ROSES rest on the passenger seat as a driver heads out to deliver a Valentine’s surprise. Photograph courtesy of Maxim
BLAST

Hearts drive Maxim demand

Valentine’s Day often tests how well logistics platforms can handle sudden demand.

DT

Valentine’s Day once again proved to be a busy time for Maxim Rides & Food Delivery, with the platform recording more than double its usual number of orders compared to the day before.

The spike shows how many Filipinos now lean on delivery services to pull off surprises, even at the last minute.

Flowers still topped the list as bouquets moved in large numbers across the cities where Maxim operates. Chocolates and cakes followed close behind.

Perfumes, beauty products, and full dinner sets also made their way through the app. Some customers went beyond the usual gifts. Couriers handled lingerie, handwritten letters, stuffed toys, and even engagement rings.

Activity stayed steady from morning until evening. Around 32 percent of deliveries came in between 8 a.m. and noon.

Another 31 percent were booked from noon to late afternoon. The same 31 percent share fell between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Only 6 percent of orders came in from 8 p.m. to midnight. The numbers suggest many customers scheduled their surprises ahead of lunch and dinner plans.

The data covered 19 cities across the country. Maxim said the figures reflect how delivery platforms now play a key part in modern celebrations. Many customers prefer to send gifts directly to homes, offices, or restaurants instead of handing them over in person.

Maxim started its Philippine operations in 2020, with Cebu as its first city. It has since expanded to 19 more cities nationwide. Aside from delivery, the company operates as a licensed transport network company.

It offers car rides and, in Metro Manila and Cagayan de Oro, takes part in a pilot program that allows motorcycle passenger transport.

The platform runs on two main apps. One is for customers placing orders. The other is for drivers and couriers who complete them. The company said its system can process millions of bookings and connect a large network of users and partners.

Valentine’s Day often tests how well logistics platforms can handle sudden demand. This year’s figures show that more Filipinos trust delivery riders with meaningful and sometimes high-value items.

It also shows how celebrations have shifted. A bouquet or a ring now travels through traffic before reaching someone’s hands.

Maxim’s numbers point to a growing habit. When the calendar turns to 14 February, many skip the long lines and let a rider do the run. That was the picture across 19 cities this year.