The team at Quotezone.co.uk, a leading insurance comparison site, surveyed 600 UK businesses about how they are dealing with the lockdown.

The research revealed that two fifths of UK businesses (39%) have had to pivot their offerings since the beginning of lockdown, with 76% of these providing a brand-new service.

Roughly a quarter of the businesses surveyed (24%) have launched a new delivery service during the lockdown, with restaurants/bars (59%) found to be the types of businesses most likely to begin offering this type of service, followed by retail businesses (18%). 

Two thirds (65%) of those businesses that have begun offering deliveries indicated that they were using vans to fulfil their orders, while the remainder used other means, including personal transport (35%).

Asked whether they would continue offering a delivery service once they were able to reopen fully, more than half (56%) revealed that they intended to continue.

However, Quotezone’s research also revealed that less than one in five (19%) of the businesses that have begun couriering goods to their customers had taken out courier insurance to protect themselves from the financial impact of potential losses, damage or theft. 

Dan Clapton, from The Wanstead Tap commented: 

“When we lost our entire business model due to the pandemic, we had to quickly reassess what we could offer and what our loyal customers wanted. So overnight we set up a website and offered delivery of draft beer, wine and snacks across East London. We were fortunate to have a large customer base who swapped coming to an event or gig at the Tap to buying something they wanted and also that they knew would help us stay afloat. It’s not as easy or as much fun but it could be the difference between us staying in business or having to close”. 

Spencer Arnold, from Itchen Valley Brewery commented: 

“Before we did courier based deliveries for bottles only, which was great for reaching customers further afield. But when lockdown hit we were inundated with local requests for delivery, and once we started the word spread like wildfire and we saw our business boom. With local delivery by our own team, it means we can also deliver our bottle range and our draught kegs - which at from a pound a pint, you can imagine were flying like hot cakes. We've even had to enlist new suppliers to meet demand for cider, opened a wine section and are launching a gin bar next week as the customers loyalty and demand continues to grow. While logistically and time wise this local delivery has been a strain, it has given us an undeniable insight into our community, what they're after, offered a wonderful way of getting to know them personally and expanding our range beyond our dreams.”

Commenting on the study, Greg Wilson, founder of Quotezone, said:  “The global pandemic and the resulting lockdown are regularly described as unprecedented, so it should come as no surprise that an unprecedented number of small businesses are having to pivot in order to survive, including launching their own delivery services.

“However, even if a small business’s van insurance or car insurance policy includes ‘business use’ under its class of use, that alone usually doesn’t cover the business to provide a delivery service.  

“That’s why it’s worrying that just 19% of those businesses that have launched a delivery service during the lockdown have taken out a dedicated courier insurance policy, because this type of policy is vital to protect the financial interests of any business that delivers goods to customers.”