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Key Takeaways

  • Customer expectations have accelerated dramatically – 90% of consumers now consider two- to three-day delivery the minimum requirement, with one-third expecting same-day fulfillment
  • Operational gaps create competitive vulnerability – 7% of executives cannot meet the ~3.5-day delivery threshold consumers expect, and 60% of customers will shop elsewhere if two-day delivery isn’t available
  • Technology investment delivers results – Integrated ERP systems enable 50% volume growth without proportional cost increases while achieving 99%+ order accuracy
  • Delivery is now essential – 51% of US consumers consider delivery essential to their lifestyle, with 21% of foodservice transactions now occurring through delivery channels

The F\&B Market Opportunity

1. Global food and beverages market reaches $8.71 trillion in 2025

The global food and beverages market achieved $8.71 trillion in 2025, establishing a massive foundation for fulfillment operations. This market scale creates both opportunity and pressure—companies must serve an enormous customer base while maintaining speed and quality. Organizations with streamlined backend systems capture disproportionate market share as customers gravitate toward reliable fulfillment experiences. Source: Precedence Research

2. Industry will grow to $14.72 trillion by 2034 at 6% annual growth

Market projections show the F\&B industry reaching $14.72 trillion by 2034 with 6% compound annual growth. This sustained expansion means fulfillment infrastructure investments made today will serve larger order volumes tomorrow. Companies building scalable systems now position themselves to capture growth without proportional cost increases. The 6% CAGR represents predictable expansion justifying substantial automation investments. Source: Precedence Research

3. North America dominates with 40% market share

North America commands 40% of the global F\&B market, reflecting high consumer spending power and developed logistics infrastructure. This regional concentration means North American businesses face particularly intense competition for fulfillment excellence. Customers accustomed to fast delivery apply those same expectations to F\&B purchases. NetSuite implementation partners familiar with North American supply chains deliver faster time-to-value. Source: Towards FnB

4. Online food delivery generates $1.22 trillion by end of 2024

The online food delivery market achieved $1.22 trillion in 2024, demonstrating massive consumer appetite for digital ordering. This trillion-dollar channel demands seamless integration between e-commerce platforms and fulfillment operations. Organizations with disconnected systems struggle to capture their share. Integrated platforms like SuiteCommerce eliminate synchronization delays that frustrate customers and erode margins. Source: Deliverect

5. Global consumer foodservice industry reaches $3.2 trillion in 2024

The global consumer foodservice industry achieved $3.2 trillion in 2024, with delivery representing an increasingly significant share. This combined dine-in and delivery market creates complex fulfillment requirements as businesses serve multiple channels simultaneously. Companies need unified systems that manage inventory, orders, and fulfillment across all customer touchpoints without duplication or error. Source: Euromonitor

Customer Expectations Are Rising

6. 90% of consumers consider two- to three-day delivery the minimum requirement

Consumer expectations have fundamentally shifted, with 90% considering 2-3 day delivery as baseline rather than premium service. This expectation applies across product categories, including perishable and specialty foods. Organizations unable to meet this threshold face immediate customer attrition regardless of product quality or pricing. Meeting these expectations requires streamlined order processing and accurate inventory visibility. Source: Cloudfy

7. 60% of customers will shop elsewhere without two-day delivery

The consequences of slow fulfillment are severe—60% of customers abandon retailers that cannot deliver within two days. This statistic represents immediate revenue loss, not gradual customer erosion. F\&B companies competing against major retailers with sophisticated logistics networks must match delivery performance or accept significant market share loss. The 60% threshold indicates speed has become table stakes. Source: Cloudfy

8. One-third of consumers expect same-day deliveries

Beyond baseline expectations, one-third of consumers now expect same-day delivery for food and beverage purchases. This segment represents the most demanding—and often most valuable—customers. Meeting same-day requirements demands real-time inventory visibility, automated order routing, and strategically positioned fulfillment locations. Organizations with advanced inventory management capabilities can serve this premium segment profitably. Source: Cloudfy

9. E-shoppers expect orders to arrive in 3.5 days—two days faster than 2012

Consumer expectations have compressed dramatically, with average expected delivery dropping to 3.5 days in 2024—two full days faster than 2012 expectations. This acceleration shows no signs of slowing. Companies must continuously improve fulfillment speed just to maintain competitive parity. The 12-year trend demonstrates that today's impressive delivery times become tomorrow's minimum acceptable performance. Source: AlixPartners

10. 92% say free shipping impacts purchase decisions

Delivery cost matters as much as speed, with 92% of consumers indicating that free shipping offers influence purchase decisions—up from 83% in 2023. This growing sensitivity means F\&B companies must optimize fulfillment costs to offer competitive shipping without destroying margins. Efficient operations enabled by NetSuite automation create room for shipping subsidies that drive conversion. Source: AlixPartners

