Report shows Instacart’s role as grocery industry growth engine
Report shows Instacart’s role as grocery industry growth engine
An Economic Impact Report released by Instacart features new internal and third-party data revealing how its platform powers growth, earnings and food access across the grocery economy in the U.S. and Canada. What began more than a decade ago as a same-day grocery delivery app has grown into a vital ecosystem that fuels economic opportunity, strengthens communities and makes fresh, affordable food more accessible for millions.
Instacart has helped U.S. grocers generate more than $22.5 billion in additional revenue and create over 237,000 new grocery jobs since 2012, according to new analysis by Robert Kulick of NERA Economic Consulting included in the report. Nearly one in three of those jobs have been at small, independent grocers — more than double the industry average — helping local businesses compete and thrive in an increasingly omnichannel industry. Through its partnerships with more than 1,800 national, regional, and local retail banners, Instacart now supports delivery and pickup from nearly 100,000 stores across North America.
“Our analysis shows that Instacart has had a significant and measurable impact on grocery retailers across the United States,” said Kulick. “By helping grocers expand their reach and meet growing consumer demand for omnichannel offerings, Instacart has supported the creation of more than 237,000 grocery jobs and driven over $22 billion in additional revenue for brick-and-mortar retailers. This impact not only benefits individual stores and their employees, but also contributes to broader economic growth in local communities nationwide.”
Customers, too, are feeling the positive impact — especially on their wallets. More than 25 million people across the U.S. and Canada rely on Instacart each year, placing more than 1.5 billion orders and saving more than 1 billion hours since 2012. Between January 2023 and June 2025 alone, customers saved more than $3 billion through deals, discounts, and loyalty programs — an average of more than $5 per marketplace order. Instacart’s reach now extends to 98 percent of U.S. households, including nearly every home enrolled in SNAP and 95 percent of households in low-income, low-access areas, helping to close the gap in food accessibility nationwide.
Shoppers — the independent contractors who fulfill customer orders — are another critical pillar of this ecosystem. Instacart shoppers across North America have collectively earned more than $24 billion through the platform, turning grocery shopping into a source of flexible income that adapts to their lives. For many of the approximately 600,000 shoppers on the platform, this flexibility enables them to balance caregiving responsibilities, pursuing their education, or retirement, while still earning on their own schedule.
Beyond the numbers, Instacart’s impact is also deeply community-driven. Through Community Carts and partnerships with more than 300 organizations, the company has helped facilitate the donation of 360,000 grocery items and other essentials to food banks, schools, and disaster relief efforts. Instacart has also donated nearly 14 million meals through a partnership with Feeding America. These initiatives are part of Instacart’s broader mission to strengthen the neighborhoods it serves — ensuring that nutritious food and economic opportunity remain within reach for all.
