MENA Food Delivery Achieves $8.7 in Sales per Restaurant
In 2023, residents placed 6% more delivery orders and spent 5% more than the previous year.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is witnessing a hike in restaurant delivery, driven by increasing consumer demand, as per recent data from Syrve MENA, a provider of restaurant software in the Middle East, and Admitad, a platform for partnership marketing.
In an emailed press release to Inc. Arabia, the data showed a 10% year-on-year (YoY) climb in delivery orders during the first quarter (Q1) of 2024.
In 2023, residents placed 6% more delivery orders and spent 5% more than the previous year.
Moreover, in the UAE, the online food delivery market is predicted to reach a revenue of $67.12 million by 2024, with an expected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.55%, leading to a projected market volume of $87.92 million by 2029.
In Saudi Arabia, the number of users in the meal delivery market is anticipated to reach 19.5 million by 2029, with a projected user penetration rate of 42.9% in 2024.
UAE restaurants receive an average of 228,740 orders per year and $8.71 million in sales in one restaurant, according to Syrve MENA data.
The number of delivery orders has exceeded 600,000 per year, with $126 million in sales for fast-food chains specializing in delivery.
The study shed light on the prevalence of mobile convenience in the MENA food delivery landscape, with over 70% of all orders placed through smartphones, reflecting the region's high mobile penetration rate. Promotions play a significant role in attracting customers. Over half of users utilize coupons and promo codes, while over a quarter benefit from cashback rewards, emphasizing the effectiveness of loyalty programs.
"Content also plays a crucial role, with blogs and thematic web pages influencing over 20% of delivery orders. Well-targeted contextual advertising adds another 18% to the mix," stated Anna Gidirim, CEO of Admitad in the report.
Orders typically peak during March and April, coinciding with Ramadan, with a secondary surge in September and October. January and February, however, are generally slower months.
The study also explores cuisine-specific trends. Arabic cuisine experiences a surge in the mornings, with 71% of orders placed between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, with kebabs as the top choice for delivery.
Fast food also dominates the delivery arena, with a staggering 89% of orders placed for delivery. Their peak hours align with others, from 8:00 to 11:00 PM, with churrasco and rolls as the top delivery items.