Instacart is introducing three new services specifically aimed at its more than 600,000 part-time and independently contracted shoppers.
The online delivery platform will start providing live phone support, enabling shoppers (who fulfill online customer orders at partner brick-and-mortar stores) to call and speak with a care representative directly through the Instacart shopper app. According to Instacart, this will deliver one of the most-requested features based on shopper feedback and research.
In addition, the company is launching a safety toolkit, designed to provide shoppers with immediate access to safety functionality including in-app emergency calling, incident reporting, and safety alerts, from one tap in the Shopper app.
Instacart is also unveiling a new in-app navigation feature, which will provide shoppers with an interactive map of the grocery store. The map will include precise item locations and a more intuitive shopping list, with the goal of helping shoppers navigate the store and find items more efficiently. This feature is currently being piloted in more than 80 grocery store locations across North America, with more being added over time.
Other shopper features Instacart has introduced in the past couple of years include “tap and pay” capability directly from the Instacart app. The company also offered free personal protective equipment, as well as bonuses and vaccine stipends, during the earlier phases of the Covid-19 pandemic.
