Amid protests to end police brutality against African Americans Uber UBER Eats has found a way to to support Black communities and businesses by cancelling its delivery fees.
Hungry diners in major U.S. and Canadian cities can now order from Black-owned restaurants delivery fee free through the end of 2020. How likely are these changes to its food delivery app actually going to support Black-owned restaurants?
CultureBanx reported that food delivery in general has benefited from the coronavirus pandemic, with consumers sheltering in place during government-imposed lockdowns. This new in-app Uber Eats feature highlighting Black-owned restaurants in your community, could also be away to further bolster its bottom line. Especially because Uber’s global rides business is still down 70% from a year ago, Uber Eats had more than doubled year-over-year as of May. Shares of Uber are up 25% year to date.
Currently, the Black-owned restaurants featured in the app for this promotion were compiled by Uber employees based on publicly available sources, along with information from local organizations and business associations. “We are committed to supporting the black community,” Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a statement. In the coming weeks Uber plans to offer discounted ride-hailing trips to Black-owned small businesses that have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, though it did not mention how much of a discount would be given.
Kori Hale – Forbes – June 9, 2020.
