Kroger and Instacart have announced an expansion of their partnership, focusing on the use of artificial intelligence to improve the digital shopping experience for customers. The collaboration aims to enhance efficiency, broaden access to faster delivery services, and introduce new AI-driven features for shoppers.
Instacart will remain Kroger’s primary delivery fulfillment partner across all its digital platforms, including Kroger.com and the Kroger app. This arrangement supports delivery from nearly 2,700 stores under more than 20 different banners nationwide. Both companies also plan to offer new opportunities for consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies to connect with customers through advanced engagement and retail media solutions.
A key development in this expanded relationship is the introduction of Instacart’s AI Assistant, known as Cart Assistant, which will be available on the Kroger iOS mobile app. This tool is designed to help customers find meal ideas, quickly add favorite items to their carts, and simplify meal planning through a personalized experience.
Yael Cosset, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer for Kroger, said: “Agentic shopping has the potential to change the way American families shop and eat. Interacting with an AI agent makes shopping and meal planning as simple as a conversation, helping customers build their basket or offering meal suggestions, truly understanding what matters most to them. This is one more way Kroger and Instacart are making grocery shopping easy and fun for families across the country, saving them money and time.”
The companies report that their ongoing work together has improved order quality by increasing operational efficiency. Orders are being fulfilled faster and more reliably than before due to AI-based capabilities that streamline processes.
Kroger and Instacart are also expanding access to Express Delivery via Kroger.com. Customers can now receive fresh food, last-minute ingredients, or ready-to-heat meals in as little as 30 minutes in more locations. Adoption of this service continues to grow.
Chris Rogers, CEO of Instacart, stated: “For more than a decade, we’ve helped grocers compete with enterprise-grade technology and fulfillment capabilities built specifically for the grocery industry. Kroger is one of our most deeply integrated partners, and they’ve doubled down on Instacart as their primary fulfillment and delivery provider across all Kroger’s digital properties, including Kroger.com, because we enable consistent, fast, and high-quality grocery delivery at scale. We couldn’t be more excited about the next chapter of our partnership, as Instacart powers the new AI capabilities that will shape the future of how Kroger customers shop. Together, we’re making shopping more personalized, intuitive, and efficient for millions of families across the country.”
Since beginning their partnership in 2017, Kroger and Instacart have launched several innovations such as nationwide delivery services, advanced marketing solutions, fuel-points integration between apps, and AI-powered smart carts. These initiatives aim to improve customer experiences while driving traffic to stores.
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