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Instacart

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description Instacart Overview

Instacart distinguishes itself by focusing primarily on grocery and retail delivery, although it has expanded to include prepared meals from restaurants. Its strength lies in the breadth of grocery store options available, often including specialty stores and local markets. Instacart's 'Personal Shoppers' hand-pick items and communicate with customers about substitutions. While generally more expensive than dedicated food delivery apps, the convenience of combined grocery and meal delivery is a significant draw.

The platform's emphasis on fresh produce and quality ingredients sets it apart.

help Instacart FAQ

How does Instacart grocery delivery work?

Customers order from grocery or retail stores in the Instacart app or website, and a shopper picks the items and delivers them. Instacart was founded in 2012 and became known for same-day grocery delivery.

Why are some Instacart prices higher than in the store?

Retailers can set different prices on Instacart than they charge in-store, and orders can also include delivery fees, service fees, and tips. That is why a Costco, Kroger, or local-market basket may cost more through Instacart than at the physical checkout.

What does Instacart+ change for frequent grocery orders?

Instacart+ is the paid membership that reduces delivery costs on eligible orders and adds member benefits. It is most useful for households placing repeat grocery orders rather than one emergency delivery.

Can Instacart shoppers replace missing items?

Yes. Customers can preselect replacements or approve substitutions in the app while the shopper is in the store, which matters for produce, meat, baby products, and out-of-stock pantry items.

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