Albertsons Plans for Delivery at 1,800 Stores

The Albertsons Cos. has signed a deal with San Francisco-based Instacart to bring same-day grocery delivery to 1,800-plus stores, with service in as little as an hour.

Set to be completed by mid-2018, the initiative will allow customers to choose from various banners’ stores for fast delivery. Although the Boise, Idaho-based grocer did not have a specific list of stores and banners at time of press, it did tell Progressive Grocer that it is exploring the option of offering its recently acquired meal-kit brand Plated through the service.

The news follows other ecommerce-related initiatives such as rolling out its Drive-Up & Go click-and-collect program and buying Plated, all said to help “reinvent the way consumers discover, purchase, receive and experience food.”

"Instacart's extensive delivery network combined with Albertsons Companies existing home delivery services and established, robust e-commerce offering creates a fantastic customer proposition," said Shane Sampson, Albertsons Cos. chief marketing and merchandising officer. "Customers can shop how, when and where they choose, with the convenient option of quick delivery straight to their doorsteps."

Albertsons Cos. current home delivery network and digital programs will continue to serve its growing customer base in existing markets.

Albertsons Cos. operates stores across 35 states and Washington, D.C., under 20 banners, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs.