Instacart

Instacart is an American company that operates as a same-day grocery delivery and pick-up service in the U.S. and Canada. The company offers its services via a website and mobile app. The primary business model of Instacart is to deliver groceries from partnered retailers directly to customers' homes.

History

Instacart was founded in 2012 by Apoorva Mehta, a former Amazon employee. The company launched its services in San Francisco, Mountain View, and Palo Alto. Instacart initially delivered groceries from one store, Trader Joe's, and expanded to multiple other retailers over the years. The company has seen significant growth and expansion, reaching over 5,500 cities in North America as of 2021.

Business Model

Instacart's business model is based on delivering groceries and other store items from partnered retailers directly to customers. Customers shop for groceries and other items from local stores through the Instacart website or app. Instacart's Personal Shoppers then pick, pack, and deliver the order within the customer's chosen delivery timeframe—within one hour or up to five days in advance.

Partnerships

Instacart has partnered with a number of major retail chains, including Costco, Aldi, CVS Pharmacy, and Loblaw Companies in Canada. These partnerships allow Instacart to offer a wide variety of products and cater to a broad customer base.

Criticism and Controversies

Instacart has faced criticism and controversies, particularly related to its treatment of workers. Issues have included low wages, lack of benefits, and the use of customer tips to pay workers' wages. The company has also faced lawsuits related to data privacy and pricing practices.

See Also

• Online food ordering
• Grocery store
• E-commerce