Publix rolls out 15-minute grocery delivery via Instacart

Publix Super Markets has begun rapid grocery delivery in the Miami area using Instacart’s Carrot Warehouses nano-fulfillment solution.

Publix and Instacart said Thursday that, through the new service, the grocer’s customers in the Brickell, Coral Gables and Wynwood, Fla., neighborhoods can order from an assortment of thousands of products and have them delivered in as soon as 15-minutes, including during early morning or late night hours. Available now, the fast grocery delivery service is slated to roll out across those communities over the coming weeks, the companies said.

Under a custom model developed via Carrot Warehouses, part of the Instacart Platform technology suite launched last month, Publix can offer items ranging from fresh produce, dairy and meat to pantry staples, household goods and other products from nano-fulfillment centers for 15-minute delivery. Instacart noted that the solution enables the supermarket chain to provide a wider online selection to customers than “the industry standard” for rapid grocery delivery and ensure nearly 100% in-stock availability.

Publix represents the first grocer to develop new fulfillment models using Instacart's Carrot Warehouses solution, part of the recently introduced Instacart Platform suite.

Publix customers access the 15-minute delivery service through Publix’s mobile app and website or via the Instacart App and website by navigating to Publix Quick Picks.

Related:Instacart looks to drive grocers’ digital transformations

“As we continue to evolve our e-commerce strategy, 15-minute delivery is another example of how we’re committed to meeting our customers wherever they are, whether it’s in-store or online for a convenience need,” Erik Katenkamp, vice president omnichannel and application development at Publix. “Instacart’s suite of solutions allows us to unlock and roll out 15-minute delivery in a major metro area like Miami. Introducing nano-fulfillment centers powered by Instacart Platform is another step in our omnichannel strategy, and we look forward to continuing to exceed our customers’ expectations.”

Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix marks the first grocer to develop new fulfillment models with Instacart using Carrot Warehouses. Through the end-to-end solution, Instacart works with retailers to enable customized, fast delivery service, including building nano-fulfillment centers (NFCs), devising floor plans, setting up automation services and running ongoing operations. When unveiling Instacart Platform in late March, Instacart said Publix plans to leverage Carrot Warehouses to drive 15-minute delivery for customers in Miami and Atlanta over the coming months.

Overall, Publix operates 1,295 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

Related:Publix debuts Instacart-powered virtual convenience store

“With today’s Miami launch, Publix is bringing 15-minute delivery to their customers for the first time,” according to Daniel Danker, vice president of product at San Francisco-based Instacart. “Whether it’s a last-minute dinner ingredient or parents needing a quick restock on diapers, we know Miamians seek convenience in their lives, and we’re excited to collaborate with Publix to power it.”

Publix customers access the 15-minute delivery service Publix’s mobile app and website or through the Instacart app and website by navigating to Publix Quick Picks.

Same-day Instacart delivery made its debut at Publix in July 2016 and then began expanding across the supermarket chain about a year later. Publix also piloted Instacart curbside pickup in September 2017 before deploying it to nearly all stores. In July 2020, Publix and Instacart rolled out a “digital deli counter” with same-day delivery via the Instacart Meals service. Publix also offers alcohol delivery and pickup through Instacart in selected states. The partnership, too, supports SNAP EBT payment integration across all Publix e-commerce properties powered by Instacart. 

In November, Publix officially launched Publix Quick Picks, an Instacart-powered online convenience store, across its seven-state Southeastern market area. The virtual storefront allows customers to shop Publix’s assortment of groceries, fresh foods, pantry items and household essentials, as well as meals and snacks, and have their orders delivered in as soon as 30 minutes. Publix Quick Picks is part of the Instacart Convenience Hub, a convenience shopping experience on the Instacart Marketplace that Instacart unveiled mid-September.

Besides the Carrot Warehouses fulfillment solution, the Instacart Platform suite — branded with Instacart’s updated carrot logo — includes modular components for e-commerce, digital advertising, the in-store experience and data insights.

“Instacart's model is to empower retailers to better serve their customers. We’re taking the same approach by building Carrot Warehouses — a network of nano-fulfillment facilities that we operate on retailers’ behalf — to help retailers deliver unmatched speed and selection to their customers,” Danker commented. “We’re proud to be the platform that helps retailers offer the many use cases their consumers expect, from 15-minute delivery to the weekly shop.”