Paresse business : petits livreurs et gros profits | Vivons heureux - ARTE Radio Podcasts

Name: Paresse business : petits livreurs et gros profits | Vivons heureux - ARTE Radio Podcasts
Uploaded: 2022-05-11T18:00:02.000Z
Duration: 1 h 26 min 53 s

The End of an Era

The narrator talks about a restaurant called "Le Roi du Couscous" that recently closed down, marking the end of an era for the neighborhood.

Memories of "Le Roi du Couscous"

The restaurant was run by the same couple since at least the 1980s.

They served tajine for 11 euros and allowed customers to bring their own wine.

It was a popular spot for Friday night family dinners when there was nothing in the fridge.

The closure of the restaurant saddened everyone as it symbolized the end of an era.

A Dark Kitchen Takes Its Place

Construction work begins to renovate the former restaurant space, and it becomes clear that a new type of establishment will replace "Le Roi du Couscous."

Introducing Dark Kitchen

Workers install a sliding window and a counter facing the street instead of traditional tables and chairs.

Large Hubert Rites logos are displayed on the storefront.

It is revealed that a dark kitchen, which delivers meals ordered through an app, will open in its place.

Quick Commerce - A New Phenomenon

The narrator reflects on how they were unaware of the rise of quick commerce until "Le Roi du Couscous" closed down.

Quick Commerce Defined

Quick commerce refers to instant delivery services for both meals and everyday groceries.

Advertisements promoting quick commerce are everywhere, from public transportation to online platforms like YouTube.

Changing City Dynamics

The narrator contemplates how quick commerce is reshaping cities and people's lives.

The Impact of Quick Commerce

Quick commerce offers convenience and promises to simplify daily tasks like grocery shopping.

Companies like Getty Gorille and Zfu Link offer quick delivery of everyday products within minutes.

Dark stores, inaccessible to the public, serve as distribution centers for quick commerce.

Unveiling the Quick Commerce Phenomenon

The narrator embarks on an investigation into quick commerce and its implications.

Researching Quick Commerce

Quick commerce emerged during the pandemic but has not been extensively documented yet.

Hubert Guyot, editor-in-chief of Internet Actu, provides insights into the hidden aspects of quick commerce.

Invisibility in Quick Commerce

The narrator explores the concept of invisibility in quick commerce and its effects on society.

Invisibility in Quick Commerce

Quick commerce operates behind the scenes, making it invisible to consumers.

This invisibility extends to stores, employees, and economic circuits involved in providing quick commerce services.

It raises questions about our understanding of cities, social relationships, and economic structures.

Convenience vs. Concealment

The narrator ponders whether concealment is intentional or simply a byproduct of convenience in quick commerce.

Balancing Visibility and Convenience

Concealing aspects of quick commerce may be intended to enhance user experience and avoid overwhelming consumers with information.

Consumers interact with quick commerce primarily through apps on their phones, unaware of the complex processes triggered by a simple click.

Unveiling Hidden Realities

The narrator emphasizes the importance of understanding what happens behind the scenes in quick commerce.

Revealing Hidden Realities

Hubert Guillaud raises the crucial question of what occurs behind the scenes in quick commerce.

The hidden operations of dark stores and algorithms that power delivery services are intentionally concealed to provide a seamless user experience.

Timestamps may not be accurate due to limitations in processing non-English language.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the concept of convenience and how it is related to the use of delivery applications. The promise of convenience is to simplify one's existence by making things easier.

Convenience and Delivery Applications

Convenience is a promise to simplify one's existence by making things easier.

Delivery applications focus on providing convenience through features like easy ordering, fast delivery, and efficiency.

The ease of using these applications can be manipulative and may involve ergonomic design elements.

The screen interface and buttons in these applications make it effortless to choose what to order and get it delivered quickly with minimal effort.

Hubert Guillaud mentions the idea of "force tranquille" or quiet strength, where people naturally want to do as little as possible.

It is difficult to resist the allure of convenience offered by delivery applications, which have reached an ultimate stage of simplicity.

New Section

This section explores how technology has taken control over our lives through mechanisms like the click gesture. It also highlights Jeff Bezos' understanding of optimizing the buying process for customers.

The Power of Clicking

Deng et l'art et Lorraine Bodart explain in their book "Les Possédés" how technology has taken control over our lives.

They emphasize the significance of micro gestures like clicking, which we perform approximately 250 times a day without much thought.

Jeff Bezos realized that there was a loss in orders when customers had to enter their payment and delivery information during online purchases.

To optimize this process, he patented the idea of "buy in one click," allowing customers to save their information for future purchases with just one click.

This philosophy reflects our desire for extreme comfort and doing as little as possible.

New Section

This section discusses the impact of delivery applications on our social connections and the potential political issues they raise.

Disconnecting from Others

Delivery applications, like Amazon, provide extreme convenience by delivering products to our doorstep in a matter of minutes.

However, this convenience comes at a cost as it disconnects us from others, particularly those who work behind the scenes preparing orders or working in kitchens.

The pandemic has further exacerbated this disconnection, creating a barrier between customers and workers.

It is important to acknowledge and understand the experiences of these workers who remain invisible to us.

Meeting and engaging with delivery drivers or other workers can help bridge this gap and shed light on their lives.

New Section

In this section, the speaker shares their encounter with Abdallah, a delivery worker, highlighting his aspirations and challenges.

Meeting Abdallah

Abdallah is not his real name but a pseudonym used to protect his identity while working for Frichti, a meal delivery company in France.

He came to France with dreams of success but found himself cycling for ten hours a day with a heavy insulated bag on his back.

Abdallah mentions the invisibility that exists between him as a worker and the customers he serves.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified this barrier between customers and workers.

Understanding the experiences of these workers can help create empathy and bridge the gap between them and customers.

Delivery on the Doorstep

The convenience of having deliveries left at the doorstep is discussed, highlighting how it eliminates the need for personal interaction and allows delivery drivers to optimize their time.

Convenience and Efficiency

Customers receive notifications to have their orders delivered directly to their doorstep.

This option gained popularity during the lockdown period.

It saves customers from interacting with delivery drivers and avoids the need for climbing stairs or navigating through traffic.

Delivery drivers can optimize their time by delivering more orders, resulting in increased earnings.

Joining the Delivery Industry

The speaker shares his experience of joining the delivery industry as a means of earning money while training on his bicycle.

Transition into Delivery

Due to visa limitations, the speaker faced challenges finding work but was eventually offered a job in delivery by his cousin.

Initially hesitant, he decided to give it a try as it aligned with his interest in cycling and physical fitness.

He started working as a delivery driver for Free Su in November 2019, which was easier during winter due to higher demand and fewer competitors.

Winter Challenges for Delivery Drivers

The difficulties faced by delivery drivers during winter are discussed, including decreased availability of drivers due to cold weather conditions.

Winter Challenges

During winter, there is an increase in customer orders but a decrease in available delivery drivers due to harsh weather conditions.

Many drivers do not want to work outside in the cold, even with proper equipment like heated gloves.

As a result, companies may hire undocumented workers or those with fake papers who are willing to work despite legal issues.

Discrepancies in the Delivery Industry

The contrast between the practices of delivery startups and their portrayal as innovative companies is highlighted, along with the financial success of the quick commerce sector.

Discrepancies in the Industry

Delivery startups often rely on undocumented workers, despite presenting themselves as innovative and technologically advanced.

The quick commerce sector has seen significant financial success, with some companies valued at billions of dollars.

The speaker acknowledges a lack of understanding regarding how these companies raise such large amounts of funding.

Understanding Capitalism and Profitability

An economist explains the context of contemporary capitalism and its decreasing profitability, leading to questions about why delivery companies receive substantial funding.

Context of Capitalism

Contemporary capitalism has experienced a decline in overall profitability over the past 50 years.

Productivity gains have slowed down, meaning less can be produced with the same amount of work or resources.

Despite some productivity improvements, overall economic growth has become weaker.

This understanding helps explain why delivery companies attract significant funding despite potential profitability concerns.

Importance of Productivity Growth

The importance of productivity growth for economic development is emphasized, providing insight into the concept's relevance.

Significance of Productivity Growth

Productivity growth refers to producing more with fewer resources or time.

It plays a crucial role in economic development and determines how much society can produce and consume.

Understanding productivity growth helps grasp concepts related to economic progress and efficiency.

