Whole Foods to Enter New Markets with Instacart

Whole Foods Market and Instacart are extending their partnership by launching in several new markets in the coming year.

The expansion builds on the 17 existing metros where consumers can currently use the delivery service to order from Whole Foods stores.

The first two markets coming this year are Orange County, Calif., and Baltimore, Md. The organizations are also exploring new e-commerce and delivery solutions that will be piloted later this year.

In addition to serving new cities, the companies will grow the number of Whole Foods stores with embedded Instacart shoppers by up to 50 percent nationwide by the end of 2016.

“We’ve seen how much our customers love this fast and convenient way to receive Whole Foods Market groceries right to their door, so we are excited to extend our relationship with Instacart,” said Walter Robb, co-CEO of the operator of 436 stores in the U.S. “Working together, we will continue to find even more ways to create outstanding shopping experiences – whether they’re happening in the digital space or within the four walls of our stores.”

The expanded partnership means Instacart will be Whole Foods’ largest partner for online ordering and delivery. 

“Our extended partnership with Whole Foods Market is a testament to how brick- and-mortar retailers can successfully adapt to the growing demand for e-commerce and on-demand delivery services,” said Apoorva Mehta, CEO of Instacart.