Sponsored By

Instacart kicks off pilot with Staples in Canada

Partnership marks online delivery company’s entry into office supplies

Russell Redman

April 5, 2019

2 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

Instacart is going beyond grocery in expanding its retail partner network in Canada.

The San Francisco-based online delivery specialist, which since its 2012 launch has focused on grocery retailers, is now teaming up with Staples Canada in the home and office supply category. The companies said Thursday that they’ve begun piloting same-day delivery to customers at five Staples stores in the greater Toronto area.

Instacart_delivery_bag_closeup_(2).png"Instacart is excited to partner with Staples Canada to test a new delivery category that many of our Canadian customers have been asking for," Andrew Nodes, vice president of retail accounts at Instacart, said in a statement. "Whether stocking their pantry or desk, busy people in homes and businesses across North America are looking for more convenient, time-efficient ways to get the groceries and goods they need from the retailers in their neighborhoods that they love."

Under the test, customers of the participating Staples Canada stores can order office supplies and home products and have them delivered in as soon as one hour via the Instacart mobile app or at Instacart.ca. The delivery fee is $3.99 for orders of $35 or more, and shoppers signing up for an Instacart Express membership for $9.99 per month or paying an annual fee of $99 can get unlimited free delivery on all orders over $35.

Related:Instacart looks north of the border

Outside from the Instacart partnership, Staples Canada offers next-day delivery to 85% of the Canadian market along with two-hour click-and-collect service.

"Our customers, whether they're entrepreneurs, parents, students or teachers, have hectic schedules and we want to make it easier for them to get the tools they need to be successful," stated David Boone, CEO of Richmond Hill, Ontario-based Staples Canada. "This partnership with Instacart enhances our e-commerce experience, providing our customers with the added convenience of same-day delivery on top of our already rich delivery options."

Currently, Instacart’s Canadian retail partners include Loblaw Cos. and Walmart Canada. Loblaw announced its partnership with Instacart last November, and Instacart-powered grocery delivery is now available from more than 250 Loblaw Cos. stores under several retail banners from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. In September, Walmart Canada began pilots of Instacart same-day grocery delivery at 12 stores in the Toronto area and five stores in Winnipeg.

In the United States, Instacart also has extended its delivery services outside the grocery category through such retailers as CVS Pharmacy, Petco and Sur La Table.

Related:Walmart Canada teams up with Instacart

Overall, Instacart partners with more than 300 national, regional and local retailers and serves nearly 20,000 grocery stores across more than 5,500 cities in North America. Its delivery service is accessible to over 80% of U.S. households, covering all 50 states, and to more than 60% of Canadian households.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like