Mercari, Uber expand local delivery program

Dive Brief:

As more retailers offer contactless delivery services, Mercari, a resale marketplace, has partnered with Uber to grow its no-meetup delivery service called Mercari Local across the country.
Through Uber's fulfillment logistics, Mercari Local (previously known as Mercari Now) offers sellers and buyers a way to exchange products without leaving their homes, the company announced on Tuesday. The launch follows a rollout in major cities including San Francisco, New York and Houston.
By matching with delivery people within the vicinity, Uber's technology allows on-demand delivery to occur within hours after purchase, per the press release. Sellers aren't required to package any products for "added convenience."

Dive Insight:

Mercari has eyed growth in the U.S. since it became available here in 2014, carving out market share among competitors like Poshmark, eBay and OfferUp. The app has now been downloaded in the U.S. more than 50 million times and has roughly 350,000 new listings added daily, according to the company.

"When you think about the traditional American garage sale, it's as much about connecting with your neighbors as it is about decluttering and cleaning out your space," John Lagerling, Mercari U.S. CEO, said in a statement. "Our exciting new partnership with Uber now offers an even easier way to buy and sell almost anything, making resale even more accessible for people across the U.S."

Uber's partnership with Mercari expands on Uber Direct's capabilities. The company announced the launch of Uber Direct in April 2020 along with Uber Connect, a service that allows users in select cities send care packages to loved ones. Besides Mercari, Uber has also partnered with other companies, including GoPuff and Costco.

But while Uber adds retailers and platforms to its clientele, DoorDash and Instacart are doing the same to deliver everything from groceries and electronics to pet supplies and prescriptions. DoorDash has added Sam's Club, PetSmart and 7-Eleven to its platform and Instacart delivers from Michaels, Family Dollar, Best Buy and Bed Bath & Beyond. Even Walgreens has partnered with both Instacart and DoorDash for deliveries.

"By combining Uber's network with Mercari's local marketplace, we're bringing on-the-go-shopping directly to people's doorsteps," Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, said in a statement. "With options for easy pick-up and delivery of items, we're creating the modern, convenient shopping experience that consumers increasingly crave."