Kroger and Instacart Bundle Groceries and Prescriptions in One Delivery

Kroger and Instacart, through their websites and apps, now allow customers to order groceries and eligible prescriptions for a single delivery, according to a press release on Aug. 24. The service is facilitated by grocery technology company Instacart. Eligible prescriptions are handled and verified by Kroger pharmacy teams, securely packed, and delivered from the local store to the customer's doorstep by an Instacart shopper.

Customers can select to have the delivery brought directly to them or left at their front door. Instacart Plus members enjoy extra benefits such as exclusive discounts, double points, streaming options, and free delivery on eligible orders. Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health, stated that this new service marries the convenience of grocery delivery with the personalized care from Kroger's pharmacy teams.

Ryan Hamburger, chief commercial officer at Instacart, added that this collaboration enhances everyday life while maintaining the trusted pharmacy experience customers expect. This new offering expands upon an existing partnership between the companies, as Instacart powers Kroger's Express Delivery, delivering groceries in 30 minutes or less.

Furthermore, Kroger participates in Instacart's AI-powered shopping carts, known as Caper Carts. According to a PYMNTS Intelligence report, "buy online for delivery" ranks as a top innovation priority for merchants over the next three years. Thirty-six percent of merchants plan to implement this feature, the report stated. In March 2024, PYMNTS reported that integrating digital solutions to streamline medication access and delivery marked a significant advancement in healthcare's transformation.

Amazon recently announced expanding its same-day prescription delivery service and Walmart recently added refrigerated and reconstituted prescriptions to its Same-Day Pharmacy Delivery, which now comprises 90% of the prescriptions it can deliver.