gig worker pay</a>, the cost of the sandwich comes to just over $34. A tip would raise the price even more, he told Business Insider in an interview. Instead of paying twice as much for delivery, Wadan said he now walks the four blocks to the deli to get the sandwich himself. "What's the cost-benefit analysis here? Is it worth me spending 10 minutes walking down the street and saving 20 bucks?" he said. "For me, it is."An Uber spokesperson said that the company operates "a dynamic marketplace" and that the fees on Wadan's order are "not representative of the national average."Uber tries to provide "selection, reliability, and value," the spokesperson said. "Everyone wants to know that when they open the Uber Eats app, they'll find what they're looking for and trust it will be delivered in a timely fashion at a price that works for them."There have been plenty of signs lately suggesting that many low- and middle-income diners are pulling back on spending. Fast-food chains like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/restaurants-are-competing-to-offer-the-cheapest-meals-2024-5">McDonald's and Taco Bell</a> are offering revamped value options, hoping to lure in diners on a budget.Many diners are even driving themselves to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dominos-customers-increasingly-picking-up-pizzas-amid-high-delivery-costs-2024-7">Domino's to pick up their own pizzas</a> to save money on delivery costs, the company's CEO told BI in July.The premium that diners pay to have their food delivered can be hefty. A study from FinanceBuzz in January found that orders from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/doordash-postmates-food-delivery-costs-twice-as-much-as-pickup-2024-1">McDonald's and Chick-fil-A can cost twice as much</a> through delivery services like DoorDash and Postmates as they would at the restaurant, for instance.That might make delivery seem like an obvious place for consumers to cut back their spending these days.But the delivery companies say that's not actually happening.Both DoorDash and Uber reported earnings this summer that surpassed analysts' expectations — and showed that lots of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-doordash-instacart-still-delivering-lots-as-consumers-pull-back-2024-8">people are still willing to pay for delivery</a>, even if they're being more thrifty in other areas."We're seeing really strong demand on the consumer side," DoorDash CEO Tony Xu said on the company's earnings call in August. "We're not actually seeing some of the challenges that you may be hearing about or reading about in other headlines."DoorDash customers have continued ordering food — and, increasingly, groceries and other products — from the service, Xu said. Both DoorDash and Uber Eats have also seen growth in their subscription programs, which come with a monthly fee but offer discounts on individual orders, among <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://ir.doordash.com/news/news-details/2024/DoorDash-Partners-with-Max-to-Introduce-First-Ever-Streaming-Benefit-for-DashPass-Members-in-the-U.S/default.aspx">other benefits</a>."By any objective measure, we have not seen a consumer pullback, either broadly or in our own results," a DoorDash spokesperson told BI. "Consumers across very different economic environments are willing to pay for what they value, and we've improved our platform to serve more use cases, to get those things to you at a lower cost, and to make sure you get what you want when you want it."Uber, meanwhile, hasn't seen its customers stop using the platform for delivery or rideshare, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said during the company's earnings call last month. Uber's clientele skews more affluent, he said, though the company hasn't even seen a drop-off with lower-income customers."It's clear that delivery is much more habitual than many assumed," Khosrowshahi said.Even Wadan, the content creator who posted on TikTok, said he still uses delivery sometimes. He and his wife still have Thai food delivered, for instance, when they have friends over in the evenings and don't want to interrupt socializing with a trip to pick up dinner."There are certain instances where we just order the food because it's convenient and it just makes sense," he said.Do you work for a gig delivery service and have a story idea to share? Reach out to this reporter at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:abitter@businessinsider.com">abitter@businessinsider.com</a>

Ordering delivery has gotten wildly expensive

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Grocery delivery is not just a perk reserved for middle- and upper-income households, Walmart says.</li><li>The retailer says its <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-plus-burger-king-discounts-win-shoppers-from-amazon-prime-2024-8">Walmart+</a> members even include households that receive government assistance.</li></ul>Conveniences like same-day delivery, especially for perishables items like groceries, are one of the more luxurious features of modern retail.For the price of an annual membership (or a one-time fee), shoppers can have any of tens of thousands of items delivered to their front door in a matter of hours.As it happens, Walmart says such perks are not just reserved for middle- and upper-income households.The retail giant has said its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/amazon-prime-vs-walmart-plus">Walmart+ membership</a> is popular across all income segments, including lower-income households and those that receive government assistance.Through Walmart+ Assist, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-walmart-membership-discount-2023-7">qualified recipients can get half off</a> the typical $98 per year membership fee and tap in to the benefits like free delivery on orders over $35. Amazon offers a similar discount on Prime."The primary benefits of the Walmart+ membership are delivery-oriented in nature," said Walmart's chief revenue officer, Seth Dallaire, who heads up the Walmart+ program, while <a target="_blank" href="https://seekingalpha.com/article/4720570-walmart-inc-wmt-goldman-sachs-communacopia-and-technology-conference-transcript">speaking</a> Wednesday at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Technology Conference in San Francisco."We have a number of members that are paying for membership that are also using government assistance to shop with us," he said.When <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/instacart-advertising-chief-seth-dalliare-is-leaving-to-join-walmart-2021-10">Dallaire first joined Walmart from Instacart</a> in 2021, he said he wouldn't have expected such households to have the discretionary income to pay for a Plus membership."But what we found when we talked with those members was that they were doing the math of taking public transportation or taking an Uber or Lyft to the store or filling up the gas in their own vehicle to drive to the store," he said. "They're doing all of that math to say, 'Look, at that particular price for the membership, if I can have the groceries delivered to me and not and save the cost of the public transportation or the trip or the fuel, this actually works.'"Walmart is still working toward profitability in e-commerce, but in the meantime, executives are crediting this convenience play with helping the company grow market share (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-ecommerce-online-orders-getting-smaller-more-frequent-like-amazon-2024-6">with lots of small orders</a>) during a challenging time for the broader retail industry.Even Dollar General CEO Ted Vasos <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dollar-general-shows-how-bad-economy-is-for-some-shoppers-2024-8">acknowledged Walmart's success</a> at picking up more of the sales that would otherwise be his bread and butter."The guys down in Bentonville are doing a pretty nice job in garnering the available traffic that's out there from other retailers," he said.And where it once might have been easier to stop off at Dollar General on the way home from work than to visit a Supercenter for a gallon of milk, some low-income shoppers are opting to pay an annual fee to Walmart to top up their groceries — without having to go out of their way.

A Walmart exec explains the surprising reason low-income shoppers pay for a delivery membership

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats have spent years building <keyword id="19998733" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delivery-services" source="keywords">delivery services</keyword>.</li><li>But the <keyword id="19940300" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CEO" source="keywords">CEO</keyword> of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dominos-ceo-summer-value-5-dollar-meals-fast-food-burgers-2024-7">Domino's</a> says the company is seeing a surge in <keyword id="22630332" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="carryout-orders" source="keywords">carryout orders</keyword>.</li></ul>Startups, retailers, and brands have spent over a decade figuring out how to make <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-going-after-amazon-with-ecommerce-strategy-from-target-2023-12">delivery to customers work.</a> But <keyword id="21952347" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dominos" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Domino's" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Domino's">Domino's</keyword>, the pizza chain known for delivery, is having success drawing <keyword id="19947994" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="customers" source="keywords">customers</keyword> to its restaurants to pick up their own orders. "Our carryout business is on fire," CEO Russell Weiner told Business Insider in an interview. "This is something we didn't even contemplate years ago." That business was a bright spot for Domino's during its second quarter. The company's carryout comparable sales grew 7.9%, while delivery comparable sales rose 2.7% during the same period. People who order for delivery and those who stop by a restaurant to carry their orders out are mostly two separate groups with different priorities, Weiner said. He said delivery is about convenience, and customers who order their food for delivery are willing to pay the extra fees and tip their driver. Besides operating its own delivery service, Domino's also offers delivery through Uber. The third-party service accounted for 1.9% of Domino's sales during its second quarter. "We see only about 15% overlap between our carryout and delivery customers," he said. But other, more budget-conscious consumers realize that they can get "more than another pizza" with the money they spend on delivery fees and tips, he said, adding that delivery is an "expensive convenience" for many US consumers. Delivery services gained popularity during the pandemic as consumers stayed at home and had everything from a restaurant meal to electronics delivered by the likes of DoorDash, Instacart, Uber Eats, Walmart Spark, and other services. But as society reopened and prices soared for many consumer goods, especially food, many <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/return-to-work-mandates-could-mean-more-trouble-for-instacart-2023-4">customers cut back on their delivery habits.</a> Some also realized that they were paying a big premium to have stuff brought to their door. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/instacart-shoppers-forbidden-from-giving-customers-paper-receipts-2023-8">One Instacart customer</a> posted on TikTok after realizing that she had paid close to $100 in markups on her groceries — excluding delivery fees and a tip. Many people are also opting to drive to their local Domino's and pick up orders themselves for another reason: Control. Many carryout customers prefer the option over delivery because they're worried about what they'll have to do if something is wrong with their delivery order or whether it will show up in time for a party. "This person's like, 'I don't care if it's out of my way, I'm going to pick it up because it's going to be right,'" he said. "It is a completely different customer." Domino's has also attracted many new carryout customers by opening more restaurants and cutting the distance that customers have to drive, thus making picking up an order less of a hassle. "They don't want to drive past three or four pizza places," he said of Domino's customers. "They're going to the first one." Do you work in the restaurant industry and have a story idea to share? Reach out to this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com Correction: July 29, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated the percentage of Domino's sales that occurred via Uber during the second quarter of 2024. It was 1.9%, not 3%.

Domino's CEO says customers are picking up their own pizzas, and it reveals a bleak reality about the economy

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/shoppers-complain-target-cvs-home-depot-locked-items-policy-theft-2023-11">Locked-up merchandise</a> at retailers is turning off delivery workers for services like Instacart.</li><li>Shopping and delivering orders on-time is a struggle with so much locked up, workers said.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/retailers-lock-up-aisles-combat-theft-missing-huge-part-problem-2023-6">Locked-up bottles of dish detergent</a> and water at retailers like CVS and Walmart isn't just a headache for customers doing their own shopping: It's also hampering deliveries through services like Instacart.Unlike regular shoppers, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/golden-age-gig-work-instacart-doordash-delivery-jobs-over-2023-12#:~:text=The%20golden%20age%20of%20working%20for%20Instacart%2C%20DoorDash%2C%20and%20other,apps%20is%20over%2C%20workers%20say&amp;text=Delivering%20groceries%20and%20takeout%20as,said%20in%20dozens%20of%20interviews.">delivery workers</a> who pick up orders at stores usually have to shop and deliver their orders on a deadline. That means they often say no to taking orders at stores that are infamous for having a lot of items locked up.An Ohio-based shopper who delivered for Walmart's Spark delivery service until earlier this year recalled waiting 10 minutes once for an employee to unlock a case containing baby formula. He and other workers that Business Insider interviewed declined to be identified in this story, citing potential retaliation from the delivery services. BI has verified their identities and work histories.Gig delivery workers in most states are paid for each order that they deliver. Many also rely on tips from customers for prompt service, so waiting around in a store can be costly, the Ohio worker said."Drivers make money per order, not per hour, so every second counts for us," the driver added.Retailers have increased the number of products under lock and key over the past few years, citing ongoing problems with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-we-dont-actually-know-whether-retail-theft-big-problem-2024-3">shoplifting</a>. But the strategy is also turning off some consumers, who seek out what they need elsewhere, including online at retailers like Amazon.The Ohio-based worker said putting more locked-up items at the front of the store, such as behind the checkout kiosks, could be one way for retailers to improve the system."That way, there is always someone to unlock the case and watch that it is actually purchased," he said.One Nevada-based shopper for Instacart <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/locked-up-merchandise-drugstores-annoys-shoppers-cvs-walgreens-rite-aid-2024-8">recently told BI</a> she refuses to take orders from one particular Walgreens near her where orders often contain multiple locked-up items.Spokespeople for Walgreens and CVS previously told BI that the chains started locking up products based on shoplifting trends at specific stores. Representatives for the two stores didn't immediately return a call for comment for this story.Avoiding locked-up merchandise completely is tough, and some workers have to improvise. One Spark shopper in Idaho recounted finding a cosmetic product that a customer had ordered at Walmart.The shopper told BI that they pressed a button on the shelf to request help from an employee, but no one showed up after several minutes."I ended up ripping the cardboard of the packaging and taking it off the hook" where it was locked up, the shopper said. The order they were shopping had perishable groceries, and they worried that Walmart would cancel the order — and their pay — if they took too long."I really didn't want to just wait forever for someone to finally come unlock the thing," the Spark shopper said.An Instacart spokesperson said shoppers can message customers through the app to let them know if they face delays while shopping an order. Shoppers do not receive less base pay if an order takes longer than expected, the spokesperson <a target="_blank" href="http://said.Walmart">said.</a><a target="_blank" href="http://said.Walmart">Walmart</a> declined to comment to BI.Do you work for Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats, or another gig delivery service and have a story idea to share? Reach out to this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com

Some Walmart and Walgreens stores are locking up so much stuff that delivery workers are avoiding them

The smartphone industry continuously pushes the boundaries of <keyword id="1658654" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fast-charging" source="Orion">fast charging</keyword>, with companies launching new and improved charging technologies at an impressive pace. Recently, <keyword id="19985864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="realme" source="keywords">Realme</keyword> announced a new system, called the 320W SuperSonic charge that can charge a 4,420 mAh battery from 1% to 100% in just 4 minutes and 30 seconds. This raises an important question: Do these fast chargers damage your phone’s battery, or are they totally safe to use? In this article, we'll explore the science behind battery function and the technologies that manufacturers are developing to protect your device's battery. <h2>How does a smartphone battery work?</h2>Smartphone batteries are typically made of lithium-ion or lithium-polymer cells, which operate through chemical reactions. When charging, lithium ions flow from the negative electrode (anode) to the positive electrode (cathode), generating energy that powers the device. Batteries absorb the most energy when they are almost empty. As they are near their full capacity, they absorb less power. This is why smartphone charging slows down once the battery reaches around 80%. With a fast charger, this process happens much faster, but it’s important to note that fast chargers don’t consistently operate at their peak output. The charger only delivers its maximum capacity for a brief period, while the power input adjusts depending on the battery’s current charge level. <h2>Fast charging explained</h2>Fast charging uses higher power levels to recharge a battery more quickly by increasing the voltage or current supplied. Modern fast-charging systems rely on specialised chargers and batteries that can handle the increased power without causing damage. Technologies such as <keyword id="22604355" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="usb-power-delivery" source="keywords">USB Power Delivery</keyword> (USB-PD and Qualcomm <keyword id="24069276" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="quick-charge" source="keywords">Quick Charge</keyword> help regulate power delivery by communicating between the charger and the device, adjusting based on battery capacity and charge level. Fast charging starts quickly when the battery is low, but slows as the battery nears full capacity to prevent overheating and protect battery longevity. <h2>Why Do Batteries Degrade Over Time?</h2>Repeated charging and discharging take a toll on batteries, but the primary factor behind battery degradation is heat. Excessive heat can cause the battery's internal structure to crystallise, reducing its efficiency. This is why the goal of many manufacturers is to minimise heat generation during the charging process. Over the years, companies have developed technologies to reduce heat in the battery and mitigate its negative effects on the overall battery health. While fast charging is convenient, it can degrade the battery over time if not managed properly. The higher power levels generate more heat, accelerating battery wear and reducing capacity over multiple charging cycles. Modern batteries and chargers are equipped with features, such as temperature sensors and power regulation systems, to minimise damage. Although fast charging can shorten battery lifespan when used frequently, devices often slow the charging speed as they approach full capacity to mitigate these effects. As a result, the battery may not last as long as with slower charging, requiring more frequent recharges over time. <h2>Charging technologies over time</h2>Smartphone brands, especially in India, have been at the forefront of charging technology innovations: OnePlus launched <keyword id="24069277" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="warp-charge" source="keywords">Warp Charge</keyword> in 2019 with 30W charging, and now offers solutions up to 150W. Xiaomi introduced <keyword id="24069278" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hypercharge" source="keywords">HyperCharge</keyword> in 2021 with 120W, and is working on a 300W solution for full charges in under 10 minutes. Oppo debuted SuperVOOC in 2018, starting at 50W, and is aiming for 300W charging. Realme launched Dart Charge in 2020 with 65W and in 2024, showcased 320W SuperSonic charging. Samsung has used <keyword id="24069279" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="adaptive-fast-charging" source="keywords">Adaptive Fast Charging</keyword> since 2014, and now focuses on wireless charging and long-term battery health. <keyword id="19894961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="apple" source="keywords">Apple</keyword> introduced MagSafe in 2020, prioritising eco-friendly wireless charging advancements. <h2>Consumer perceptions and misconceptions</h2>Many consumers believe fast charging always damages batteries, but modern devices are designed with features to manage heat and voltage, minimising harm. Another common misconception is that using third-party chargers will destroy the battery, but reputable third-party chargers that meet safety standards are safe to use. Some people worry that fast charging is inherently unsafe, but certified chargers follow strict regulations to prevent damage. It’s also often assumed that fast charging continues at high speeds until the battery reaches 100%, but in fact, most systems slow down near full capacity to protect the battery. Lastly, people may believe that all chargers offer fast charging, but fast charging only works with devices and chargers that support the same technology, like USB-PD or Quick Charge. <h2>Best practices for charging</h2>To extend <keyword id="158949" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="battery-life" source="Orion">battery life</keyword>, it’s best to avoid letting your battery drop below 20% or charge above 80% frequently, as extreme charge levels can strain the battery. Always use certified chargers and cables to ensure stable power delivery. Keep your device cool while charging, as excessive heat can cause damage. Avoid heavy usage during charging, as it generates heat. Enable "optimised charging" feature, available on many devices, to regulate charging speed and patterns. If fast charging is necessary, use it sparingly and rely on slower charging for routine use. Finally, unplug the charger once the device is fully charged to prevent unnecessary trickle charging over time. <h2>The future of smartphone batteries</h2>Looking ahead, the future of smartphone batteries includes promising advancements in solid-state and graphene technologies, which could offer faster charging, longer battery life, and higher energy density. Additionally, sodium-ion and lithium-sulphur batteries are being investigated as eco-friendly alternatives. <keyword id="20016522" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gan" source="keywords">GaN</keyword> (gallium nitride) technology is paving the way for ultra-fast chargers, and wireless and over-the-air charging innovations promise to provide smarter, greener, and more efficient solutions. By understanding how batteries work, the impact of fast charging, and best practices for maintaining battery health, consumers can make informed choices that balance convenience and long-term battery performance.

Speed vs. Longevity: The impact of fast charging on your smartphone battery life

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Drivers who deliver Amazon packages shared things they wish customers would stop doing.</li><li>Not leaving a light on or a clear walkway can make it harder for a package to arrive safely.</li></ul>Amid <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/deals/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-2024-7">Prime Day deals</a>, you've probably heard or said, "I'll order it on Amazon" at least once in the past week.But it's important to remember who is actually getting those packages to your doorstep — <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-started-delivery-business-after-working-for-doordash-amazon-flex-2024-3">delivery drivers</a>.So, Business Insider asked Amazon delivery drivers what they wish customers would stop doing to ensure their <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ups-is-testing-a-program-with-latch-to-deliver-packages-securely-2018-7">packages are delivered safely</a> and efficiently. Here's what they said.<h2 id="acdfda11-dd78-4d6d-9dab-dd37bc051f19">Keeping their pets outside on delivery day</h2>If you are expecting a package, it's helpful to keep your pets properly secured and away from the entrance of your home."If you have a delivery planned for that day, please keep pets inside to ensure driver safety and allow for a successful delivery," Roni Guterriez, a delivery driver who works with Amazon via Centurion Deliveries, told BI.<h2 id="76ee3ee5-75c3-49fb-8ab1-3836b6a233b4">Not leaving a porch light on</h2>In order for packages to arrive safely and intact, it's important that the drivers are also safely able to get around.Guterriez said he wishes more customers would keep their porch lights on, especially when they are expecting packages in the evening.<h2 id="8572d45e-9517-4cea-9ede-a045f3a2fc09">Asking drivers for packages when they aren't by your residence</h2>Although you might think you're doing a driver a favor by asking them to hand you a package while they're a few houses down, it can actually be more of a hassle."We cannot mark a package as 'delivered' if we are not within a certain range of the delivery location," Guterriez said.<h2 id="3d8e1c5c-07c2-4ec8-b42f-56911021cf17">Not clearing the driveway during inclement weather</h2>If you live in an area that's prone to harsh weather, especially snow, then it can be dangerous for anyone to be outside, especially delivery drivers.Adam Landry, a delivery driver who works with Amazon via Gruntastic Logistics, said it can be frustrating when homeowners or landlords don't leave a clear walkway for them."If you live in a cold area, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-ice-melt">salt your driveway</a> and walkway so drivers can have easy access to your doorstep," he told BI.<div type="image" title="Amazon package at door" height="3456" width="5184" msid="111842066" hostid="261" sizebytes="842406"></div><h2 id="fef97bc7-bd50-41a1-baf2-6561326a4755">Requesting that delivery drivers put packages inside your mailbox</h2>This may seem like a smart measure to ensure your package won't get stolen; however, Amazon delivery drivers can't do this in the US."We are not allowed to — it's a federal offense," Guterriez told BI.By law, only a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-us-postal-carriers-want-you-to-know">US Postal Service worker</a> or the owner of a mailbox can put something in a mailbox.<h2 id="fac22a53-6747-4c76-aa00-6e6bde4ebbd4">Never updating old delivery instructions</h2>You may want a delivery driver to tuck a smaller package under your doormat for safekeeping. But this might not be the case with your next one.Guterriez said customers should make sure they remove delivery instructions from their accounts if they no longer apply.<h2 id="ac01d45d-9e28-48a5-8133-964944b9f783">Leaving delivery instructions that aren't clear</h2>Nancy Sanchez, a delivery driver who works with Amazon via Prolific Logistics, said it can be difficult when <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-delivery-driver-rules-tracking-app-pee-bottles-2021-4">delivery instructions</a> aren't specific enough."It helps drivers a ton if you add detailed delivery instructions, something like: 'Please place the package under the blue chair, on the right side of the porch,' or 'Please hide the package behind the bush by the planter on the left.'"<h2 id="67335353-7f64-495e-a28e-34293fbd3483">Having a house number you can't see from the road</h2>With so many packages to deliver, delivery drivers can get frustrated when a house isn't clearly marked."Make sure your house number is visible from the street so we can find your house easily," Landry told BI.It's even better if it's illuminated so they can easily see it at night, too.

