A branch of flash delivery company Zapp on the Fagelstraat in Amsterdam West has to close. According to the municipality, the dark store does not fit into the zoning plan and the judge agrees. There are currently quite a few flash deliverers such as Gorillas, Flink, Getir and Zapp active in the Netherlands. For the success of speed cameras it is important that the dark stores are located close to the mostly young target group. In most cases, the dark stores are located in the city center.
The dark stores cause nuisance to residents. For example, the bicycles of the delivery drivers block the passage for people who want to pass and delivery drivers race over the sidewalks in the neighborhood. Delivery drivers also cause noise nuisance when they are talking to each other in front of the dark store while they are waiting for their next delivery.
Despite the negative effects, flash delivery is very popular among consumers. The need for convenience is great, especially among the young generations such as Generation Z and the millennials. For example, the student platform StudeerSnel.nl indicates that half of Dutch students are now customers of speed camera delivery companies. One in twenty uses flash delivery only.
The nuisance that speed camera deliverers cause to local residents may curb the growth of speed camera delivery services. To combat this, a solution will have to be found that reduces the negative consequences for the environment.
Flash delivery is new business model, time and experience needed
The flash delivery services are new on the market and in full development. As a result, flash delivery companies and the environment have not yet been able to gain much knowledge and experience on how to handle flash delivery in a way that is viable for all parties involved. Gaining knowledge and experience takes time and requires effort from all parties involved, such as municipalities and residents.
Municipalities currently do not have enough options to regulate flash delivery from dark stores. Flash delivery drivers fall in between supermarkets and shops and that makes regulation complicated. Municipalities can counteract the proliferation of dark stores through the zoning plans of the relevant buildings. But adjusting a zoning plan takes time.
In the meantime, consultation between speed camera deliverers, municipalities and residents will have to provide a (temporary) solution. Based on the reactions of speed camera drivers to the measures taken by municipalities, I have the impression that they definitely want to participate in this conversation.
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