From Errand Boys to Unmanned Rovers: The History of Delivery in Russia

A couple of years ago, provocative questions from trolls started popping up on internet forums:

 "What app did Soviet citizens use to call a taxi or order groceries to their home? Did they have some kind of unified aggregator or their own website?"

"Is it true that in the USSR, Samokat couriers rode Orlyonok bicycles, or did they have corporate mopeds?"

These and other "bait" questions made some people worry about the intelligence of the younger generation, while others took the opportunity to criticize the late Soviet Union once again. Trolls have no idea that there are actually correct answers to these questions. And the delivery industry was born long before Lenin climbed onto the armored car.

The knock of a courier at the door has become as familiar to us as electricity or running water. But the road to this comfort was long, full of ups and downs of all sorts of ideas. We have gathered the most interesting facts to show: everything new is well-forgotten old, and we invite you to trace how the culture of delivery in Russia has changed through the prism of historical eras.

Errand Boys and Cookshops: Startups of the Russian Empire

"— What would you like, sir? — the waiter rushes to the guest... The waiters at 'Guria' were mostly former house servants, well-trained, fawning over anyone who paid. This was 'what would you like, sir' in its purest form" — "Moscow and Muscovites".

Some things never change. For example, fashionistas of the century before last waited for couriers with their outfits, just as we do today. Most often, dresses were delivered by apprentices and students of the atelier.

One of the first to systematize delivery was the "Muir & Mirrielees" store (the future TSUM). This premium goods store offered a phenomenally high level of service, including delivery to any address for purchases over 50 rubles.

In terms of organizing the delivery process, the Scottish store was not so unique at the time. Many shops offered a special porter with a cart, usually a very young boy, who would deliver your purchases home for a shiny coin. The rest of the time, he would clean and run errands, hence the expression "errand boy." After some time in such an internship, he could be promoted to a full-fledged salesperson. 

In the second half of the 19th century, so-called "cookshops" became widespread. These were modest canteens for those who could not afford a cook or a kitchen as such. The main target audience was students and the poor. And yes, you could order home delivery there, as well as buy a monthly subscription for 10 rubles. Some establishments operated without dining halls, only for takeout—a prototype of modern fast food and daily subscription meals.

By the way, the price structure was such that eating by delivery was often more profitable than keeping servants at home and heating the stove.

And in the early years of the 20th century, couriers were already driving around the capital in cars, mostly trucks. One can imagine the sensation caused by these self-propelled carts loaded with bread and other perishable goods.

Order Desks and Couriers for the Elite: Why Service in the USSR Was Not for Everyone

"Everything here is by order, everything through the back door!" — "The Blonde Around the Corner".

In the USSR, when everything was done slowly but with a sense of duty, all "aristocratic habits" were eradicated. Helpful boys with carts no longer scurried after ladies in luxurious fur coats. But delivery, in one form or another, still existed. Not for everyone, as expected.

In reality, Soviet service worked through "Order Desks." You would call a department at a large grocery store, and a courier (often just a store employee) would deliver a set of groceries. There was a markup—at least 10% for the service—but the main benefit was the chance to get scarce goods: a jar of caviar or Finnish salami hidden between bags of grains (if your status allowed). Delivery was not widespread, but rather "status-based" or necessary for the disabled and veterans.

Since the 1950s, ready-made food delivery existed de jure in Moscow and Leningrad. In 1957, the newspaper "Leningradskaya Pravda" wrote about one such establishment:

"On Saturday, you can order a Sunday lunch for your family here: solyanka, aspic fish, rice pie, roast... Delivery is free".

However, home delivery of ready-made food remained a privilege for high-ranking officials. And as for how "free" it really was, we already figured that out with grocery delivery.

The delivery methods were not much different from today: on foot, by car, by cargo scooter. And delivery drones could probably be found in some science fiction works of the time.

Despite the existence of home delivery, the system never really caught on in the USSR. Perhaps pragmatic citizens were in no hurry to overpay for what was already expensive in stores. But there was no clear promotion of delivery at the state level. Otherwise, Soviet film characters would have used it as routinely as savings banks, tape recorders, and everyday Aeroflot flights.

In the 1980s, shortages worsened, incomes plummeted, and the very idea of home food delivery gradually disappeared even among the few ordinary citizens who could afford it.

Was There Flower Delivery in the USSR?

There was, but with significant caveats. The Soviet school of floristry lagged somewhat behind the West. Year-round flower cultivation was simply impossible in most of the union's territories. But in any shortage, there are those willing to provide goods in exchange for unearned income. "Entrepreneurs," often from the Caucasus, sold flowers "under the table." Today, this might seem amusing, but the flower mafia was part of a large criminal industry.

Flowers were in short supply. And the possibility of having them delivered was a privilege for the chosen few, and not a cheap one. In ordinary stores, you would most often find gladioli, carnations, and roses.

Couriers vs. Crime: Why Delivery Was a Dangerous Profession in the 90s

Woman: "Thanks to him, we have many things... for example, 'Pizza Hut'!" The debaters fall silent, agree, and raise their pizza slices to Gorbachev. All together: "To Gorbachev!" — "Pizza Hut" commercial.

In a market economy, service inevitably began to develop. Now, in the food service sector, there was competition. And the winner was the one who could offer clients the most advantageous and comfortable conditions.

The experience of building a large-scale delivery system was borrowed from overseas. Along with pizza as a concept, thermal bags and branded cars were imported. Some drove with advertising hats on their roofs, if you remember. A complete copy of the Americans.

Following the big chains, smaller restaurants began to adopt the practice. By the 2000s, delivery had become commonplace, but unlike the USSR, the focus was on ready-made food. Other groceries were still preferred to be bought the old-fashioned way.

Orders were still placed by phone. There was no talk of card payments then; couriers had to carry a large supply of cash. This was the main danger of the job—at any moment, some criminal-looking citizen could "help" you part with it.

The flower business kept up. With the opening of borders, the range of goods expanded significantly. For example, flowers from Holland appeared. Delivery evolved into festive greetings by courier, and floristry began to adopt the experience of overseas colleagues.

It is also worth mentioning an interesting result of mass emigration to the West. A whole service for delivering flowers across Russia from abroad appeared. To remind relatives left in the post-Soviet space of your unconditional love in separation. It still exists today.

The Era of Utkonos and the Pandemic Boom: When Couriers Became the Most Important People in the City

"The line between order and disorder lies in logistics" — Sun Tzu, "The Art of War".

Over the past 15 years, the delivery industry has made a huge leap. The sector has provided jobs for millions of people and become part of the modern city's ecosystem.

The very concept of a store without a physical presence could only be fully realized with the spread of the internet and smartphones, which happened at the end of the 2000s. Dark kitchens and dark stores do not need cashiers, security guards, or fancy sales floors, and over time, even phone operators became unnecessary.

The pioneer and most successful player on the market until the second half of the 2010s was the Moscow delivery service "Utkonos." The founders reinvented the order desk, which had disappeared as a phenomenon with the collapse of the USSR. With the integration of new technologies and skillful logistics, "Utkonos" paved the way for today's market leaders ("Yandex Food," "Delivery," "Chibbis") and helped simplify life for many people.

The pandemic allowed delivery services to make another leap forward. Under strict restrictions, especially in the capital, couriers finally became part of our daily lives. Many restaurants were able to avoid closure precisely thanks to delivery services, and online platforms secured a comfortable existence for years to come, not to mention funds for further development.

Notice how we are now completely indifferent to unmanned delivery rovers.

Comrades!

Robots!

Are delivering your food!

The future has arrived. Even if this future sometimes glitches and requires strong human hands to continue its mission.

What’s Next?

"Traditional stores as they exist now are doomed to disappear. In the future, people will go to stores not for shopping, but for socializing and entertainment" — Lev Khasis.

If we are not destined to experience a technological disaster or an alien invasion in the coming years (the twenties already seem to hold no surprises), the following forecast can be made:

• An increase in the number of dark kitchens and dark stores operating exclusively for delivery. Saving on guest halls and staff is very relevant now.
• Deep integration of AI into ordering apps. "Co-pilots" will help select bouquets and meals tailored to individual preferences. For example, many of us are tired of counting calories. A robot will assemble an option that matches your daily intake from your favorite foods.
• The "subscription meal" niche will grow. 
• Many couriers will be replaced by rovers, and perhaps later by flying drones (but not for all types of delivery).
• Retail will increasingly compete with restaurants in ready-made food delivery.
• Delivery pricing will become dynamic, like taxis.

These are just forecasts, not guarantees. But major changes are inevitably coming to foodtech.

A small chest is stuck in the slushy snow. Its wheels spin helplessly in a snowdrift, and ice is starting to accumulate on its body. Random passersby, acting in unison without a word, begin to push the unfortunate robot to freedom. After a few powerful shoves, the rover gains traction and rushes off into the winter blizzard. It does not eat or sleep. It fears neither frost nor heat. It’s just a bit clumsy sometimes. It is — a courier. And its main mission — is to deliver the package.

From errand boys at TSUM to cloud-based CRMs—the 150-year journey has brought us to the point where today you can launch your own delivery service in just a couple of clicks!

One thing can be said for sure: everything our company has created for its clients over the past 13 years has not been in vain, but has become part of a new reality. Restaurants and flower shops without delivery services have practically gone extinct. If courier service was once considered a pleasant bonus, now it is a necessity.

The development of automation platforms like FoodSoul allows many aspiring entrepreneurs to start their own business more easily. No special skills in creating websites and apps are required, nor huge budgets for specialists. Such a platform is an ecosystem that a business owner can easily manage through a CRM.

We would be happy to see you among our clients!

Best regards,

Viktor, SEO Specialist at FoodSoul