Pitch
Food delivery applications challenging our foundation of eating out
Description
Make life easier/more difficult for Singapore?
More difficult
Describe the change
An integral part of the Singaporean identity is our immense love for the exploration of gustatory delights. Be it a simple meal at the local hawker or the most exquisite experience at Joel Robuchon, a large part of our lives and interpersonal relationships revolve around dining out.
Society's incessant need for efficacy however, has started a change in the landscape of our favorite pastime. With the advent of smartphone food applications, food is available at the literal push of a button. Foodpanda and Deliveroo are but part of the armamentarium available to us for easy access to restaurant food in the comfort of our homes.
In 2030, more providers of electronic food delivery services will surface, with supply increase resulting in cost decrease. This will be further driven by the advent of virtual restaurants, establishments with no physical premises, allowing abysmal overhead costs. Eating out will revert to dining at home, with people quick to pick up on this efficacious alternative.
How will this change impact Smart Nation Singapore in 2030?
An article by the Restaurant Association of Singapore already prophesied the closure of many restaurants due to wage inflation and high rentals. The ease and profit of selling their wares online will entice restaurateurs to adopt the virtual restaurant concept resulting in the closure of many.
Presented with the dichotomy of a limited selection of dining out vs the online myriad of alternatives, many will sway to the latter. Talk between friends and family will no longer be about the latest eatery in town but which application provides the greatest variety of food at the largest discounts.
Singaporeans then accept this to be the norm resulting in a society with increasingly insular attitudes. Going down to the local coffeeshop to interact with your neighbors and inviting friends to explore the latest dessert venue will become a memory. This results in an increasingly fragmented society with people realizing that the ease of convenience does not supersede the challenge of social bonding.
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