Aldi opens virtual convenience store
Aldi is partnering with a leading grocery technology company to sell convenience items from a dedicated online storefront.
The fast-growing discount grocer is launching Aldi Express, a virtual convenience store supported by Instacart. The online shop offers nearly 2,000 of the most popular private label convenience items such as prepared foods, snacks and drinks; as well as grocery staples and household essentials.
Instacart will deliver Aldi Express purchases in as fast as 30 minutes, fulfilling from more than 2,100 Aldi locations across the country. ALDI began offering delivery services via Instacart in 2017. Instacart now delivers from more than 2,200 ALDI stores and powers pickup for more than 1,500 ALDI stores nationwide. The companies expanded their partnership in 2018 to include alcohol delivery, and ALDI was one of the first retailers to accept EBT SNAP online through Instacart in November 2020.
[Read more: Instacart launches Amazon-style e-commerce platform]
"We know our customers live hectic lives, and sometimes that means they don't have time to make it to the grocery store - even for a quick trip. Through Aldi Express, we're making shopping more convenient so you can satisfy a craving or get a missing ingredient in minutes," said Scott Patton, VP of national buying at Aldi. "Together with Instacart, we'll continue to find ways to innovate and make the online grocery experience even more effortless and accessible."
"We're proud to deepen our partnership with Aldi through the introduction of Aldi Express. With this launch, we're making it easier for customers nationwide to get their favorite Aldi staples delivered faster than ever before," said Ryan Hamburger, VP of retail at Instacart. "We know how important it is to get what you need when you want it - whether it's a last-minute delivery for a missing dinner ingredient, milk for the baby or simply wanting a late-night snack."
Aldi has history of online delivery and pickup
Aldi is no stranger to offering online delivery and curbside pickup services, beyond its collaborations with Instacart. In March 2023, the company started offering on-demand delivery via DoorDash at nearly all of its store locations across 38 states.
In October 2022, the company began partnering with digital commerce platform Spryker Systems to develop a new online food and grocery shopping experience for the U.S. market, offering grocery delivery or curbside pickup for its U.S. shoppers.
In addition, Aldi began moving its curbside pickup program out of pilot into widespread rollout in spring 2020 pandemic drove a surge in demand for curbside services. On the Aldi U.S. e-commerce site or mobile app, customers can find the nearest store offering curbside service, fill their shopping cart, and select pickup time and location at checkout.