Best Buy taps Instacart for same-day deliveries

Dive Brief:

Best Buy has enlisted Instacart to facilitate same-day delivery from almost all of its locations in the U.S., according to details shared with Retail Dive.
Customers can now purchase products through the Instacart mobile app from local Best Buy locations and select the time frame for their delivery, according to a company press release emailed to Retail Dive.
As part of its partnership with Best Buy, Instacart has introduced a certified delivery feature, which lets customers purchase a wider range of items that weren't previously available for same-day delivery and provides shoppers confirmation for high-value purchases, the company said.

Dive Insight:

As more consumers settle into remote work, Instacart wanted to provide them with more options via its same-day delivery service, according to Chris Rogers, vice president of retail at Instacart. Best Buy is part of a growing group of retailers that have partnered with Instacart, including Rite Aid, Bed Bath & Beyond, Staples, Walmart and Sephora. But unlike these other partnerships, the platform is confirming the deliveries of high-end items.

The company said that grocery deliveries remain its focus, but the pandemic has pushed consumers to seek a wider range of products on its platform. The company also said it has seen an increase in demand for electronics and technology goods and is always considering strategic partnerships to help it meet customers' needs.

As Instacart has grown its roster of retailers, the company has also undergone substantial changes recently. In May, the platform introduced a series of safety features to protect workers. Last month, the company landed $200 million in funding and is reportedly in talks to undergo an initial public offering. The capital will be used to meet the substantial growth in demand spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus pandemic brought more sales for Best Buy. In the first quarter, the retailer's online sales grew 155.4% from the year prior, and its shift to curbside pickup helped stave off coronavirus-related losses. In August, the electronics retailer noted a 242% increase in online domestic comparable sales to $4.85 billion in the second quarter.