Amazon delivery drivers share 8 things they wish customers would stop doing

We’ve all been there: waiting anxiously as your <keyword id="20544300" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-delivery-app" source="keywords">food delivery app</keyword> teases you with the promise that your order will arrive "in 20 minutes." You watch in despair as the driver appears to be stuck in some alternate universe, making you wonder if your meal is actually taking a detour through a black hole. Worse yet, the order arrives with half your items missing, or, horror of horrors, your curry has decided to bathe the entire delivery bag. And when you try to reach out for some help? You're met with a <keyword id="19896299" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="chatbot" source="keywords">chatbot</keyword> that’s more interested in looping you through pre-programmed responses than connecting you with a real human. As usual, redditors are here for your rescue. Very recently, a Reddit user took to a Bengaluru sub to share a “hack” to help those who were struggling with food delivery apps and wanted the “premium experience” without paying more for it. As per the redditor, the key is to choose <keyword id="20635241" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="cash-on-delivery" source="keywords">cash on delivery</keyword> while placing your order on <keyword id="19901323" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zomato" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Zomato" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Zomato">Zomato</keyword> or <keyword id="19896956" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Swiggy" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Swiggy" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Swiggy">Swiggy</keyword>. They went on to claim that the app would then prioritise your order over even gold customers. Further, their chatbots are more likely to connect you to a human if the delivery is delayed beyond a point or if there’s any other issue with your order. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112865820" title="The new &amp;quot;Zomato for Enterprise&amp;quot; will directly bill your company for business-related food orders" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>“The user experience remains exactly the same — once the order is delivered you can pay via any UPI app or wallet or saved card through the app but you never again have to worry about being Zomato’s starving hostage,” u/steve7evans <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/bangalore/s/YokaI9aYfC" id="docs-internal-guid-b04dfa38-7fff-1b3e-b0be-47598d49afdf">wrote</a>. Many users shared their bad experiences with the delivery apps and <keyword id="19925749" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="customer-support" source="keywords">customer support</keyword>. While some agreed that they got the order faster than usual after opting for <keyword id="21690601" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cod" source="keywords">COD</keyword>, some felt that the experience is rather subjective. “I'm always able to connect with an agent. And I am always offered a refund generally when I complain. But I only complain in case of a genuine issue. Maybe because I don't abuse their system?” read one of the comments on the thread. However, this hack isn’t about cheating the system or stiffing hard-working delivery partners. The OP clarifies that this is about ensuring that you get the level of service you deserve, minus the unnecessary hassles. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111758782" title="Zomato and Swiggy increase platform fee by 20% – food deliveries to get costlier" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

