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Revitalizing Traditional Markets: How Delivery Platforms Connect Small Business Owners to New Consumers  

At a glance

  • Baemin brings new customers to markets struggling with loss of footfall
  • Moving onto the Baemin platform provides sales surge for traditional market in Donghae
  • Traditional Markets a fast-growing part of Baemin platform

In parts of Korea, changes in populations and shopping habits have left some traditional markets with a loss of footfall. The example of the 80-year-old ‘Dongjokbada Jungang Market‘ in Donghae, Gangwon Province, shows how delivery platforms can support traditional market vendors in reaching new customers.

The population of Donghae has been in decline for 10 years and the market, near the port, was fighting for survival. But now orders for grocery items such as meat, dried seafood and soup packs from the market’s vendors are coming in via smartphones, bringing new life to the market and its vendors. 

When an order is placed via the Baemin platform, participating vendors can pack up the order and place it at a special delivery centre, where riders will pick it up and take it to customers. In the three months following the launch on the Baemin platform, average monthly sales at Donghae market jumped 27-fold, according to a local press report. Local associations hope the online boost will also encourage customers to return to the physical market for their shopping needs in the future.  

Baemin maintains a supportive policy, providing this digital infrastructure with zero commission and zero delivery fees borne by the merchants, helping to foster growth. Over the past year, quick commerce sales at traditional market shops on Baemin increased by 196% year-on-year, and the number of orders rose by 170%. 

“The digital transformation of traditional markets can serve as a starting point for securing new sales channels and attracting new customers in an environment where online consumption has become part of daily life.” 

Joonghyun Kim, Head of Sustainable Management Department at Woowa Brothers

By connecting legacy local commerce with advanced logistics, Woowa Brothers continues to foster a resilient ecosystem that empowers small businesses to build sustainable livelihoods.

Building Better Businesses: Training Restaurant Partners to Drive Operational Efficiency Through AI in South Korea

At a glance

  • Woowa Brothers launched AI education program for restaurant owners
  • Aims to bridge the divide between awareness and adoption of AI for restaurant partners
  • Curriculum structures daily restaurant challenges into practical modules covering digital marketing, menu design and workforce optimization
  • Equipping merchants with the tools to build efficient, future-proof businesses

To support the growth of restaurant owners, Woowa Brothers launched an AI education curriculum at Baemin Academy to bridge the digital divide for small and medium-sized restaurant partners. 

This initiative responds directly to a survey of 836 Baemin Academy members, which revealed that while 91.5% of independent operators recognize AI as an essential tool for future efficiency and 58.9% fear falling behind without it, only 32.1% currently utilize AI. By offering high-quality technology training, the new program builds merchant confidence and helps small businesses adopt AI tools.

Stats into Action: Opportunities in AI Adoption

91%

independent operators recognize AI as an essential tool

58%

fear falling behind without AI

The new AI curriculum focuses on several core themes, with three tiers available –  from concise beginner video lessons through to advanced in-person sessions held at the Baemin Academy. It groups everyday storefront challenges into targeted learning blocks that translate complex technology into actual day-to-day restaurant operations. Training is focused on high-impact operational themes, including promotional marketing, channel optimization, menu development, and workforce management. 

To ensure long-term sustainability, the initiative also features an “AI Ambassadors” network made up of selected restaurant owners who have successfully used the training to solve business bottlenecks. These merchants will anchor and share their success stories with peer businesses nationwide. 

“We have developed this AI roadmap to help restaurant owners improve their operational efficiency using AI. We hope this program provides a valuable opportunity for restaurant owners looking to adopt AI as a practical tool for their business,”

Yongkyu Kwon, Head of Baemin Academy Department at Woowa Brothers

Through this framework, Woowa Brothers and Baemin Academy pair local commerce with modern technology to foster a more resilient, future-proof restaurant ecosystem.

Women’s Month: Developing careers at PedidosYa

PedidosYa employees celebrating Women's Month in Uruguay

At a glance

  • PedidosYa is empowering women and immigrants in Uruguay
  • Immigrant entry-level hire to Senior leadership, Rosana Salas progressed from picker to Shift Supervisor
  • Managing Aguada, one of Uruguay's largest and highest-demand stores

For many individuals entering the platform economy, a first job is often a search for stability. However, when paired with a culture of curiosity and structured support, these roles can become the foundation for significant professional advancement. In Uruguay, PedidosYa is demonstrating how investing in talent, particularly women and immigrants, creates a more resilient and skilled operational workforce.

