Takealot’s food delivery platform Mr. D Food is now testing the delivery of essential goods to certain locations in South Africa during the nationwide lockdown. Deliveries take place from 08:00 to 17:00 on weekdays.
The company is planning to expand outlets and trading times as soon as they can, emails from the delivery service read, “Look out for updates!” As of now, Norwood is one of the selected testing areas in Johannesburg.
“No need to step outside! Get food, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks delivered weekdays,” reads a statement on the official app. “Items number limits may apply.”
Mr. D says the deliveries will be contactless, stating: “In support of social distancing, all Mr D Food deliveries are now contactless. Our drivers have been instructed not to make physical contact with any customers and to maintain at a safe distance. Bags will be placed on a surface indicated by you, the driver will then back away and allow you to pick out your order yourself.”
Cash payments have also been deactivated as the company is trying to encourage contactless transactions. Customers are encouraged to “use one of our other safe and secure electronic payment methods available in-app like credit/debit card, instant EFT or eBucks.”
Further, Mr. D is making a concerted effort to enhance hygiene practices of its drivers “in-line with WHO guidelines” and have implemented new policies to match this. They are also giving access to hand sanitizers to drivers, instructing them to sanitize before and after each delivery or collection.
Before the total 21-day lockdown was announced, Mr D Food, like other food delivery services, was offering contactless delivery from restaurants.
Former Mr Delivery
The company was originally known as Mr Delivery, founded in Cape Town in 1992, before being fully acquired by Takealot in 2014, and underwent a complete, top-down digital makeover and rebranding in 2015 as Mr. D Food.
It has since become a 100% online business, with 95% of all orders placed on its mobile app. Since the end of 2019, the app has seen more than 2-million downloads and boasts more than 700,000 monthly active users, according to Business Tech. It is the third most popular app with South African iOS users.
By Luis Monzon
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