San Francisco-based Instacart has introduced four new platform technologies designed to help independent grocers offer more connected experiences to customers.
The new offerings include online and in-store solutions that help retailers capture new ad revenue, bring more of their store online, better support employees and offer end-to-end fulfillment. These new capabilities are available to grocers across North America, and are being used by wholesalers such as Associated Food Stores and retailers New Seasons Market, Niemann Foods, The Fresh Market and Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace.
“Grocers are central to their communities – they help us put food on the table, create local jobs and connect us with our neighbors. At Instacart, we want to enable grocers of all sizes to grow, thrive and serve their customers, no matter how they choose to shop,” said Chris Rogers, chief business officer.
“We’re proud to continue to expand the Instacart Platform to offer grocers new tools and technologies that help them evolve their online offering, create connected in-store experiences and develop an omnichannel strategy that supports the unique needs of their business and their customers.”
- Carrot Ads helps grocers establish and grow their retail media networks to capture new revenue streams on their owned and operated websites and apps. Grocers can offer display ads, in addition to Instacart’s sponsored product solution, to connect CPG brands with consumers on their e-commerce properties, creating new opportunities for growth.
- FoodStorm, Instacart’s order management system, will now support items sold by weight including all fresh food and prepared items found at deli and meat counters. With this expansion, grocers can support order management and offer digital ordering, pickup and delivery through a single, connected platform.
- Caper Carts, smart carts by Instacart, can be managed remotely in real time through a tablet, giving retailers a remote bird’s-eye view of their stores, showing how many carts are being used, what types of items are being shopped and to flag issues for audit.
- Rosie, Instacart’s white-label e-commerce solution for local and independent grocers, will allow retailers to use Instacart fulfillment services to pick, pack and deliver orders. With integrated fulfillment, independent grocers can get a customizable online storefront with web page creation capabilities, fulfillment and customer support.
“We care deeply about empowering grocers of all sizes to serve their customers and communities,” said Nick Nickitas, general manager of local independent grocers at Instacart.
“Instacart is building technology to invest in the future of our retail partners, and we believe that local and independent grocers in particular can benefit from easy, affordable solutions that are built just for them. We put your store in the palms of your customers’ hands so you can meet them where and how they want to shop.”
Laura Strange, SVP of communications and external affairs at NGA, said, “We’re encouraged to see Instacart continue to invest in technologies that enable local and independent grocers to compete. Independent grocers are vibrant parts of their communities, and aim to help customers access quality, variety and value. We applaud Instacart’s efforts in furthering their commitment to independent community grocers.”
Instacart will be showcasing these technologies at the NGA Show at booth No. 1349. On Feb. 26, Rogers and David McIntosh, VP and general manager of connected stores, will participate in a fireside chat on the future of grocery during the Technology Summit.
