Instacart Speeds up Delivery of Large Items

Instacart has launched a new fulfillment capability that enables same-day and scheduled delivery nationwide for large items, helping retailers offer more of their catalogs online to consumers.

Big Lots, Container Store, Mastermind Toys, Office Depot, Spirit Halloween and Staples are some of the first retailers to leverage the on-demand delivery platform’s “Big & Bulky” fulfillment solution that offers same-day delivery of larger items such as outdoor furniture, home office supplies and electronics via the Instacart mobile app and select retailers' Instacart storefronts.

Big & Bulky gives shoppers the ability to order their grocery and household items (e.g., grilling items, beverages, printer ink or packing tape) directly alongside large item orders for delivery in a single order. Instacart created the fulfillment offering to simplify bulk ordering for occasions such as tailgating for big sport games, building a home office or planning a residential move, according to a news release.

Big & Bulky is powered by Carrot Delivery, an Instacart Platform enterprise solution that provides end-to-end fulfillment for retailers. 

Recently, Instacart integrated FoodStorm's order management system (OMS) with the Instacart app, extending Carrot Order Ahead. The integration made it possible for customers to order grocery items — such as beverages, paperware or side dishes — directly alongside their catering order for delivery all at once.

For Big & Bulky orders, Instacart couriers who drive large vehicles can opt in to shop batches with large items, unlocking new earnings opportunities and giving them the ability to fulfill even more batches. It is the latest example of Instacart has made in an effort to maximize couriers' earnings potential, an initiative that furthers the company's "ingredients to earn on your terms" commitment that was announced earlier this year.

The company's courier community responded positively to the new offering. In pilot regions from May 2022 through July, 97% of couriers with eligible vehicles opted in to shop bulky batches, according to the release.

"By introducing Big & Bulky, consumers can now access an even wider selection of items for same-day delivery. With football season just around the corner, Instacart's Big & Bulky solution can provide customers with items like portable grills and tents for a tailgate or a 55-inch TV in case they're watching from home — all in as fast as an hour," said Daniel Danker, chief product officer at Instacart, in a news release. "As a retail enablement partner, our goal is to support retailers' bottom lines by expanding their online catalogs through our enterprise solutions.”