Have you chosen your request? Analysis of online food delivery companies in Brazil

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the performance of online food delivery companies in Brazil and to analyze the content of the websites of these companies with a view to its use as a site for conducting business transactions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used a qualitative and exploratory approach through the collection and analysis of data from a sample of 30 companies operating in the online delivery sector in Brazil. Reviews of their websites have also been conducted through parameters involving aspects of content, usability and functionality.

Findings

The Brazilian main platforms received large foreign investment, growing with the acquisition of companies, making them market leaders. There was a greater presence of these companies on social networks, publicizing and interacting with their customers, increasing business visibility and attracting new prospects. The results of the sites analysis showed that the dimension “content” was the one with the highest incidence of attendance, followed by the dimension “functionality” and then the dimension “usability.” The downside was the access security parameter since only 54 percent of websites showed the use of encryption capabilities and secure site.

Originality/value

The online delivery service is growing rapidly, bringing together innovation and convenience to their customers, coupled with ease of access to mobile phones and internet, that contributed toward the emergence of a large number of platforms that offer this service in Brazil; despite being a relatively new service, its growth was accompanied by a strong sector consolidation process and by the creation of large groups supported by international capital.

Citation

Pigatto, G., Machado, J.G.d.C.F., Negreti, A.d.S. and Machado, L.M. (2017), "Have you chosen your request? Analysis of online food delivery companies in Brazil", British Food Journal, Vol. 119 No. 3, pp. 639-657. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-05-2016-0207