Grocery store shopping could become a thing of the past as more San Diegans are choosing to fill their virtual wagons with on-demand delivery services such as Instacart. The San Francisco based e-commerce company recently announced that it has doubled its local coverage area to include 11 new zip codes since launching in the region this past July. Instacart’s new delivery areas include the following zip codes: 92037, 92092, 92093, 92106, 92109, 92111, 92117, 92120, 92122, 92123 and 92124. With just a few mouse clicks, online customers in the Clairemont, La Jolla, Mission Bay, Pacific Beach, Point Loma and Torrey Pines areas can now stock up on food and beverages from a number of specialty grocers in as little as one hour. “People value their time as well as the gas to get to the store and back,” said David Holyoak, operations manager for Instacart. “If they want to get time back, and have an expert do grocery shopping for them, I would encourage them to use the service.” He said that for only $5.99 per delivery, or $149 per year for unlimited deliveries over $35, customers can order from an assortment of retailers such as Costco (no membership required), Costco Business Center (a first of its kind from any delivery service), Jimbo’s Naturally, Ralph’s, Smart & Final and Whole Foods Market. “I love the convenience and that I can save a few hours of my time and reduce stress,” said Michelle Nyguen, a user of the service since September, who normally makes about two to three trips to the grocery every week. “My husband and I work all day and have young children, so not having to make a bunch of trips to the store is major for us.” According to Holyoak, from their iPhone or Android, users can download Instacart’s app, select a city and store, see what’s available at the retailers location, add items to a virtual cart, check out and then choose when they want the items delivered between one hour and seven days. Holyoak said that bargain hunters can find coupons and discounted products on Instacart’s website. He added that patrons get the assurance that the everyday price is the same as would be paid in the store. Founded in May 2012 by former Amazon engineer Apoorva Mehta, Instacart joins a number of other alternative grocery shopping services working in the San Diego region. Among them include Albertsons, Amazon Prime, Postmates, and Vons. “Our biggest competitor is just folks going to the store on their own,” Holyoak said. “We want people to get time back in their days and do what they love to do instead of needlessly driving back and forth to the grocery store, searching through isles and waiting in lines.” More information on Instacart can be found at www.instacart.com.