Rosana Salas arrived in Uruguay from Cuba two years ago. Like many immigrants, her initial goal was financial stability. Joining PedidosYa as a "picker" (order preparer), she quickly found she wanted to learn more. Rosana began seeking the "why" behind every process, studying key performance indicators (KPIs) and the underlying mechanics of the business.

This proactive approach caught the attention of her leadership. "They saw a potential in me that I hadn't even seen in myself," Rosana recalls. This recognition is a cornerstone of the PedidosYa talent strategy, which identifies high-potential individuals and provides the opportunities necessary for them to grow into leadership.

Rosana Salas at PedidosYa operations hub in Uruguay

Rosana’s journey to becoming a Senior at the Carrasco hub required hard work to bridge a cultural knowledge gap. Coming from Cuba, she was unfamiliar with many of the commercial products common in the Uruguayan market. To ensure precision and avoid errors, she dedicated herself to an intensive learning process, mastering the inventory to ensure every customer order was perfect.

Today, Rosana serves as a Shift Supervisor at the Aguada store. As one of the largest hubs in the country, Aguada represents a high-pressure environment with relentless demand. Her journey from an immigrant seeking stability to a leader managing one of the country’s busiest logistics hubs is a testament to the power of internal mobility.

"In PedidosYa, we learn something new every day. Every opportunity becomes a reality when you dare to take it."

Rosana Salas
PedidosYa team members at work in Uruguay

As the first of four cases highlighted during Women’s Month 2026, Rosana’s story underscores a broader trend of platforms acting as "economic escalators." By rewarding curiosity with promotion, PedidosYa ensures its growth is inextricably linked to the professional success of its people, developing the next generation of female leaders in South American logistics.

Creating Pathways to Work: Supporting Youth Job Access in Egypt

Seket Rezk youth employment initiative in Egypt

At a glance

  • 56 young people supported in the first phase
  • Partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, Sonaa El Kheir Foundation, and Suez Canal Bank
  • Access to job opportunities through the logistics ecosystem
  • Provision of motorcycles and scooters to support income generation
  • Planned rollout of e-bikes to enable more sustainable mobility

Through the “Seket Rezk” initiative, talabat enables underserved youth to access income opportunities, build financial independence, and actively participate in the digital economy.

Across many communities, young people transitioning into adulthood, particularly those without strong support systems, face significant barriers to job access and financial independence. Addressing this challenge requires access to real jobs, practical tools and pathways to sustainable livelihoods.

talabat Egypt is contributing to this through “Seket Rezk”, an initiative designed to empower underserved youth by connecting them to job opportunities within the platform economy. The program was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, Sonaa El Kheir Foundation and Suez Canal Bank, bringing together public, private and non-profit expertise to deliver meaningful, long-term impact.

Young participants in the Seket Rezk program in Egypt

In its first phase, the program supported 56 young men and women, reflecting a strong commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity.

A key component of the program is equipping participants with the tools they need to succeed. Through the partnership with Suez Canal Bank, beneficiaries receive motorcycles and scooters, enabling them to generate income and participate fully in delivery operations. These assets provide a foundation for independence, stability and dignity.

Seket Rezk beneficiaries with motorcycles for delivery work

The program also includes financial inclusion elements such as access to banking services and financial literacy support, helping participants build the skills needed to manage income and plan for the future.

Looking ahead, the next phase of “Seket Rezk” will introduce electric bikes (e-bikes), reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to sustainability while expanding access to opportunity. This builds on talabat Egypt’s broader efforts to integrate electric vehicles into its fleet, with 200 e-bikes already in operation, supporting both environmental goals and access in new urban environments.

The impact of the initiative has already been recognized externally. talabat Egypt received the Athar Award from CSR Egypt for the second consecutive year, reflecting its wider commitment to sustainability and community development including programs like “Seket Rezk”.

