#United States #San Francisco #Instacart #job creation #Grocery Industry

Instacart's Role in Driving Grocery Industry Growth

Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, recently published an Economic Impact Report detailing its transformative role within the grocery sector. This report sheds light on how Instacart has catalyzed substantial revenue growth, created numerous jobs, and improved food accessibility across the U.S. and Canada.

Major Economic Contributions

The data from the report emphasizes that Instacart has facilitated more than $22.5 billion in additional revenue for U.S. grocers since 2012. Furthermore, it has created over 237,000 new jobs, with a significant proportion of these opportunities arising in small, independent grocery stores—an impressive feat that is more than double the industry average. This dynamic growth has helped local businesses not only survive but thrive in an increasingly competitive e-commerce environment. Instacart collaborates with over 1,800 retail partners, including national, regional, and local stores, enabling it to support nearly 100,000 stores across North America.

Dr. Robert Kulick from NERA Economic Consulting, who contributed to the report, stated, "Instacart has had a significant and measurable impact on grocery retailers. By expanding their reach, Instacart has supported the creation of more than 237,000 grocery jobs and driven unprecedented revenue growth for brick-and-mortar stores."

Benefits to Customers

Not only do grocery retailers share in this economic boon, but so do customers. Annually, more than 25 million people in the U.S. and Canada utilize Instacart. Collectively, they place over 1.5 billion orders, saving time and enjoying the convenience that comes from using this platform. Between January 2023 and June 2025, customers saved more than $3 billion through various discounts and loyalty programs, which translates to an average savings of $5 per order. Furthermore, Instacart reaches 98% of U.S. households and has become a vital resource for families enrolled in SNAP, as well as those living in low-access areas, effectively closing the food accessibility gap.

Empowering Shoppers

The independent contractors who fulfill orders, known as shoppers, play a critical role in this ecosystem. Together, they have earned more than $24 billion on the platform, leveraging the flexibility of gig work to balance various life responsibilities. Many of the approximately 600,000 shoppers utilize Instacart to support caregiving duties, educational pursuits, or even retirement, thus solidifying the platform’s potential to offer a trustworthy income source that fits their lifestyles.

Supporting Brands

Instacart’s impact on consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands is also notable. With its retail media platform, Instacart supports over 7,500 CPG brands and has been instrumental in boosting average sales by 25% for advertisers. This has enabled many smaller brands, including 680 Black- and women-owned emerging businesses, to reach broader audiences and scale their operations effectively. The introduction of digital ads for fresh produce marks a further innovation in how brands engage with consumers.

Focus on Small Business and Community

The report underscores the importance of Instacart’s contributions to small businesses and local economies. By supporting 68,000 jobs at independent grocers and equipping over 1 million businesses with solutions through Instacart Business, the platform plays a pivotal role in helping shelf-stocking and operational efficiency. Moreover, Instacart empowers smaller brands by enabling 57% of customers to discover new products on its platform, thus fostering a diverse marketplace.

In addition to the economic implications, Instacart emphasizes its commitment to community service through initiatives like Community Carts. Partnerships with over 300 organizations have resulted in the donation of 360,000 grocery items to food banks and schools, alongside nearly 14 million meals provided through collaboration with Feeding America.

Conclusion

Instacart's 2025 Economic Impact Report delivers a comprehensive understanding of its extensive contributions to the grocery economy. The numbers reflect more than just financial success—they illustrate a mission to enhance community well-being by connecting retailers, shoppers, brands, and families, ultimately forging real economic opportunities and making nutritious food accessible to all.

About Instacart

Instacart works with grocery partners to revolutionize the shopping experience, bridging the gap between consumers and retailers while offering substantial benefits for all stakeholders involved. To learn more about Instacart, visit Instacart's official website.