Instacart, AWG expand partnership
Instacart and Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) have reached an agreement to expand the tech company’s suite to more independent grocers.
The partnership enables more direct access to same-day delivery and AI-powered smart carts to AWG member companies across 3,500 locations in 32 states. With more than 800 AWG member retailer locations currently using Instacart, the extended collaboration allows an additional 2,300 member retailer locations to join Instacart's technology suite.
"Our joint effort with AWG is more than a partnership; it's a dedicated effort to empower independently owned grocers to navigate the digital landscape," said Nick Nickitas, general manager, local independent grocery at Instacart, and founder of Rosie. "Through this collaboration, AWG's retailers now have access to convenient, cost-effective solutions that allow them to easily bring their stores to their customers' doors. We're excited about what we can achieve together.”
In addition to offering same-day delivery, Instacart will also equip AWG retailers with in-store technology solutions like Caper Carts, which use computer vision and AI to automatically identify items as they are placed in the cart. The technology allows customers to bag items as they shop and make payments from anywhere in the store. Customers will also be able to link their loyalty account to the carts, gaining access to personalized promotions and savings as they shop.
"We've witnessed the tremendous value Instacart brings to many of our local independent grocers, making innovation, growth, and deeper customer engagement possible. That's why we're partnering to streamline access to the technology and service our retail partners need to grow via a proven e-commerce offering," said Shelly Moore, chief information officer of AWG. "By partnering with Instacart, we're making it even easier for our member retailers to bring the convenience of e-commerce to life and ultimately drive business growth."
Instacart partners with more than 1,500 national, regional, and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 85,000 stores across North America on the Instacart Marketplace.
AWG is the nation's largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets, serving 1,100 member companies and more than 3,500 locations throughout 32 states from nine wholesale divisions.