Those vegetables and potatoes you order via Instacart has a palpable economic benefit.
A study by Dr. Robert Kulick of NERA Economic Consulting finds that grocers have created 1,900 new jobs and $56 million in incremental revenue since the grocery delivery and pickup service entered the market in Washington state. Jobs include stocking associates, cashiers and deli counter clerks. The study finds that grocers add employees to keep pace with increased business sparked by Instacart orders.
The report, which analyzed Instacart’s economic impact in Washington, California, New York and Illinois, found that the company’s entry into a market leads to a 4% increase in retail grocery employment. Instacart created 23,000 jobs and $620 million in incremental revenue in the four states last year.
Instacart, which was founded in San Francisco in 2012, partners with more than 350 grocers to offer delivery from more than 25,000 stores in 5,500 cities across the United States. Instacart delivery is available to more than 85% of U.S. households and more than 70% of households in Canada.