As it nears its IPO on the London Stock Exchange, Deliveroo posted annual losses reduced by 29% and activity up more than 54%.
Last year, the British meal delivery start-up made 1.2 billion pounds of income (commissions paid by restaurateurs and customers), and a deficit of 226.4 million pounds.
By forcing restaurants in many countries to close, the Covid-19 pandemic has boosted the platform's performance, allowing the meal delivery market as a whole to accelerate by two to three years.
A golden opportunity for Deliveroo, which should present itself in April to the financial markets.
The operation will allow it to strengthen its equity, and some shareholders to sell shares.
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Created in 2013 in London by Will Shu, the platform references 115,000 restaurants and employs 100,000 delivery people.
As with its major competitor Uber Eats, these couriers are self-employed, whose precarious status is the subject of numerous legal disputes.
In the UK, they are awaiting the decision of the London Court of Appeal which must say whether they can benefit from a collective agreement.
However, this does not seem to dampen the appetite of investors.
Deliveroo's IPO could be one of the biggest of the year in London.
16% owned by Amazon, the company could be worth as much as £ 7 billion, according to the
Financial Times
.
In addition to being the partner of many restaurateurs, Deliveroo offers to deliver daily groceries, by multiplying partnerships with mini-markets and large distribution groups.
The start-up also stands out by having its own central kitchens.
There are 250 to date.
Occupied by restaurateurs - for a fee - these kitchens make it possible to expand the offer, reaching a clientele often far from city centers.
