The recent wave of acquisitions in the food delivery sector has not materially reduced the scale of competition, only the number of competitors.  Despite the increased demand for services as a result of COVID-19 the condition has not provided incremental profit from volume of deliveries since variable costs related to wages and PPE for delivery personnel have soared. 

A factor inhibiting profit will be the unfortunate reality that a quarter of existing restaurant may not survive the COVID-19 crisis for which there is no timeline for resolution in the absence of an effective vaccine.  Restaurants are also disinclined to continue with high delivery fees.  The Just Eat Takeaway model of acquiring orders through apps and sophisticated software integrated with kitchens appears to be more acceptable than the more comprehensive Uber Eats, DoorDash and Postmates approach involving home delivery.  Just Eat Takeaway is assembling orders but is encouraging individual restaurants in urban locations with a high population density to complete their own deliveries.