In 2016, meal delivery service Takeaway.com raised its turnover by nearly 50 % compared to the year before. In its most important markets, the company has a 62 % market share.
Major marketing expenses
Takeaway.com’s total turnover in 2016 grew 45 % to 111.6 million euro compared to 2015, as turnover went up 53 % in Germany, 32 % in the Netherlands and 82 % in the other markets put together. Its active customer base expanded by 32 % to 8.9 million people and the number of orders followed suit, up 46 % to 49.3 million. In total, the orders represented 941.7 million euro in value.
However, this enormous turnover increase did not result in profit: instead, losses went up 58 % from 19.5 to 30.9 million euro, mostly because of marketing expenses. Takeaway.com spent 82.6 million euro in marketing in 2016, up 40 % compared to the year before. Poland, Belgium and Austria were all flooded with additional ad campaigns.
“2016 has been an exciting and eventful year for Takeaway.com. We made four strategic acquisitions and successfully listed our company at Euronext Amsterdam. Founded in 2000, Takeaway.com has grown mostly organically to become the leading online food delivery marketplace in Continental Europe”, CEO Jitse Groen said.
The company will continue to invest in marketing and product development over the course of 2018. It forecasts a larger turnover growth than in 2016, but it also predicts another loss-making year.