At a Glance

56

young people supported in first phase

200

e-bikes already in operation

Breaking barriers: Enabling youth and gender inclusion in Tunisia

Female delivery rider in Tunisia breaking gender barriers

At a glance

  • Platform work offers professional autonomy and flexible hours
  • 23-year-old Tunisian mentors other young women entering the industry
  • Shows how delivery platforms enable independence and inclusion

Through its platform, Glovo is helping young Tunisians access flexible work, gain independence, and break barriers in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

In the streets of Cité Ettadhamen, the face of the local economy is shifting. For 23-year-old Maryem Addouri, riding a delivery motorcycle is not just a job, but a pathway to independence and self-determination.

Maryem entered the digital economy out of curiosity, inspired by a friend navigating the early days of app-based delivery in Tunisia. What drew her in was the autonomy it offered. Unlike traditional roles, platform work gave her control over when and how she worked, free from rigid structures and constant supervision. Now a rider for over three years, her experience highlights a key driver for the younger demographic: professional autonomy.

"There is no pressure. Especially the pressure of having bosses always looking over your shoulder."

Maryem Addouri, Glovo rider

This independence is what led her to trade the passenger seat for the handlebars, becoming a dedicated rider herself for the past three years.

In a region where youth unemployment and rigid work schedules can often stifle ambition, the platform allows Maryem to harmonize her income with her personal growth. Whether it is a professional training course, her studies, or a new hobby, the ability to choose her own hours ensures that work supports her life, rather than consuming it.

However, Maryem’s impact goes deeper than her own schedule. As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated sector, she has become a visible force for change. She is frequently approached by other young women in Tunisia who are curious but hesitant. “How can you do this as a girl?” they often ask.

Maryem’s answer is always one of encouragement. She recognizes that for many, the barrier is the fear of the unknown. By simply being visible on the streets of Tunis, she is dismantling the idea that the delivery industry has a gender. She actively mentors those who reach out, advising them that once the initial fear is set aside, the work quickly becomes an empowering routine.

As we look toward the future of the Tunisian workforce, Maryem stands as a vital KPI of our social impact. She isn’t just delivering meals; she is delivering a message of inclusion and modern economic opportunity. Her story proves that when a platform provides the right tools, the youth have the power to drive their own destiny.

From Surplus to Support: Reducing Food Waste and Strengthening Communities in Chile

PedidosYa food rescue program supporting communities in Chile

At a glance

  • +150 PedidosYa Markets in 14 Latam countries participating in food rescue
  • Supporting 1,900 social organizations, through 33 food banks
  • Reaching +300,000 people yearly & +7 million meals donated since 2023
  • In Chile, 28 PeYa markets participate in Red de Alimentos partnership

Food waste and food insecurity often exist side by side. While large volumes of surplus food go unused, many communities continue to face limited access to essential goods. Addressing this imbalance requires supply and the infrastructure to redistribute it effectively.

In Chile, PedidosYa is helping to bridge this gap through a partnership with Red de Alimentos, the country’s leading food bank network. By integrating its network of PedidosYa Market (Dmart) locations into a food rescue program, the company is enabling surplus products to be redirected to people who need them most.

As of November 2025, 28 PedidosYa Market locations in Chile actively participate in the initiative, supporting a network of 141 social organizations and reaching nearly 30,000 beneficiaries. Products ranging from fresh produce to packaged goods are collected, sorted and redistributed, ensuring that quality food is put to use.

"The collaboration with PedidosYa allows us not only to receive food, but also to sustain our operations and reach more people every day."

Red de Alimentos
Food rescue volunteers sorting surplus products at PedidosYa Market

The partnership goes beyond physical redistribution. Through a “collaboration button” integrated into the PedidosYa app, users can also make direct donations to support the food bank’s operations. This creates a closed-loop system, where technology enables both supply redistribution and community participation.

The Impact of a Single Order

For every

+150

PedidosYa Markets in 14 LATAM countries participating

An additional

+7M

meals donated since 2023

Surplus food redistribution through Red de Alimentos partnership

By combining logistics capabilities with digital infrastructure, PedidosYa is transforming how its network operates, turning delivery hubs into access points for social impact.

As part of a broader regional approach, this initiative demonstrates how platforms can contribute to more sustainable, inclusive systems – reducing waste, supporting communities and delivering value beyond transactions.

