BREAKING NEWS: Getir and Gorillas Exit Germany
BREAKING NEWS: Getir and Gorillas Exit Germany
Two popular grocery delivery apps, Getir and Gorillas, are leaving Germany by mid-May, signaling a major shift in the fast delivery industry. Getir, a Turkish company, is exiting Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands to focus on its home market in Turkey. It had already left France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal earlier this year. In Germany, this decision means Gorillas, which Getir bought for over €1 billion in 2022, will also close. This move will leave 1,800 Getir workers without jobs, and its warehouses will shut down over the next couple of weeks.
Profitability Challenges
The collapse of these services is due to profitability issues that have plagued the entire quick-commerce industry. The pandemic saw these companies boom, relying on huge amounts of investor money to rapidly expand and offer big discounts. But delivering groceries super fast, often within minutes, requires a lot of warehouses, couriers, and complex logistics. With rising rents and higher costs, it became impossible for them to keep up.
Worker Backlash and Regulation
Getir and Gorillas also faced backlash from workers over safety concerns and stressful working conditions. They were criticized for classifying their couriers as "self-employed" contractors rather than regular employees, denying them basic worker rights. New EU rules are being introduced to prevent such practices and offer better protection to delivery workers.
Flink Takes the Lead
With Getir and Gorillas gone, Flink, another Berlin-based delivery app, will now be Germany’s market leader. But even as Flink grows, the company still struggles with profitability, which raises questions about whether fast delivery can become a sustainable business model. Ultimately, the struggles of Getir and Gorillas highlight that even popular and convenient businesses need solid foundations to thrive in the long run.
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