Quick ecommerce app Gorillas closes in Italy. After just one year of operation, the company abandoned the square and laid off all staff, 540 people. The decision had already been leaked a few weeks ago, when news broke of the launch of its own private label in some foreign markets.
Gorillas invests in 5 countries and closes in Italy
Gorillas decided to focus on Germany (where she was born, in Berlin), France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States (New York City). That is, the key markets from which most revenues are derived (90 percent). In Italy, on the other hand, in the five cities of Milan, Rome, Turin, Bergamo, and Florence, after the success it garnered during the worst phases of the pandemic, it took note of the flop and packed up.
‘Regarding our presence in Italy, we have evaluated and are still carefully considering various strategic and financial alternatives, such as the sale of the company or the entry of new investors,’ the company explains.
While supplies last
‘However, to date no negotiations have been successfully concluded and there are currently no negotiations at a level of concreteness that would suggest a successful outcome. We have therefore decided to start a gradual process of closing down the business in Italy.
We have already closed 3 of our warehouses in the cities of Milan, Rome and Bergamo, while the other warehouses in the country will be closed in the coming weeks. Until then, and while supplies last, we will continue to provide home shopping service to our customers’, Gorillas points out in a statement dated 4.7.22.
A dream gone wrong
All Gorillas delivery boys (or riders) ride electric (zero emission) bicycles and are hired under regular employment contracts. In Italy they have been pedaling for a year, delivering groceries in a matter of minutes. Perfect service for workers and clients. But economically unsustainable.
For the workers, therefore, the road to layoffs opens.
‘This decision has important implications for our Italian team, which has already been informed of our plans for the market, and with respect to which we have initiated the procedures required by law and collective bargaining agreements for union consultation, preparatory to the dismissal of the entire workforce.’
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
