Fast grocery-delivery apps face backlash from cities.
February 2022
The fast grocery-delivery service, Getir, operates by delivering groceries within 10 minutes of ordering. The company uses “dark stores” as distribution hubs to achieve this quick delivery. This has led to complaints from city authorities about the disruption caused in neighborhoods. Amsterdam and Rotterdam have banned new dark stores from opening in response. New York City Council also claims that the apps misuse empty retail units. The use of vacant retail spaces as distribution hubs has become common for delivery services, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Getir’s operations have faced criticism for causing noise, and cities like Paris and Lyon have taken measures to regulate dark stores and enforce rules about opening warehouses.
Getir aims to work with city authorities to find a solution and minimize disruption. The company uses electric vehicles to contain noise and prevent air or noise pollution. The business benefits customers and creates jobs in the cities where it operates. Getir has launched in multiple European cities, including the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain, and in December 2021, in New York. The company aims to work with the local and national governments to find a sustainable way to keep its business operating.
The article is “Fast grocery-delivery apps face backlash from cities.“