Instant grocery delivery platform, Getir, has recently closed depots and laid off staff in various cities across England. These closures, occurring in September and October, follow a similar move made by the company in April of the same year. Initially, Getir had retained operations in select key cities; however, former drivers and reports indicate that additional cuts have been made, leaving several areas without Getir’s services.

Former Getir drivers revealed that the company had ‘closed all Liverpool stores,’ and other reports mentioned closures in Leicester, Ashton Under Lyne, Nottingham, and East London’s Catford. Furthermore, cities like Birmingham, Southampton, and Brighton, which had survived the previous round of cuts in April, are also no longer serviced.

In response to these closures, a Getir spokesperson confirmed the restructuring, stating, “At the end of August, Getir announced a global restructuring to increase operational efficiency. This decision includes closing some stores in countries, such as the UK.”

These closures could open opportunities for other grocery delivery providers in the affected areas. However, the overall grocery delivery market seems to be grappling with challenges.

Comments from Getir drivers pointed to a significant decline in demand during the summer months. In response, the company initiated job cuts in September, affecting 2,500 employees across five European countries, including the UK. Reports in the Financial Times indicated that Getir’s valuation had dropped from $11.8 billion to $2.5 billion in just 18 months, a decline attributed to the increasing cost of living and reduced offers, which impacted demand for its premium delivery service.

This decrease in order volumes and depot closures are expected to have implications for Getir’s key wholesale partner, Nisa, which supplies more than 300 Co-op products to Getir sites.

The grocery delivery landscape is undergoing changes and challenges, and companies are reevaluating their strategies to navigate these shifts and meet evolving consumer demands.