Amazon.com Inc.’s expansion into the grocery industry may be pushing more supermarket chains into the arms of Instacart Inc., a delivery service that helps retailers fill online orders.
Albertsons Cos., the second-largest traditional grocer in the U.S., is the latest to team up with the startup on same-day delivery. Instacart will provide its service at more than 1,800 of the chain’s stores by the middle of next year, Albertsons said on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, Kroger Co., one of Albertsons’ chief rivals, said it was starting a pilot test with Instacart at some of its stores in Southern California. The grocery industry has been roiled by Amazon’s takeover of Whole Foods Market, a deal that’s expected to encourage more shoppers to order food online. For traditional supermarkets, third-party services such as Instacart and Shipt are seen as a way to protect their business.
Albertsons Cos., the second-largest traditional grocer in the U.S., is the latest to team up with the startup on same-day delivery. Instacart will provide its service at more than 1,800 of the chain’s stores by the middle of next year, Albertsons said on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, Kroger Co., one of Albertsons’ chief rivals, said it was starting a pilot test with Instacart at some of its stores in Southern California. The grocery industry has been roiled by Amazon’s takeover of Whole Foods Market, a deal that’s expected to encourage more shoppers to order food online. For traditional supermarkets, third-party services such as Instacart and Shipt are seen as a way to protect their business.