Instacart launches business-to-business marketplace

Instacart is connecting small businesses to retailers of organizational items.

The grocery technology company is introducing Instacart Business, a new offering that delivers professional supplies from more than 80,000 stores of 1,100 retail banners across more than 14,000 cities in the U.S. and Canada. The total assortment of more than 1.5 million unique products includes bulk and value products from retail partners such as Costco Business Center, Staples, and BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Instacart Business customers can create a shopping list and order goods with a few taps. Customers can also use an auto-order feature for items that they need on a rolling basis and automatically recreate previous orders. There are no monthly minimum order requirements or additional contracts required.

The onboarding process to shop all participating retailers can be completed in three clicks, and businesses can also join a waitlist for new features that will be made available over the coming months.

Flexible delivery options include same-day delivery in as little as 30 minutes, discounted no-rush delivery, and long distance delivery options. The program also offers a business credit option and tax exemptions for eligible organizations in select states.

To help support diverse small businesses, Instacart is partnering with organizations including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Black Chambers, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Pan Asian American Chambers of Commerce, Women’s Buiness Enterprise National Council, and Black Enterprise.

“At Instacart, we don’t believe that the cost of doing business should be so costly,” Asha Sharma, COO of Instacart, said in a corporate blog post. That’s why today we’re excited to announce that Instacart is officially open for business with the launch of Instacart Business. From stocking up on snacks in the office break room to getting last-minute supplies delivered to a family-owned restaurant in a pinch, our affordable, convenient and flexible marketplace connects retailers to businesses, but with some new updates tailor-made for this important community.

“For many business owners, there aren’t enough hours in the day, so they need multiple options to choose what works for them given their schedules,” said Rob Parker, senior VP, Costco Business Center. “We’ve always offered the flexibility to shop our selection of business-focused items in person or via local delivery, and with the option to shop from any of our 23 locations via Instacart, business owners can stay at their business, yet, get what they need within hours, and get back to business quickly.”

“Staples is thrilled to be a part of the launch of Instacart Business,” said Ory Adler, VP, digital & loyalty, Staples U.S. Retail. “We know that every minute of a small business owner’s day is critical, and with Instacart Business they now have easy, same-day delivery access to our extensive Staples product assortment and print services, saving them valuable time to focus on their business.”

Instacart provides professional solutions

Instacart Business is Instacart’s latest offering intended for retail and corporate customers. Most notably, the company provides the Instacart Platform, a range of enterprise technologies retailers can use a la carte or as a suite, which it recently expanded with four new solutions.