Instacart to launch same-day delivery with Staples U.S.

Grocery delivery giant Instacart has partnered with Staples US Retail to bring same-day delivery service to the home and office supply chain’s more than 1,000 U.S. stores.

Framingham, Mass.-based Staples said Friday that customers will be able to place online orders for a range of products, from home office essentials to back-to-school supplies and to cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment for COVID-19 safety. 

Instacart already provides same-day delivery service for Staples Canada, which started with a pilot launched in April 2019.

“We’re proud to grow our partnership with Staples and introduce delivery from nearly all Staples U.S. retail locations via the Instacart marketplace,” Chris Rogers, vice president of retail at Instacart. “More people than ever are relying on Instacart as an essential service to get access to the goods they need. With home now serving as both a workplace and school for so many families across America, we’re proud to work with Staples to make it easier to adapt to this new normal and bring Staples’ wide variety of office supplies directly from the local store to the customer’s door.”

To use Instacart delivery, Staples customers go online to the Instacart marketplace or download the Instacart mobile app to place an order. Customers first enter their ZIP code to select a nearby store, and then they can begin adding items to their virtual cart. Next, an Instacart personal shopper picks and packs the items and delivers the order within the customer’s designated time frame, which can be the same day or scheduled up to two weeks in advance. Staples Rewards members also can enter their membership number when shopping so their purchases are counted toward their loyalty rewards.  

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Staples currently operates 1,082 stores in 45 states.

“As we navigate the next chapter of our new normal together, we have an increased responsibility to provide our customers a safe, clean shopping environment, whether they are coming into our stores, picking up a curbside order or getting that order delivered,” stated Mike Motz, CEO of Staples US Retail. “As small businesses prepare to reopen, and communities plan for the upcoming school year, we’re thrilled to partner with Instacart to enable a new same-day delivery option that is serviced by local community shoppers through their local Staples store.”

The Staples U.S. partnership continues San Francisco-based Instacart’s efforts to expand its delivery and pickup services beyond groceries. The company has expanded its roster of retailer partners outside traditional grocers — most recently, bringing same-day delivery to Big Lots and Rite Aid — and branched into new categories such as alcohol delivery and prescription delivery with Costco Wholesale. A partnership announced last week with C&S Wholesale Grocers also stands to bring Instacart services to thousands of independent supermarkets.

Related:Instacart kicks off pilot with Staples in Canada

Besides Staples, Instacart’s Canadian retail partners include Loblaw Cos. and Walmart Canada. In the United States, Instacart also has extended its delivery services outside the grocery category through such retailers as CVS Pharmacy, Petco and Sur La Table.