The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has partnered with Instacart as its new Red Oval Partner.
Through the arrangement, Instacart will make it easier for more than 2,000 IGA member stores across the U.S to access its suite of advanced technologies, insights and benefits.
These services offer enterprise-grade technology products and solutions that enhance retailers’ e-commerce websites and apps, streamline the order fulfillment process, digitize store operations, improve advertising strategies and provide actionable insights.
“IGA’s partnership with Instacart gives our independent retail members access to a dedicated team and a suite of capabilities and services to help drive greater omnichannel efficiency and effectiveness,” said Michael La Kier, IGA VP of brand development.
Over the last several years, Instacart has focused on bridging the gap between in-store and online commerce through its technology suite, Connected Stores, which helps grocers build a connected, seamless and personalized experience for customers.
IGA members will have a line to Instacart Platform and Connected Stores technologies, including:
- Storefront, Instacart’s next-generation storefront white-label solution;
- Caper Carts, artificial intelligence-powered (AI) smart carts that scan items as the customer drops them in the cart;
- Scan and Pay, allowing customers to checkout in store with their mobile phone;
- Carrot Tags, electronic shelf labels with pick-to-light capabilities;
- FoodStorm, helping manage food service and order ahead offerings;
- Out of Stock Insights, alerting stores in real time when an item is out of stock;
- Eversight, an SaaS platform that leverages dynamic rules management, AI-powered experimentation, and an easy merchant interface to drive business performance at scale across all channels
- Fulfillment as a Service, expands the e-commerce experience beyond delivery with curbside pickup services and overflow pick & pack support
IGA members will also have access to Instacart’s app and website, which gives retailers a way to connect with customers through the company’s marketplace and offer same-day delivery.
“The ability to include independent grocers on the Instacart App can help expand their reach and capture incremental sales that have long favored big box retailers. It’s another way we want to create a level playing field and help empower local businesses to thrive,” La Kier said.
When a shopper places an order through the Instacart platform via the Instacart App, a personal shopper will pick and deliver the order within the customer’s designated time frame.
“IGA and Instacart are committed to the success of independent grocers who serve their local communities everyday by catering to customers who are pressed for time, can’t get away or simply want to relax at home while they shop,” said Nick Nickitas, Instacart’s general manager of local independent grocery and founder of Rosie.
“This partnership is all about teaming up to deliver easy and affordable solutions to provide a great convenience for customers and drive profitable growth for retailers.”
Several IGA retailers have deployed Instacart solutions. Geissler’s Supermarkets, a seven-store IGA retailer with locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts, uses the Storefront white-label solution and has plans to deploy Caper Carts.
With this newly established Red Oval Partnership, Instacart will have Merrick Rosner, its head of revenue for local independent grocery, join IGA’s National Retailer Advisory Board. This level of engagement will further the collaboration between IGA leadership, retailers and strategic partners.
Read more association news from The Shelby Report.
