AUSTIN, Texas (Sept. 8, 2014) – Whole Foods Market, a leading natural and organic foods retailer, and Instacart, the pioneering on-demand grocery delivery platform, have announced a groundbreaking collaboration. This partnership is set to revolutionize how customers access Whole Foods Market’s premium products, offering delivery in as fast as one hour. Looking for groceries right now? This alliance also introduces a convenient in-store pickup option at select Whole Foods Market locations, making healthy and high-quality food even more accessible for today’s busy lifestyles.
The initial rollout of the in-store pickup service will commence as a pilot program in Austin and Boston within the coming month. Instacart’s rapid delivery service is already available from Whole Foods Market in 15 major metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Boulder, Colorado, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon, San Francisco, San Jose, California, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. The expansion of the in-store pickup option to all Instacart-serviced cities is anticipated in the near future, promising widespread convenience for Whole Foods Market shoppers.
By joining forces with Instacart, Whole Foods Market is leveraging a seamless delivery infrastructure, eliminating the complexities of managing logistics in-house. This strategic move allows Whole Foods Market to concentrate on its core strengths – providing exceptional quality food and customer service – while Instacart ensures swift and dependable delivery.
Walter Robb, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, emphasized the customer-centric approach of this partnership. “Instacart provides an incredibly user-friendly way for our customers across 15 cities to purchase Whole Foods Market’s offerings and receive them promptly. Whether it’s sourcing fresh ingredients for an impromptu dinner or sending nourishing foods to family members remotely, the ease and speed are unmatched,” Robb stated. “We are excited to enhance the shopping experience for our customers through this added convenience.”
Both Instacart and Whole Foods Market share a vision of transforming the grocery shopping experience to be more efficient and enjoyable. Apoorva Mehta, CEO and founder of Instacart, highlighted the synergy between the two brands. “Whole Foods Market has consistently been the most sought-after shopping destination among Instacart users. We are delighted to collaborate and create a streamlined, rapid solution tailored for the demands of today’s fast-paced customer,” Mehta commented.
Ordering through Instacart is straightforward. Customers can visit Instacart.com or use the Instacart mobile app, input their zip code, select their desired Whole Foods Market items, and add them to their virtual cart. They can then choose a delivery window that suits their schedule – options include one-hour delivery, two-hour delivery, or scheduled delivery. Instacart’s Personal Shoppers then receive order notifications on their smartphones, shop for the items at the nearest Whole Foods Market store, and deliver directly to the customer within the chosen timeframe.
Whole Foods Market distinguishes itself as Instacart’s first national partner to introduce the in-store pickup service. This feature will allow Whole Foods Market customers to place orders via the Instacart platform and opt for in-store pickup instead of home delivery, offering yet another flexible option to acquire groceries on their terms.
To further simplify the shopping process, Instacart enables customers to save frequently purchased items in grocery lists for quick re-ordering. Additionally, Instacart integrates a Whole Foods Market recipe database, allowing users to generate grocery lists automatically from selected recipes, streamlining meal planning and grocery acquisition.
To celebrate this exciting partnership, Whole Foods Market and Instacart launched a special promotion, offering customers a chance to win free groceries for a year. Starting September 12, customers received hidden game pieces in their Instacart delivery bags, with five lucky shoppers winning the grand prize. Detailed information about the giveaway was available at https://wfm.com/instacartgiveaway.
New Instacart users benefit from complimentary delivery on their first order. Following the initial order, delivery fees are competitively priced at $3.99 for two-hour delivery and $5.99 for one-hour delivery. For frequent users, an Instacart Express membership is available for $99 annually, providing free delivery on all orders exceeding $35.
