Instacart adds new app features to help customers save

Delivery service Instacart is launching several new features in their app designed to aid customers find the private label and branded items they need. The new features include a new tab for deals, reduced and free delivery, a “dollar store hub” and credit back on express pickup orders.

Instacart currently partners with over 700 national, regional and local retailers, with service available to over 85% of U.S. households and 90% of Canadian households. The company’s most recent expansions include one-hour delivery with Dollar Tree and the launch of a ‘virtual convenience store’ with Publix.

"Giving people more access to food — and more time to enjoy it together — has always been core to our mission,” said Asha Sharma, chief operating officer of Instacart. “For most families, when it comes to grocery shopping we know that every dollar matters. Outside of rent and transportation, groceries are one of the largest monthly budget expenditures for most households. Roughly 60% of offline grocery transactions in the U.S. include coupons, and across our own marketplace customers have already saved more than $400 million this year. That's why we're proud to roll out these new features that help customers get exactly what they need, while also saving along the way.”

Details of the new Instacart app features are as follows.

• New Reduced Cost and Free Delivery: Instacart is testing a new delivery option in select markets, which will reduce or waive the delivery fee on orders placed more than 24 hours in advance of the desired delivery date and time.
• Millions in Savings with the deals tab: Instacart is “reimagining the grocery circular for the digital age,” making it easier for people to quickly find the best deals on the new deals tab. The deals tab will offer millions of dollars in savings with daily coupons from retailers and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies. Customers can visit the tab to browse sales in their area and save on weekly staples, bulk products or special occasion items.
• Offering 5% Credit Back on Express Pickup Orders: Instacart is also bringing additional savings to Express members who use the company's contactless curbside Pickup offering. Over the next few months, Express members will get even more savings with 5% credit back on their eligible Pickup orders, usable on future orders placed via Instacart. The company has expanded Pickup to more than 4,500 stores nationwide across 120 grocery partners, including ALDI, Food Lion, Gelson's, Publix, Price Chopper, Schnucks, Shop 'n Save, Sprouts, The Fresh Market, Wegmans and more.
• Introducing the Dollar Store Hub: Finally, Instacart is also introducing a new Dollar Store Hub in the Instacart App. Customers can now browse dollar store deals and discover more savings from roughly 14,000 dollar stores, including the Dollar Tree, which now offers nationwide delivery from more than 6,800 stores, as well as the 99 Cents Only Store, Five Below, and Family Dollar.