April 25, 2024, 10:57 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Ordering groceries from the comfort of your couch instead of trudging through the supermarket: Modern delivery services make this possible. But as convenient as the concept may be for consumers, it apparently doesn’t work sustainably. Two providers are being forced to implement cost-cutting measures and are withdrawing from numerous markets, including Germany.
When the delivery service Gorillas launched in Germany, it seemed almost revolutionary. Ordered via app, the desired groceries—from fresh fruits and vegetables to baked goods and refrigerated items—arrived directly at the door. In less than 10 minutes! But soon, Gorillas made headlines mostly for negative reasons (employee protests, financial losses). In 2022, the Turkish service Getir acquired it. The apps of both providers looked completely identical, and the warehouses were used by both equally. However, that has now come to an end, as both Getir and the associated Gorillas are ceasing their service in Germany.
Delivery Service Getir Apparently Withdraws from Germany
The decision is not surprising. For weeks, there has been speculation about the future of the providers and their employees. By May 15, Getir and Gorillas plan to exit the German market. They are also ceasing operations in other markets such as the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The plan and the wish of the investors is to focus entirely on the Turkish home market in the future.
Some of the approximately 1,800 employees in Germany have received their termination notices in recent days, and the warehouses are to be gradually closed in the coming weeks. For the employees and customers, this marks the sad end of a crisis at Gorillas and Getir that has been ongoing for some time. Like its competitors Flink and others, the Turkish rapid delivery service is apparently generating massive losses abroad. “Manager Magazin” reports from internal documents about nearly 800 million U.S. dollars (approximately 753 million euros) burned in 2023.
Downward Trend for Months
Until recently, a takeover of the delivery service Flink by Getir was under discussion. As recently as March, it seemed that a corresponding deal could be completed within a few weeks. “Manager Magazin” also reported on this. But now it’s the end of April, and the topic is off the table. In fact, Getir first made headlines with a wave of layoffs in August of last year. The delivery service announced that it would part with 2,500 employees. Shortly before, it had withdrawn from the markets in Italy, Spain, and Portugal.