Saving Surplus, Serving People: foodora Hungary’s Fight Against Food Waste

foodora Markets paper bags being prepared for food rescue donations in Hungary

At a glance

  • 14 years of ongoing cooperation with the Hungarian Food Bank
  • Daily collection of fresh surplus from foodora Markets across 5 local regions
  • Integrated donation pathway via virtual charity restaurants
  • 900,000 tons of food wasted annually in Hungary
  • 200+ tons of food donations delivered over the last five years

Through its long-standing partnerships with local food banks and charities, foodora Hungary is transforming the logistics of food rescue, ensuring that surplus meals reach those who need them most instead of ending up in a landfill.

In Hungary, the scale of food waste is staggering: approximately 900,000 tons of food are discarded every year. To put that in perspective, if this waste were loaded onto trucks, the line would stretch all the way from Budapest to Nuremberg. Recognizing this challenge, foodora has integrated food rescue into its core operations, proving that a delivery platform can serve as a vital link between commercial surplus and community need.

The heart of this initiative lies in the daily operations of foodora Market locations. Every day, teams collect leftover baked goods, fresh vegetables, and fruit that are still perfectly good to eat but can no longer be sold. These items are then delivered to local people in need across five different regions. By leveraging its existing delivery infrastructure, foodora can move these perishables faster than traditional logistics chains.

The collaboration isn’t a new trend; foodora and the Hungarian Food Bank have worked together for 14 years. In the last five years alone, this partnership has facilitated the delivery of more than 200 tons of food donations.

For organizations like the Salvation Army, the partnership provides more than just calories.

"In addition to providing food, we also have the opportunity to connect with families or homeless people who seek us out."

Ibolya Hecker-Réz, Head of Institution at the Salvation Army

This connection allows social workers to understand underlying problems and begin a deeper process of support.

Beyond physical food rescue, foodora uses its digital platform to engage customers directly. Through virtual charity restaurants, users can donate at any time to several different partners. This turns a routine ordering moment into an act of social good, scaling individual contributions into a massive collective impact.

"At foodora, we love to give – both to our customers and to those in need. We see many families struggling to put food on the table while food ends up in the trash. We try to remedy this situation through this cooperation."

Péter Garay, Managing Director, foodora Hungary

By combining 14 years of expertise with real-time digital tools, foodora Hungary is helping to build a more resilient food ecosystem—one where surplus is treated as a resource for the community rather than a burden for the planet.

Delivering the Future: Driving Tech Innovation Through Delivery Hero’s Global Hackathon

At a glance

  • Annual Global Hackathon brings together tech talent across global brands
  • Creates space to experiment outside day-to-day tasks
  • Accelerates innovation to boost ecosystem efficiency and service quality

Through its annual Global Hackathon, Delivery Hero is fostering an environment of continuous tech innovation, enabling internal teams to collaborate on scalable solutions that improve the delivery ecosystem.

In an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving digital market, staying ahead requires continuous technical exploration. For a global platform company, creating space for technical talent to experiment outside day-to-day tasks can yield valuable breakthroughs in many fields, including logistics, machine learning, and automation. Delivery Hero addresses this through its Global Hackathons, a structured tech sprint designed to unite global talent behind shared infrastructure goals.

The 2025 event brought together nearly 70 teams from across Delivery Hero’s various global brands. Over several days, cross-functional teams in squads of three to five people engineered prototypes addressing real-world platform challenges – from in-app games to post-workout food recommendations, and a new security gateway. The top ten concepts were evaluated by Delivery Hero’s tech executives for potential integration into the core product roadmap.

Beyond individual team recognition, the event reflects a wider strategy to drive operational resilience through digital excellence. By empowering tech talent to innovate collaboratively, Delivery Hero continues to strengthen the digital foundations of the delivery ecosystem – enabling a smarter, faster, and more efficient network for partners, riders, and customers worldwide.

Empowering Women Across the Platform Economy in Türkiye

Empowering women across the platform economy in Türkiye

At a glance

  • Women-led restaurants thriving across Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir
  • Supporting entrepreneurship, business growth and digital participation
  • Enabling flexible earning opportunities for women riders
  • Helping challenge barriers and expand economic inclusion
  • Part of a platform where opportunity and demand are connected at scale

Through Yemeksepeti, Delivery Hero is enabling women to build businesses, access new income opportunities and participate more fully in the digital economy.