New Section

This section discusses the limited productivity gains in delivery services and the risks taken by delivery drivers.

Productivity Gains and Risks in Delivery Services

Limited productivity gains in delivery services are due to the time required for both order preparation and delivery.

The only potential productivity gains come from the risks taken by the delivery driver during the process.

Delivery platforms prioritize faster deliveries to enhance their credibility with customers, which affects the earnings of drivers.

Drivers who take longer to complete deliveries receive fewer orders and earn less money, leading them to try to increase their order volume.

New Section

In this section, Abdallah explains how he is paid as a delivery driver and highlights the challenges faced in securing time slots for work.

Payment Structure and Challenges Faced by Delivery Drivers

Abdallah shares his payment structure: €5 per hour, €0.50 - €1 per order, and additional payment based on distance traveled.

Faster deliveries improve credibility with customers but result in lower earnings for drivers.

Abdallah provides an example of his own earnings over a two-week period, highlighting the challenges faced in maximizing income.

New Section

This section explores how algorithms pressure drivers to increase productivity through bonuses while discussing their impact on overall profitability.

Algorithmic Pressure and Profitability

Algorithms push drivers to deliver orders as quickly as possible to enhance customer satisfaction.

Faster deliveries build credibility but reduce earnings for drivers.

Abdallah shares his own experience of working long hours (102 hours) with significant distances covered (482.6 km) but earning only €1300 over 15 days due to bonus calculations.

The low productivity gains in home delivery services raise questions about how these companies generate profits.

New Section

This section delves into the economic interests of delivery companies and their profit models.

Economic Interests and Profit Models

Delivery companies' profits are not based on productivity gains but rather on a transfer of market activity.

These companies aim to take market share from traditional supermarkets and grocery stores by offering delivery services.

The predatory nature of these companies lies in their ability to attract customers through marketing investments.

Investors support these companies, anticipating changes in consumer habits and seeking to benefit from market shifts.

New Section

This section discusses the creation of artificial needs through massive marketing investments and the role of investors in financing these endeavors.

Artificial Needs and Investor Financing

Delivery services create artificial needs by promoting convenience and quick deliveries.

Massive marketing investments are made to shift consumer behavior towards using delivery services.

Investors finance these marketing campaigns as they seek to capitalize on changing consumer habits.

The goal is for new delivery service providers to replace traditional retailers as the market matures, leading to potential growth opportunities.

New Section

This section highlights how investors bet on changing consumer habits and the impact on traditional retailers.

Investor Bets and Impact on Traditional Retailers

Investors support delivery service providers with the expectation that they will outperform traditional retailers affected by this new market activity.

Once the market reaches maturity, there may be limited growth opportunities for these new players.

Delivery services aim to capture a significant portion of the grocery shopping market, which includes a large customer base of 66 million people in France alone.

Massive capital investment is required to attract customers away from traditional supermarkets, making investor financing crucial for success.

The Importance of Carrefour's Market

This section discusses the market in which Carrefour operates and its significance.

Carrefour's Market

Carrefour operates in a specific market.

The market on which Carrefour acts will always remain the same.

The Low Cost of Delivery Flyers

This section explores the low cost of delivery flyers and questions why they are so inexpensive.

Inexpensive Delivery Flyers

A flyer offering delivery for €1.80 was found in the speaker's mailbox.

It is unclear why the cost of delivery is so low or almost negligible.

The speaker wonders how it is possible to have groceries delivered to one's home at such a low price.

Subsidized Capital and Low Delivery Prices

This section explains how subsidized capital contributes to low delivery prices.

Subsidized Capital and Delivery Prices

The low prices for delivery do not indicate better performance compared to other competitors who charge three or four times more.

These companies pay similar salaries and expenses, so the reason for such low delivery costs lies in their subsidized capital.

Private or public actors subsidize the capital of these companies, allowing them to offer cheap deliveries.

Understanding Subsidies

This section provides an explanation of subsidies and their role in maintaining low prices during a certain phase.

Phase of Subsidies

Subsidies involve using financial resources to ensure the survival of a company while maintaining extremely low prices.

The goal is to habituate consumers to use this service without considering economic sense or supply-demand equilibrium.

Psychological Mechanism Behind Low Prices

This section discusses how consumers become accustomed to low prices and stop questioning them.

