Well I could see Instacart helping (and potentially being acquired by) certain chains who simply don't want to be involved with online ordering and fulfillment. I suppose there's also the added benefit that they can choose from multiple retailers in case certain retailers carry products you can't find at others.
But on the topic of delivery/fulfilment, look at some of our grocers in Canada (Metro, Loblaws, Walmart) who are worth billions of dollars, yet whose only foray into online ordering is for pickup. Wow! Innovation!
A Loblaws near me was applauding itself for setting up the ability for buyers to order products online and pick it up in store, while people in the UK and parts of the US have been able to order groceries online and get it delivered for years. In 2013, Amazon Fresh expanded to SF. Full ordering and fulfilment. While in 2014, Loblaws launched the concept of click and collect, but has not expanded their offering to include delivery.
It's baffling to me that neither Loblaws nor Metro have at least tested online ordering and shipping in downtown Toronto like the way Amazon Fresh expanded into major American cities.
But on the topic of delivery/fulfilment, look at some of our grocers in Canada (Metro, Loblaws, Walmart) who are worth billions of dollars, yet whose only foray into online ordering is for pickup. Wow! Innovation!
A Loblaws near me was applauding itself for setting up the ability for buyers to order products online and pick it up in store, while people in the UK and parts of the US have been able to order groceries online and get it delivered for years. In 2013, Amazon Fresh expanded to SF. Full ordering and fulfilment. While in 2014, Loblaws launched the concept of click and collect, but has not expanded their offering to include delivery.
It's baffling to me that neither Loblaws nor Metro have at least tested online ordering and shipping in downtown Toronto like the way Amazon Fresh expanded into major American cities.