Across Türkiye, women entrepreneurs and workers are playing an increasingly important role in shaping local economies. Yet barriers to access, from funding and visibility to flexible work opportunities, can limit participation and growth.

Yemeksepeti is helping to address this by creating a platform ecosystem where women can start, scale, and sustain their businesses, while also accessing new forms of flexible work. Through its reach, infrastructure, and services, the platform is enabling women to participate in and benefit from digitally driven demand.

The impact is visible across the country, with women-led restaurants in key economic hubs such as Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir. From traditional Turkish cuisine to desserts and emerging international concepts, women entrepreneurs are building diverse and growing businesses through the platform.

Behind these numbers are real stories of resilience and growth. In Gaziantep, Türkan Ev Yemekleri expanded its delivery operations through Yemeksepeti, continuing to serve its community even during periods of crisis. In İzmir, Angelique Desserts successfully pivoted to a cloud kitchen model during the pandemic, using the platform to reach new customers and rebuild its business. Across the country, women-led restaurants are using digital tools, delivery services, and promotional campaigns to grow their customer base and scale operations.

"Just when we thought everything was over during the pandemic, we were reborn by selling online with Yemeksepeti."

Berrin Şenol, Founder, Angelique Desserts

The platform’s impact extends beyond entrepreneurship. Yemeksepeti also supports women riders through its delivery network, offering flexible earning opportunities and helping to challenge traditional gender norms in a male-dominated sector. For many, this work provides not only income, but independence and confidence.

Together, these stories highlight how platform-enabled ecosystems can create meaningful economic participation. By connecting demand with opportunity, Yemeksepeti enables women to generate income, grow businesses, and build careers on their own terms.

As part of Delivery Hero’s wider ecosystem, this reflects a broader role as an economic amplifier – where increased access to customers and flexible work drives value for individuals, businesses and communities alike.

Inspiring the Next Generation: Closing the Gender Gap in Tech Through Coding Education

Tech4Girls coding camp at Delivery Hero Berlin headquarters

At a glance

  • Partnership with Tech4Girls* to support STEM education
  • ~100 children aged 7–15 participating
  • 6-week coding camp hosted in Berlin
  • Curriculum includes computer basics and JavaScript game development
  • Delivered in German and English, with tailored learning streams
  • Supporting diversity and inclusion in future tech talent

Through our partnership with Tech4Girls*, Delivery Hero is helping to inspire a more diverse generation of tech talent, building confidence, skills and early interest in digital careers.

As the demand for digital skills continues to grow, building a diverse and inclusive pipeline of future talent has become increasingly important. Yet across Europe, gender gaps in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) remain a persistent challenge, often beginning at an early age.

Delivery Hero is helping to address this through a partnership with Berlin-based Tech4Girls*, with its first summer coding camp designed to introduce children to programming in an engaging and accessible way.

Over a six-week period, nearly 100 children aged 7 to 15 participated in hands-on coding sessions hosted at Delivery Hero’s Berlin headquarters. The program combined foundational computer skills with practical learning, including game development using JavaScript, enabling participants to build and take home their own digital projects.

Delivered in both German and English, the program was structured to support different age groups, from introductory digital literacy for younger participants to more advanced, creative coding for older students. By creating a supportive and interactive environment, the initiative aimed to build confidence, spark curiosity, and make technology more accessible from an early stage.

The partnership with Tech4Girls* reflects a shared ambition to tackle the root causes of gender imbalance in tech. Research shows that interest in STEM subjects among girls often declines during adolescence, driven by factors such as limited role models and lack of exposure. By introducing programming early, in a setting that is both practical and inspiring, the initiative helps challenge these barriers.

For Delivery Hero, the program is part of a broader commitment to increasing diversity in technology roles and supporting the next generation of innovators.

"It's about confidence, creativity and giving young people the space to explore what they can build. We want to help spark that curiosity early."

Benjamin Mann, Chief Technology Officer

Beyond technical skills, the program creates a meaningful connection between young people and the world of work, offering a first glimpse into careers in technology and reinforcing that the industry is open, creative and accessible.

By investing in early education and inclusive access to digital skills, Delivery Hero is helping to build a more diverse and future-ready talent pipeline, supporting both individual opportunity and the long-term strength of the technology ecosystem.