Uber and Delivery Hero: Delivery services rely on quick commerce

The global food delivery market is undergoing rapid transformation as major players like Uber and Delivery Hero seek to expand their reach through strategic acquisitions and new business models. Uber has announced its intention to acquire Delivery Hero, a Berlin-based food delivery service, signaling a shift toward consolidating power in a sector characterized by thin margins, fierce competition, and high operational costs. The move reflects a broader trend as companies aim to capitalize on the growing demand for quick commerce, deliveries within minutes rather than days, and diversify beyond traditional restaurant meals into everyday goods such as groceries, medicines, and electronics. According to research firm Precedence Research, the global online food delivery market reached $257 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to nearly $285 billion in 2026, with expectations of reaching almost $695 billion by 2035. This growth is driven by increasing smartphone usage, urbanization, and the rise in single-person households. These factors have enabled platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Delivery Hero to invest heavily in expanding their delivery infrastructure, reducing delivery times, and attracting more customers through convenience and speed. Despite this expansion, the financial margins in the food delivery industry remain slim. In the final quarter of 2025, Uber’s food delivery segment operated with a margin of just under four percent, while Delivery Hero recorded approximately 1.8 percent for the entire year. High operating costs, particularly related to drivers and logistics, have intensified pressure on companies to consolidate operations and find efficiencies. Thomas Gitzel, chief economist at VP Bank, noted that Uber's acquisition of Delivery Hero could create synergies that help offset these challenges. The competitive landscape is further complicated by the potential entry of tech giants like Amazon. According to Chris-Oliver Schickentanz of Capitell AG, Amazon has invested significantly in building its own logistics network, which could soon extend beyond grocery deliveries to include restaurant orders and other consumer goods. This poses additional pressure on existing players to innovate and adapt quickly to maintain their market positions. The future of the food delivery industry appears increasingly tied to quick commerce, a model focused on delivering products within minutes. Companies are leveraging small, strategically located warehouses known as “dark stores” to fulfill orders rapidly in densely populated areas. This approach allows for greater efficiency and faster response times, aligning with consumer demands for immediate gratification. Grand View Research estimates the global quick commerce market to be worth around $298 billion in 2026, with projections suggesting it could grow to approximately $1.3 trillion by 2033—a compound annual growth rate of 23.5 percent. Delivery Hero has been making strides in this area, reporting a significant increase in the value of goods delivered through its quick commerce services in 2025. The company’s ability to scale this segment will likely play a crucial role in determining the success of its partnership with Uber. As the market continues to evolve, the integration of Delivery Hero into Uber’s ecosystem could reshape the competitive dynamics of the industry. With both companies investing heavily in technology and logistics, the coming years will see increased innovation in delivery methods, pricing strategies, and customer engagement. The outcome of this merger will depend on how effectively the combined entity can navigate regulatory hurdles, manage operational complexities, and respond to emerging threats from other tech-driven competitors.