As more than 1,000 restaurants across Singapore join the platform, Deliveroo announces new measures to support its partners, some of Singapore’s best-loved restaurants, during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Since Friday (15 May), Deliveroo customers are able to opt in to add a tip to their order by nominating a tip amount to add to their bill. The amount will go directly to the restaurant in full and will not be subject to any commission. Deliveroo will match the first 10,000 customer tips until 1 June, which will go directly to the restaurant partner.
Since stricter measures kicked in on 7 April under Singapore’s Circuit Breaker period, restaurant revenues have fallen with dining-in being banned. While restaurants have pivoted to delivery-only and takeaway, many still struggle to generate sufficient sales to match their takings under normal circumstances. At this challenging time for the restaurant sector, Deliveroo hopes this support will be valuable to partners.
Ahead of the tipping functionality launch, Deliveroo has published detailed guidance on how restaurants can run delivery-only and takeaway outlets safely, covering issues such as minimising contact, advice on packaging and hygiene best practices. The company has also developed bespoke online marketing tools for restaurants to let customers know they are operating delivery services.
Deliveroo has also introduced a new weekly payment service to boost cash for its restaurant partners. Restaurants are now able to receive money made from deliveries within a week, instantly improving the cash flow of thousands of restaurants across Singapore. This new payment process will give restaurants faster access to their delivery revenue, helping them cover their costs, whether it’s paying staff wages or electricity bills. This service is available to restaurants free of charge with Deliveroo covering the increased banking charges for rapid payments.
Responding to the needs of restaurants during this challenging time, Deliveroo has also:
- Established teams of people across the business to onboard and support restaurants who want to be able to deliver.
- Refocused all marketing initiatives to profile local restaurants and highlight delivery as ‘open for business’ to encourage consumers to support their local restaurants.
- Introduced mandatory ‘contact-free delivery’ so that restaurants can give confidence to consumers that delivery is conducted safely.
- Enabled restaurants to expand their reach through marketplace, where customers can order from restaurants on Deliveroo but restaurants use their own riders to deliver.
- Launched a new capability development pack valued at more than S$1,500 per outlet, in partnership with Enterprise Singapore, to help both new and existing restaurants pivot to delivery-only and takeaway.
- Collaborated with the government to provide more support for restaurants
Sarah Tan, Director of Growth and Marketing, and Interim General Manager, Deliveroo Singapore, said: “Our business is based on supporting local restaurants, both big and small, and helping their businesses grow through delivery. Small homegrown eateries and restaurants, in particular, are facing massive challenges to stay open during and beyond the extended circuit breaker period, and our focus is on how best we can help the local F&B community get through these tough times together. We know that Singaporeans love food, just as much as we do, which is why we’re introducing this feature to enable Deliveroo customers to show their appreciation to their favourite local restaurants directly through the app. We’ll also be making this generosity go further by matching the first 10,000 tips, and invite Singaporeans to contribute a little extra tip to support the local restaurants they love.”
Ms. Koh, Owner, Selegie Soya Bean said: “As a homegrown business since 2001, we are trying our best to stay open so customers who enjoy our food won’t be disappointed. Every little bit helps right now and I’m so grateful to our customers who are helping us keep going. The reality though is that many restaurants like us are struggling to stay afloat during this period and our challenges have continued to intensify with the tighter circuit breaker measures in place. We hope that Singaporeans will continue to support us by ordering from us, and with Deliveroo’s new tipping function, even a small tip will go a long way in helping us keep our doors open and get through this tough time.”