The chapter outlines the importance of being connected over the internet and the opportunities the world wide web (WWW) offers to the foodservice industry. Restaurants, bars, and catering companies can significantly benefit from the exposure a website gives them internationally 24/7/365. Today's business landscape is far more connected worldwide than ever before. Not having a presence on the internet with a website and or an e-commerce business means being left out without exposure and without the possibility of expanding the business. The questions a foodservice operator should ask are not about the need for the internet and a website, but rather how much should be invested in it. Millions of businesses like restaurants worldwide have benefited from their website and presence on the WWW. The opportunities to increase revenue and compete against others have never been greater, from online table reservation systems to selling recipe books and merchandise.
TopIntroduction
With the evolution of the Internet, the business world has become increasingly involved in the practice of using the so-called “World Wide Web” (WWW) or the “information superhighway”, to deal with unlimited business undertakings. The Internet is a collection of interconnected computer networks that provide free exchanging of information all the time.
Table 1 shows the world internet usage and statistics by continents. As of December 2019, about 57% of the world’s population, or 4,574,150,134 people, use the Internet. The largest share of users is in Asia, with 50.3% usage as a ratio to the total world’s usage. As such, the Internet has become a powerful channel for business marketing and communication, and new business opportunities - as it is often called as “e-business” or “e-commerce” today (Napier et. al, 2001; Flynn & Anderson, 2003).
This virtual marketplace allows all companies to compete for the same products or services they provide. Under the same wave, online customers can enjoy a more extensive choice of products or services, more competitive prices and discounts, and being able to buy their favorite products or services from the sellers located anywhere on the globe.
Table 1. World internet usage and population statistics, World Internet Users and 2020 Population Stats
WORLD INTERNET USAGE AND POPULATION STATISTICS
2019 Year-End Estimates |
| World Regions | Population
(2020 Est.) | Population
% of World | Internet Users
31 Dec 2019 | Penetration
Rate (% Pop.) | Growth
2000-2020 | Internet
World % |
| Africa | 1,340,598,447 | 17.2% | 526,374,930 | 39.3% | 11,559% | 11.5% |
| Asia | 4,294,516,659 | 55.1% | 2,300,469,859 | 53.6% | 1,913% | 50.3% |
| Europe | 834,995,197 | 10.7% | 727,814,272 | 87.2% | 592% | 15.9% |
| Latin America / Caribbean | 658,345,826 | 8.5% | 453,702,292 | 68.9% | 2,411% | 10.0% |
| Middle East | 260,991,690 | 3.9% | 180,498,292 | 69.2% | 5,395% | 3.9% |
| North America | 368,869,647 | 4.7% | 348,908,868 | 94.6% | 222% | 7.6% |
| Oceania / Australia | 42,690,838 | 0.5% | 28,775,373 | 67.4% | 277% | 0.6% |
| WORLD TOTAL | 7,796,615,710 | 100.0% | 4,574,150,134 | 58.7% | 1,167% | 100.0% |
| NOTES: (1) Internet Usage and World Population Statistics estimates are for Dec 31, 2019, as of March 3, 2020. (2) CLICK on each world region name for detailed regional usage information. (3) Demographic (Population) numbers are based on data from the United Nations Population Division. (4) Internet usage information comes from data published by Nielsen Online, by the International Telecommunications Union, by GfK, by local ICT Regulators and other reliable sources. (5) For definitions, navigation help and disclaimers, please refer to the Website Surfing Guide. (6) The information from this website may be cited, giving the due credit and placing a link back to www.internetworldstats.com. Copyright © 2020, Miniwatts Marketing Group. All rights reserved worldwide. |
Source: Internet World Stats: https://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm