Deliveroo dishes up first ever gift card

Food delivery firm Deliveroo has followed rivals Uber Eats and Just Eat by launching its first ever gift card as demand for takeaways soars amid the pandemic.

The group is offering e-gift cards which can be bought online and via its app in multiples of £10.

It said the launch comes in response to surging demand from customers ahead of Christmas.

London-based Deliveroo’s competitors, Uber Eats and Just Eat, already have gift cards available in the burgeoning food delivery sector.

The pandemic has seen food delivery firms enjoy booming business as restaurants have been forced to close due to lockdowns and tighter restrictions, turning instead to takeaway services.

Deliveroo announced in September that it was taking on an extra 15,000 riders to meet the demand, meaning more than 30,000 riders have joined Deliveroo’s platform since the start of 2020.

Since March, more than 11,500 new restaurants have also joined the platform.

Deliveroo spokeswoman Arabella Jenkins said: “In a time where many people are unable to see their families and in what has been a catastrophic year for businesses in the hospitality industry, we want to encourage people to give the gift of food and drink.

“It’s a special treat for those receiving the gift, but also helps to continue to support our incredible restaurant partners across the festive period and beyond.”

Deliveroo said it had given the first ever fully-loaded gift card to a customer who took to Twitter to urge the group to launch a gift card in time for Christmas.

It is also offering 500 people with festive names the chance to win a free gift card with a £10 credit.

Entrants can take part by emailing their details to fortunefavoursthefestive@deliveroo.co.uk by midnight on December 20.