Psychological Mechanism of Low Prices

Consumers enter a psychological mechanism where they no longer question the low prices.

The speaker suggests that people start doing things automatically without considering the price.

This behavior is reinforced by the fact that everyone else is doing it, creating a sense of normalization.

Transition from Subsidies to Profitability

This section explains how companies transition from subsidized phases to profitability.

Transitioning to Profitability

Once consumers are accustomed to low prices, subsidies decrease.

Companies need to become profitable and start increasing prices.

To achieve profitability, companies cut costs, increase workload, and exploit workers in physically demanding jobs.

Challenges Faced by Workers

This section highlights the physical challenges faced by workers in physically demanding jobs.

Physical Challenges for Workers

Initially, the work is physically challenging, but the body adapts over time.

However, if workers have a few days off without work, their bodies experience pain and fatigue.

Being undocumented adds additional risks as there is no health insurance or support in case of accidents or injuries.

Frichti's Change in Business Model

This section discusses Frichti's change in business model and its impact on delivery workers.

Frichti's Business Model Change

Frichti initially announced that it would not use self-employed status for its delivery workers.

However, when trying to become more profitable, Frichti changed its business model and started hiring self-employed delivery workers like Abdallah.

Focusing on Speed and Convenience

This section explores why people value convenience and rapidity in food delivery services like Frichti.

Importance of Convenience and Speed

People today value convenience and being delivered food without the need to leave their homes.

This preference for convenience is not solely due to the pandemic but also a result of increased pressure in the workplace.

Impact of Work Pressure on Delivery Services

This section discusses how work pressure and individualization affect the demand for convenient delivery services.

Work Pressure and Demand for Delivery Services

The pressure to increase profits leads to individualization and competition among workers.

Telecommuting has become possible due to a management regime that prioritizes profit growth over everything else.

This regime increases work pressure, leading people to seek convenience outside of work.

Individualization and Competition in Telecommuting

This section explains how telecommuting intensifies individualization, competition, and work pressure.

Individualization and Competition in Telecommuting

Telecommuting represents the pinnacle of individualized work processes.

It increases competition among workers, making the job market more fluid.

Individuals subjected to these pressures are highly receptive to messages promoting minimal effort outside of work.

The Importance of Delivery Services for Elderly and Busy Individuals

This section discusses the significance of delivery services, particularly for elderly individuals and those with busy schedules. It highlights how these services cater to their needs and improve convenience.

Delivery Services for Convenience

Delivery services are essential for people who don't have time to go to stores or supermarkets for their shopping needs.

These services are especially beneficial in the evenings when people need groceries or other items delivered to their homes.

Elderly individuals who cannot leave their homes or use smartphones rely on delivery services, as they may have family members who can place orders on their behalf.

Challenges Faced by Delivery Personnel

Delivery personnel often encounter challenges when delivering orders to elderly individuals living alone. They may need assistance in carrying heavy packages into the house due to physical limitations.

In some cases, delivery personnel may need to enter the customer's home to ensure the order is received properly, which can be risky and potentially dangerous if accidents occur without witnesses present.

The responsibility falls on the delivery person even though it should ideally be the responsibility of the customer's family members or caregivers to assist them during deliveries.

Reflection on Capitalism and Consumer Needs

The discussion leads to a reflection on capitalism, where consumer needs are not always prioritized over capital accumulation and profit generation. While certain advancements like household appliances have improved quality of life, overall economic development is driven by profit rather than fulfilling genuine needs.

Companies like dark kitchens (delivery-only restaurants) exemplify this trend by creating markets based on profitability rather than addressing real social needs. They either provide non-profitable services or invent new needs that are financially viable.

The Metaverse and Consumerism

The concept of the metaverse, a virtual parallel world, is discussed as an example of consumerism driven by financial interests rather than genuine needs. Facebook's vision of replicating real-world experiences online does not fulfill any essential requirements but serves the interests of finance and capitalism.

Investments in the metaverse highlight how society prioritizes virtual experiences over addressing pressing issues such as inequality, climate change, or geopolitical conflicts.

Conclusion

The podcast concludes with a call to resist exploitative practices and prioritize genuine human well-being over profit-driven consumerism. It emphasizes the need to live happily before the potential end of the world.