Choosing a Food & Beverage Marketplace

Selling Food Online:

• Just Eat
• Uber Eats
• Food Prepped
• Etsy
• Not On The High Street

Numerous online platforms and food & beverage marketplaces have emerged in the digital age, continuing a tradition dating back to ancient Rome’s bustling fora. These historical marketplaces were hubs of commerce and community, where people gathered to buy, sell, and connect. Today, online platforms carry this legacy, helping businesses and individuals sell their products and services globally.

This blog post will compare five popular online platforms: Just Eat, Uber Eats, Food Prepped, Etsy, and Not On The High Street. We will examine their use cases, the need for invitations, the types of products they list and sell, the operating fees, and the potential for traffic and sales. This comparison will highlight how these platforms uphold the essence of ancient marketplaces while leveraging modern technology to expand their reach.

Just Eat

Use Case: Just Eat is primarily a food delivery service that connects customers with local restaurants. It’s ideal for established restaurants looking to expand their delivery options.

Invitation: No invitation is needed; restaurants can sign up directly on the website to sell food online.

Products Listed: Just Eat focuses exclusively on food and beverage products, particularly takeout and delivery items from local restaurants.

Fees: Just Eat charges a commission fee ranging from 14% to 18% per order, depending on the restaurant’s contract. Additionally, there is a sign-up fee and possibly a monthly fee.

Traffic and Potential Sales: Just Eat has a large and active user base, which can translate to high sales volumes. However, market saturation means that individual restaurants may struggle to stand out without significant marketing efforts.

Uber Eats

Use Case: Similar to Just Eat, Uber Eats is a food delivery service that integrates with the broader Uber ecosystem, making it convenient for customers who already use Uber.

Invitation: No invitation is required; restaurants can apply directly on the website to sell food online.

Products Listed: Uber Eats lists food and beverage products from local restaurants and eateries.

Fees: Uber Eats charges a commission fee of around 15% to 30% per order, depending on location and the restaurant’s agreement with Uber Eats. There may also be a sign-up fee.

Traffic and Potential Sales: Uber Eats offers significant traffic potential due to its large user base and strong brand. However, the high competition and fees can impact profitability.

Food Prepped

Use Case: Food Prepped is a food & beverage marketplace designed explicitly for UK-based food and beverage businesses, including small producers and artisans.

Invitation: No invitation is needed; businesses can register for a free account to sell food online.

Products Listed: Food Prepped focuses on a wide range of food and beverage products, from homemade jams and artisanal cheeses to craft beers and organic juices.

Fees: Food Prepped charges a 6% commission on each sale, with no hidden fees or upfront costs. See more here.

Traffic and Potential Sales: As a newer platform, Food Prepped may have less traffic than Just Eat and Uber Eats. However, its niche focus on local UK producers can attract a dedicated customer base looking for unique and artisanal products.

Etsy

Use Case: Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade, vintage, and unique factory-manufactured items. It’s ideal for small businesses and artisans looking to sell handmade crafts, art, jewellery, and more.

Invitation: No invitation is needed; anyone can set up a shop on Etsy to sell food online.

Products Listed: Etsy lists a wide range of products, including handmade goods, vintage items, and craft supplies.

Fees: Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee per item and a 5% transaction fee on each sale. Additionally, there is a 3% + $0.25 payment processing fee.

Traffic and Potential Sales: Etsy has a significant global user base, providing excellent traffic potential. However, high competition requires sellers to invest in marketing and unique product offerings to attract buyers.

Not On The High Street

Use Case: Not On The High Street (NOTHS) is a curated online marketplace for unique and personalized gifts, ideal for small businesses and artisans offering distinctive products.

Invitation: Vendors must apply and be accepted to sell food online on the platform, ensuring a curated selection of high-quality products.

Products Listed: NOTHS lists various unique and personalised products, including home decor, fashion, jewellery, and gifts.

Fees: NOTHS charges a one-time joining fee and a commission of around 25% on each sale. There may also be additional fees for premium listings.

Traffic and Potential Sales: NOTHS offers access to a dedicated customer base seeking unique and personalized items. The platform’s curated nature helps sellers stand out, but the high fees can impact profitability.

Conclusion

Each platform and food and beverage marketplace offers unique benefits and challenges for sellers. Just Eat and Uber Eats are excellent for restaurants looking to expand delivery services, but they come with high fees and competition. Food Prepped provides a food & beverage marketplace for UK-based producers with lower fees, though it may have less traffic initially. Etsy offers a broad market for handmade and vintage items but requires significant effort to stand out. Not On The High Street offers a curated platform for unique gifts with strong brand recognition but comes with high fees and approval requirements. When choosing the right platform, sellers should carefully consider their product type, target audience, and cost structure.

Learn More About Food Prepped

If you’re interested in discovering more about food prep and how it can benefit your food and beverage business, check out our detailed post, An Introduction to Food Prepped. This article dives deep into what makes Food Prepped unique, including its focus on supporting UK-based small producers, its user-friendly platform, and its commitment to fostering a community of food artisans and enthusiasts.

Explore the opportunities Food Prepped offers for sellers and buyers, and see how this platform can help you reach a broader audience while maintaining the artisanal charm of traditional marketplaces. Click here to read more about Food Prepped and start your journey with us today!

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