L. Yltävä
Research expert
Online food delivery in the Nordics- statistics & facts
The online food delivery market exploded in the Nordic countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like in other parts of the world, this surge subsided as consumers returned to in-store shopping in the wake of the health crisis. However, the pandemic led to the development of new online shopping habits. Consumers became experienced in ordering fresh food and hot meals right to their doorsteps with just a click of a button. Online food delivery, therefore, has become a mainstream practice. In 2024, the market was valued at an estimated 9.25 billion U.S. dollars in the Nordics, and is forecast to reach over 13 billion dollars by 2028
Nordic online shoppers’ appetite for food delivery continues to grow, despite market stagnation after the pandemic. Furthermore, the acquisition of Wolt by DoorDash highlights the region’s significance in the global food delivery landscape.
Tens of millions of food delivery shoppers
The online food delivery market is divided into two segments: grocery and meal delivery. The former includes all online purchases of food, beverages, and other household items, while the latter encompasses all prepared food meant for direct consumption. Grocery delivery generates higher annual revenues in the Nordics, while the meal delivery market has a greater number of users. In 2024, online meal delivery was estimated to be utilized by nearly 12 million users, compared to roughly ten million grocery shoppers. Over the next few years, the numbers are expected to rise steadily in the region.From the Nordics to the world
The mounting popularity of food delivery apps is one of the main reasons behind these impressive numbers. Apps allow users to easily order food anytime and anywhere using their mobile devices. While local supermarkets’ online stores are the most popular in the grocery delivery segment, Wolt dominates in meal delivery. Since its establishment in 2014 as a restaurant food delivery platform, Wolt has achieved remarkable traction in its home country of Finland and among its northern neighbors. The Wolt app tops the charts in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. In 2022, DoorDash, a U.S. heavy hitter in online food delivery, acquired Wolt, which is expected to promote further international growth. The merger was the second-highest valued e-commerce startup acquisition as of September 2024, costing DoorDash around eight billion USD. Other popular food delivery apps in the region include HelloFresh, Uber Eats, and Bolt.Nordic online shoppers’ appetite for food delivery continues to grow, despite market stagnation after the pandemic. Furthermore, the acquisition of Wolt by DoorDash highlights the region’s significance in the global food delivery landscape.
