Hy-Vee integrates Instacart's fulfillment capabilities for same-day delivery

Hy-Vee Inc. is integrating Instacart's fulfillment capabilities for same-day delivery into its owned and operated websites and apps.

"We're proud to strengthen our partnership with Hy-Vee and equip them with the technology and tools they need to meet customers' needs," Ryan Hamburger, vice president of retail partnerships at Instacart, said in a news release. "Our goal is to empower our partners and offer seamless and personalized shopping experiences. We've spent more than a decade focusing on the care and craft of grocery and are continuing to push the envelope by creating even more fulfillment solutions that help our retail partners grow and meet the evolving needs of their customers and businesses." 

Instacart says its fulfillment-as-a-service offering helps retailers to plug Instacart fulfillment technology into their existing e-commerce via API, seamlessly integrating with their storefronts and brand identity. Retailers can choose from flexible options, including full-service order fulfillment, where Instacart's network of nearly 600,000 shoppers assist with picking, packing and delivery, according to the release. Alternatively, retailers can opt for pickup or delivery-only services.

Hy-Vee and Instacart first partnered in 2018 when they introduced same-day delivery to Hy-Vee customers for the first time through the Instacart App. Instacart's technology also allows Hy-Vee to accept EBT SNAP as a payment method online via the Instacart App, the release said.

Technology partner Upshop facilitated the integration of fulfillment-as-a-service into Hy-Vee's e-commerce operations, the release said, adding that Upshop brought new functionality by providing Hy-Vee with the flexibility to use Instacart for same-day fulfillment to ensure the retailer meets escalating demand.