On an ordinary afternoon, I met Lao Wang, an ordinary rider in a delivery suit. In this busy big city, he is like countless figures, shuttling between high-rise buildings, bringing people the warmth of a meal. But today, his brow furrowed slightly, and his face looked tired. We sat down in a corner, and I noticed a hint of confusion and helplessness in Wang's eyes. I couldn't help but ask, "Wang, what's wrong with you? Lao Wang took a deep breath and said earnestly: "I'm thinking about whether to continue delivering takeaways." I was taken aback by that. In my impression, Lao Wang is always the person with a sunny face and full of enthusiasm for his work. I asked eagerly, "What's going on?" Hasn't it always been good?" Lao Wang sighed and told a truth that I didn't expect: "Now that food delivery is really not as profitable as before." He showed me a set of data on his phone, the latest report released by a third-party data platform: in the first quarter of 2021, the number of delivery riders increased by 10% year-on-year to 3.8 million. Behind this number, there is a harsh reality hidden - "more monks and less meat".
Lao Wang continued to narrate, with a hint of weakness in his voice: "Think about it, an order, 30 people grab, this situation is not uncommon now. In the beginning, food delivery was a good job, with freedom and flexibility, and a decent income. But now, the competition is fierce, and the unit price is chillingly low. He told me that back in 2013, which was the beginning of his food delivery career, the food delivery platform war was in full swing, and grabbing riders became a key battle for major platforms. High commissions, many subsidies, and a monthly income of more than 10,000 yuan are not a dream for many people. Lao Wang's highest income at that time reached 25,000 yuan, which was his most beautiful days. But time has passed, and today's Lao Wang is facing a takeaway river and lake full of pressure and uncertainty. He told me that the current platform commission has been reduced to only 3 yuan per order. It has become a very difficult thing to earn six or seven thousand a month. Not to mention 10,000, which became almost an impossible task. Lao Wang's story speaks to the voices of many peers. The food delivery industry does offer a certain level of freedom and flexibility. With a mobile phone and an electric car, you can be a part of the industry.
Even if you don't have an electric car, some food delivery sites offer rentals, although that means you'll have to pay a certain amount of money for them. However, the food delivery industry is also a mirror, reflecting some of the harsh realities of today's society. In China, there is a phenomenon that as long as there is a business that can make money, countless people will actively participate, and the same is true for the food delivery industry. Because you can often see tempting words in job advertisements: "work hard, earn 6,000 a month, work hard, earn more than 10,000 a month, work hard, and have no upper limit on salary." Such words always attract the attention and enthusiasm of countless young people. But when this craze subsides, what is left behind is often endless bitterness and struggle. Lao Wang's troubles are not only personal confusion, but also a microcosm of the times. His career change may be the most direct response to the current environment of the food delivery industry. At the end of the meal, Lao Wang did not leave immediately. He was silent for a few moments, as if thinking about the next step in his life. Eventually, he stood up, smiled and said to me, "Perhaps, it's time to look for new opportunities." Then, he put on a delivery suit, rode an electric car, and disappeared into the hustle and bustle of the city. Lao Wang's story has given me a lot of inspiration.
It reminds me that no matter what industry we are in or what challenges we face, we should keep a clear head and have the courage to change and accept new challenges. Only in this way can we find our place in this rapidly changing world. Food delivery driver, this profession may be everywhere in your life. They are the couriers of this fast-paced city, rain or shine every day, just to deliver the food safely to the customers within the stipulated time. But the story behind this profession is not well known. Let's start with the story of Lao Wang. He is a veteran delivery driver with seven years of experience in food delivery. Among the group of delivery riders, Lao Wang is a "veteran", but the problems he has faced recently are also a microcosm of the entire industry. Wang told me that with the fierce competition between food delivery platforms, the commission of riders is declining year by year. I remember that in 2019, the commission per order could reach 4.5 yuan, but in 2021, this figure dropped to 3 yuan. It sounds like you might not think much of a difference. But in fact, the pressure and challenges behind this are very bearable.
Just imagine, if you want to earn more than 10,000 yuan a month, Lao Wang has to send 300 orders with a commission of 3 yuan, plus 1820 orders with a commission of 5 yuan. On average, Lao Wang has to send out 71 orders a day. You may think that 71 orders is not much, but in fact, the average number of orders per day is about 40 orders. In this way, his monthly salary is only about 5,400 yuan. Even with the rewards of veteran riders, the monthly income is only barely 6,000 yuan. You may ask, 6,000 yuan a month, is it worth the hard work? In contrast, the position of a delivery rider who earns 4,000 yuan a month but includes food and lodging in a factory does not seem to be advantageous. Factory workers are also covered by five insurances and one housing fund, while delivery riders often have only the most basic commercial insurance. The stability and security of life, the profession of a delivery rider is obviously difficult to provide. The life of a delivery rider is not easy, but what is more thought-provoking is whether such a profession is suitable for young people to engage in for a long time? Youth is precious, the golden age of learning Xi is gone, and if you don't invest in yourself at a young age, you may face more survival pressure in the future. Nowadays, the market for food delivery riders is gradually saturated, and the competition is extremely fierce.
And food delivery is essentially a job that requires extremely high physical strength and endurance. Young people's physical strength and endurance are abundant in their twenties, but by the age of forty, the situation is completely different. Middle-aged delivery riders are definitely at a disadvantage in this industry. So, I would like to say to young people: seize the present and learn Xi a technology or craft. Whether it's stir-frying, baking, barbering, or any other skill, it's better than chasing a job that may not have a future. Skills can be your long-term asset, while physical strength will eventually fade as you age. Of course, this is my opinion, and everyone has a personal reason for their choice. If you are a delivery driver, or have an understanding of the profession, you are welcome to share your stories and perspectives. Remember to collect and retweet, every like you like is a great encouragement to our creation. I am a new era of catering, if you are interested in the catering industry, then please follow me. There are fresh interpretations of the restaurant industry, interesting food sharing, and maybe you can find inspiration and direction here. The world of food is full of mysteries, and the restaurant industry is undergoing a rapid change of innovation and change. Let's witness and grow together.