11. 25% will take business elsewhere if delivery demands aren't met

Beyond the 60% who won't wait for two-day delivery, an additional 25% of customers actively seek alternatives when any delivery expectation goes unmet. This compounding effect means fulfillment failures cascade into substantial customer loss. Organizations must view fulfillment performance as a retention metric rather than an operational detail. Customer lifetime value calculations should incorporate fulfillment reliability. Source: AlixPartners

12. Online orders should arrive within five days to meet basic expectations

For most product categories, five-day delivery represents the outer limit of acceptable performance. Exceeding this threshold triggers customer complaints, order cancellations, and permanent brand damage. F\&B companies with perishable products face even tighter constraints. This five-day ceiling provides a useful benchmark for identifying fulfillment bottlenecks requiring immediate attention versus gradual optimization. Source: Morning Consult

Delivery Market Dynamics

13. Nearly 70% of U.S. consumers ordered delivery in the past month

Delivery has become habitual behavior, with nearly 70% of U.S. consumers ordering delivery within the past month. This penetration rate demonstrates delivery is no longer a niche channel but a mainstream expectation. F\&B companies without robust delivery capabilities exclude themselves from the majority of potential customer interactions. Monthly ordering frequency creates opportunities for subscription models and loyalty programs. Source: Deliverect

14. About 60% of U.S. consumers order delivery or takeout weekly

Weekly ordering frequency reaches approximately 60% of U.S. consumers, indicating delivery has become routine rather than occasional. This frequency creates substantial order volume that justifies fulfillment infrastructure investment. Companies can amortize technology and process improvements across high transaction volumes, making per-order costs manageable even with premium fulfillment capabilities. Source: Deliverect

15. 21% of foodservice market was delivery in 2024—up from 9% in 2019

Delivery's share of the foodservice market more than doubled, growing from 9% in 2019 to 21% in 2024. This structural shift accelerated during the pandemic and has proven permanent. One in five foodservice transactions now occurs through delivery channels, requiring fulfillment capabilities that didn't exist five years ago. Organizations that invested early now enjoy established customer relationships and optimized operations. Source: Euromonitor

16. Delivery projected to account for 24% of foodservice market by 2029

Growth continues, with delivery projected to reach 24% of the foodservice market by 2029. This trajectory means companies must plan for even higher delivery volumes in coming years. Fulfillment systems sized for current volumes will become bottlenecks as delivery grows. Scalable platforms that handle volume growth without linear cost increases position companies for sustainable profitability. Source: Euromonitor

17. 51% of US consumers say delivery is essential to their lifestyle

Delivery has become lifestyle infrastructure, with 51% of US consumers considering it essential. This psychological shift from convenience to necessity changes customer tolerance for fulfillment failures. Essential services face harsher judgment when they fail. F\&B companies must approach delivery reliability with the same seriousness applied to product quality and food safety. Source: DoorDash Merchants

18. Customers spend up to 20% more when ordering via technology

Digital ordering drives larger transactions, with customers spending up to 20% more when ordering through technology versus traditional phone orders. This revenue uplift justifies investment in user-friendly e-commerce platforms. BigCommerce storefronts optimized for food and beverage products capture this additional revenue through better product presentation, upsell suggestions, and frictionless checkout. Source: Deliverect

Operational Challenges Persist

19. 47% of executives cannot meet the 3.5-day delivery threshold

Despite clear customer expectations, 47% of executives report their organizations cannot meet the 3.5-day delivery standard consumers expect. This gap between expectation and capability creates competitive vulnerability for nearly half the market. Companies that close this gap capture customers abandoning slower competitors. The 47% statistic indicates substantial market share available for organizations investing in fulfillment excellence. Source: AlixPartners

20. 80% of executives report rising delivery costs

Cost pressure compounds speed challenges, with 80% of executives experiencing increasing delivery expenses. Rising costs make it harder to invest in speed improvements while maintaining margins. This squeeze demands efficiency gains that reduce per-order costs even as overall delivery volumes grow. Automation and integration become essential rather than optional when 80% of the market faces cost pressure. Source: AlixPartners

21. Only 28% say home delivery is accretive to profitability

Despite delivery's growth, only 28% of executives consider it profitable. The remaining 72% view delivery as a necessary expense rather than a profit driver. This profitability challenge requires operational transformation, not incremental improvement. Organizations achieving profitable delivery typically leverage integrated systems, automated workflows, and strategic partnerships that fundamentally change cost structures. Source: AlixPartners

22. 85% prioritize reducing total cost per order for last-mile delivery

Cost reduction dominates strategic priorities, with 85% of executives focused on reducing last-mile delivery costs. This near-universal priority creates intense competition for efficiency innovations. Companies with streamlined order management reduce handling costs that compound with delivery expenses. First-movers in cost reduction gain both margin and pricing flexibility to capture market share. Source: AlixPartners

Food Waste and Inventory Challenges

23. 82% indicate reducing shrink rate is a challenge

Shrinkage affects nearly everyone, with 82% of food and grocery organizations identifying shrink reduction as a significant challenge. Shrinkage from spoilage, theft, and damage directly impacts both margins and fulfillment capacity. Accurate inventory systems detect shrinkage patterns and enable targeted interventions. Real-time visibility prevents situations where expected inventory doesn't exist when orders require fulfillment. Source: Impinj

24. 37% identify food spoilage as a key concern

Perishability creates unique challenges, with 37% of F\&B organizations citing food spoilage as a primary concern. Spoilage occurs when inventory sits too long or temperature controls fail. First-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory management and shelf-life tracking reduce spoilage by ensuring oldest inventory ships first. NetSuite for food companies provides visibility needed to minimize spoilage. Source: Impinj

25. 32% of organizations lose $49-$150 million annually to food waste

Food waste carries substantial financial impact, with 32% of organizations losing between $49 million and $150 million annually. These losses dwarf typical technology investment costs, making waste reduction initiatives highly ROI-positive. Even modest improvements in forecasting accuracy and inventory rotation yield millions in recovered value. Organizations should view ERP investment partially through the lens of waste reduction. Source: Impinj

26. 69% of inbound grocery shipments contain inaccuracies

Receiving accuracy presents major challenges, with 69% of inbound shipments containing inaccuracies according to industry research. These receiving errors propagate through inventory systems, causing fulfillment failures when expected stock doesn't exist. Automated receiving processes with verification checks catch discrepancies before they affect customer orders. Warehouse management solutions provide systematic receiving workflows that catch errors early. Source: Impinj

Building Fast, Profitable Fulfillment

Modern F\&B fulfillment requires integrated systems that connect e-commerce, inventory, and operations in real-time. Organizations achieve significant performance improvements when their platforms communicate seamlessly rather than requiring manual data transfer between disconnected systems.

For organizations using or implementing NetSuite, SuiteCommerce provides native integration that eliminates synchronization delays. Our team specializes in storefront UX, order flows, and optimization—and we've likely already solved your specific challenge with one of our 35+ pre-built apps.

For organizations requiring different e-commerce capabilities, BigCommerce delivers enterprise-grade performance with strong ERP integration options. As BigCommerce Certified Partners, we build custom stores combining sleek design, ERP integration, SEO, and multi-channel selling.

If you're experiencing fulfillment challenges or wondering how to close the gap between customer expectations and operational capability, consider scheduling a free 30-Minute consultation to discuss your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top challenges food and beverage companies face with fulfillment speed?

F\&B companies struggle with rising delivery costs (80% report increases) and inability to meet customer expectations (47% can't achieve 3.5-day delivery). Food spoilage adds complexity, with 37% citing it as a key concern and 82% identifying shrink reduction as challenging. These interconnected challenges require integrated technology solutions rather than point fixes.

How can ERP systems improve fulfillment times in the F\&B sector?

ERP systems eliminate manual data entry that causes delays, provide real-time inventory visibility for accurate promising, automate order routing to optimize fulfillment paths, and integrate with e-commerce platforms for seamless order flow. Companies using integrated systems achieve 99%+ order accuracy compared to mid-90s percent with disconnected operations.

What role does e-commerce play in speeding up food and beverage deliveries?

E-commerce platforms capture orders instantly, eliminating phone-based delays while customers spend 20% more through digital channels. Integrated e-commerce connects directly to inventory and fulfillment systems, enabling real-time availability and automated order processing. Platforms like SuiteCommerce and BigCommerce provide the speed and accuracy manual order entry cannot match.

What metrics should food and beverage businesses track for fulfillment efficiency?

Key metrics include order-to-delivery time (target 3.5 days or less), on-time delivery rate, order accuracy, inventory turnover, fill rate, and cost per order. Spoilage and waste rates matter particularly for perishables. Organizations should also track customer-facing metrics like delivery satisfaction and repeat purchase rates that connect fulfillment performance to outcomes.

How does cold chain management impact fulfillment speed for perishables?

Cold chain requirements add complexity through temperature monitoring, specialized handling, and tighter delivery windows. With 37% of organizations citing spoilage as a key concern, maintaining cold chain integrity while achieving speed requires sophisticated coordination. Integrated systems with lot tracking and shelf-life management enable both safety and speed.

Related Article: Best ERP Systems for Food Manufacturers (2026 Guide)