Bubble bursts for rapid food delivery as UK firms shed workers

After accelerated growth during the pandemic, grocery drop-off services such as Gorillas, Getir and Zapp are feeling the pinch

Rapid delivery firms are shedding riders and closing warehouses across the UK as the bubble bursts for ultra-quick grocery drop-off services.

Some of the biggest names in the on-demand grocery sector, which persuaded cash-rich investors during the pandemic they were going to replace corner shop purchases with 15-minute deliveries, are pulling out of cities and towns as consumers desert their apps and doubts grow about the viability of the industry.