Instacart expands omnichannel solutions offering for grocers
Instacart is launching four new technologies designed to help grocers offer more seamless, connected experiences to customers.
The new offerings include online and in-store solutions, which are now available to grocers across North America. Instacart is delivering the tools as part of the Instacart Platform, which offers a range of enterprise technologies retailers can use a la carte or as a suite.
Following are highlights of each new solution.
Carrot Ads expands with display ads
Carrot Ads brings Instacart advertising technology and capabilities to retailers’ owned and operated e-commerce sites, with monetization options including revenue share models. The company began offering CPG brands targeted access to its customers in October 2021 and launched a self-service search ad platform in 2020
Grocers can now offer display ads, in addition to Instacart's sponsored product solution, to connect CPG brands with consumers on their e-commerce properties, through Carrot Ads. Carrot Ads also now gives grocers and CPG brands access to closed-loop measurement and insights.
FoodStorm support for items sold by weight enables digital ordering for more items
FoodStorm, Instacart's order management system it purchased in October 2021, now supports items sold by weight, including all fresh food and prepared items typically found at deli and meat counters. With this expansion, grocers can now support order management and offer digital ordering, pickup and delivery of their deli and meat departments through a single, connected platform.
Caper Cart remote management offers auditing tools for store associates
The Instacart Caper Cart smart cart solution can now be managed remotely in real-time via tablet, giving retailers a remote view of their stores. This is intended to make it easier to see how many carts are being used, what types of items are being shopped, and to flag issues for audit.
Integrated fulfillment for Rosie-powered websites make it easy for independent grocers to get online
Rosie, Instacart's white-label e-commerce solution for local and independent grocers, now allows retailers to use Instacart fulfillment services to pick, pack, and deliver orders.
"We care deeply about empowering grocers of all sizes to serve their customers and communities," said Nick Nickitas, GM 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."
“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, Instacart. "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."
Current users of the new Instacart Platform solutions include The Fresh Market, Associated Food Stores, New Seasons Market, and Niemann Foods.
Instacart partners with more than 1,000 national, regional, and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 75,000 stores across North America