The “ultimate Zomato and Swiggy hack” might be opting for COD while placing your order, claim redditors!

In today's world, almost any activity can be carried out online. Even dating. While the idea of finding love by swiping left and right on your smartphone may sound super convenient, it often carries an element of risk. After all, the person on the other end could be anything. In a recent case, a <keyword id="20759324" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bengaluru-woman" source="keywords">Bengaluru woman</keyword> shared a chilling account of how her former <keyword id="23656848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bumble-date" source="keywords">Bumble date</keyword> used his access at a food delivery platform to stalk her after their relationship ended. The disturbing story has drawn attention to the risks posed by data being misused by those with insider access. <h2><keyword id="20066274" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bumble" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Bumble" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Bumble">Bumble</keyword> date gone wrong </h2> According to a <keyword id="19951562" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="LinkedIn" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="LinkedIn" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="LinkedIn">LinkedIn</keyword> post by Rupal Madhup, her friend's nightmare began when her relationship with a man, who worked at a food delivery platform, ended. What followed was nothing short of disturbing. The man allegedly flagged her account in the company’s system, giving him access to her real-time delivery locations. He used this information to track her movements, sending her messages like, “Why are you not ordering at your own place at 2 AM? Where are you?” and “Ordering chocolates, are you on your period?” His obsessive behaviour escalated into full-blown digital stalking, where he would question her movements and orders, leaving her shaken. What makes this incident especially alarming is how he used his professional privileges to access her personal data, turning an ordinary breakup into a terrifying experience. In today’s world, where data is valuable, this case underscores how dangerous it can be when such sensitive information falls into the wrong hands. The situation has also prompted discussions around whether digital platforms have robust enough systems to detect and prevent unauthorised access to user data. In an age where every action—from ordering food to taking a ride—leaves a digital footprint, ensuring privacy and security is more crucial than ever. <h2>Tips for staying safe while dating online</h2> As online dating becomes more common, it’s important to take precautions to protect your privacy and personal safety. Here are some tips to keep in mind: 1. Avoid sharing sensitive information like your home address or work location early on. Stick to general locations and public places until you feel comfortable. 2. Many dating apps offer safety features like in-app messaging or the ability to block or report users. Make sure to use these tools if something feels off. 3. Some apps have location-sharing features, which can expose your whereabouts. Keep these settings off unless absolutely necessary, and don’t share your real-time location with someone you’ve just met. 4. If someone is overly interested in where you are at all times or tries to pressure you into sharing personal details, consider it a warning sign and disengage. 5. Before meeting someone in person, try to verify their identity through social media or mutual connections. It’s always a good idea to get a better sense of who they are. 6. Always meet in a public place for the first few dates. This ensures your safety and gives you time to gauge the person before getting more comfortable.

Bumble date turns stalker: Bengaluru woman claims her ex stalked her using location from food delivery app

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A Florida man admitted to shooting a Walmart drone last week, law enforcement officials said.</li><li>For the past decade, gun owners have been shooting at UAVs — in violation of Federal regulations.</li></ul>Retailers have had to solve a long list of technological, regulatory, and commercial challenges in order to offer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-prime-air-drone-delivery-cost-63-per-package-2025-2022-4">deliveries by drone</a>.But one complication remains especially difficult to predict: US gun owners.In the latest episode, the Lake County Sheriff <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/LakeCountySO/posts/pfbid0J59p2iLHKX1XjsooBtJSejwVyyZ7uYVLZyRm1XWgRLFxHjgc62uQfHuKdtD4mRUxl">said</a> last week that Dennis Winn admitted to shooting a Walmart drone with a 9mm pistol as it flew near his home in Florida.According to the arrest affidavit, Winn told officers he had prior experience with drones flying over his house and believed the aircraft to be surveilling him.He then went inside, got his gun from a safe, came out, and fired one shot at the drone, which was roughly 75 feet in the air, the affidavit said."I then told him that he had struck a Walmart drone," the Sheriff's deputy said in the affidavit. "The defendant looked in disbelief and questioned, 'Really?'"The Sheriff's Office said a bullet hole was found in the payload area of the drone after it flew back to a nearby Walmart.The office said Winn was taken into custody and faces three charges, including "shooting at an aircraft."In the past decade, some US gun owners have shot at unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, but what many may not realize is they are committing a serious crime in the eyes of the federal government.The Federal Aviation Administration doesn't distinguish between a small drone and a jumbo passenger jet when it comes to attempts to sabotage commercial aircraft: shooting at one is a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title18/html/USCODE-2023-title18-partI-chap2-sec32.htm">felony</a>, punishable by a fine and up to 20 years in prison.Even though the FAA has held this position since 2016, the message doesn't seem to have gotten through to some people. The agency only recently started allowing unmanned commercial aircraft to fly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-mk-27-delivery-drones-faa-safety-2024-5">beyond the operator's direct line of sight</a>.In the past two years alone, incidents in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/burke-county-mans-drone-shot-down-by-gunfire-deputies-investigating/IJYZBFEBBVE7DDPOSBMRXPZGIM/">North Carolina</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/police-drone-shot-down-florida-d6591ea6bfb9bf0bd55057a888dbe2db">Florida</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2024/02/01/deputies-man-who-shot-at-shasta-sheriffs-drone-on-the-loose/72443724007/">California</a> made headlines when individuals with guns targeted drones — two of which belonged to law enforcement.As more retailers use drones, armed Americans pose a potential complication to deliveries by air.Two years ago, when Amazon was rolling out a test of its drone delivery service in California, The Washington Post <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/06/20/amazon-delivery-drones-california-cowboy-horses/">reported</a> that one man at a local archery shop joked that it was "Target practice!"Now Walmart is expanding its use of drones beyond the initial test markets, where the company <a target="_blank" href="https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2024/01/09/sky-high-ambitions-walmart-to-make-largest-drone-delivery-expansion-of-any-us-retailer">says</a> it has conducted over 20,000 safe deliveries. The retail giant's goal is to have the "largest drone delivery footprint of any US retailer."And Walmart isn't alone. Earlier this year, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/doordash-testing-drone-delivery-wendys-virginia-town-2024-3">DoorDash announced a drone delivery test with a Wendy's</a> restaurant in Virginia, and several <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chick-fil-a-tests-drone-delivery-in-florida-2023-11">Chick-fil-A restaurants have tested the tech</a> in recent years as well.Perhaps if drones become common enough, people will simply stop noticing — or shooting — them.

You Searched For "delivery" and got 11 results

Food deliveries keep getting more expensive — but we can't stop ordering

Nora Redmond

Amazon targets smart glasses that could guide delivery drivers to where to drop off packages, report says

Alex Bitter

Ordering delivery has gotten wildly expensive

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A Walmart exec explains the surprising reason low-income shoppers pay for a delivery membership

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Domino's CEO says customers are picking up their own pizzas, and it reveals a bleak reality about the economy

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Some Walmart and Walgreens stores are locking up so much stuff that delivery workers are avoiding them

Alex Bitter

Speed vs. Longevity: The impact of fast charging on your smartphone battery life

Kapil Yadav

Amazon delivery drivers share 8 things they wish customers would stop doing

Casey Clark

The “ultimate Zomato and Swiggy hack” might be opting for COD while placing your order, claim redditors!

BI India Bureau

Bumble date turns stalker: Bengaluru woman claims her ex stalked her using location from food delivery app

Divyanshi Sharma

Police say a man shot a Walmart drone. Armed Americans could pose a headache for air deliveries.

Dominick Reuter

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