Publix teams up with Instacart on grocery delivery

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix is joining Costco, Whole Foods and other retailers in providing grocery delivery service through a partnership with Instacart.

Publix announced Wednesday that it would begin its Instacart service in select areas of Miami beginning July 12. Instacart is an e-commerce and delivery service that allows customers to place their grocery orders online and have their items delivered right to their doorsteps. Customers can place orders by visiting www.instacart.com/publix.

Instacart will receive, fulfill and deliver customers’ orders in the greater Miami area — servicing 37 ZIP codes from Hallandale Beach to South Miami. Customers can enter their ZIP code on the Instacart website to find out if the service is available where they live.

“We know this service is something our customers are interested in, and we’re excited to learn more as we move forward with this pilot,” said Kevin Murphy, Publix Senior Vice President of Retail Operations. “We chose Instacart because we believe the experience they provide aligns well with the needs of our company, associates and customers.”

Publix says it will work to better understand the opportunities this service provides the company’s customers and associates by starting with a pilot and evaluating the results prior to expanding the program.

"At Instacart, we want to connect our users with the highest caliber of retailers, and this collaboration with Publix exemplifies that commitment," said Apoorva Mehta, Founder and CEO of Instacart. "Publix and Instacart share a common mission – to get premier quality food into the hands of as many people as possible. We are excited to bring our seamless online shopping and delivery experience to Publix customers and look forward to a deepening of our relationship."

Items excluded from purchase at Publix through Instacart are alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, prescriptions and age-restricted items. Printed and digital coupons are not redeemable through Instacart at this time. All orders must be at least $10 and delivery fees may apply.

Publix is privately owned and operated by its 182,500 employees, with 2015 sales of $32.4 billion. Currently Publix has 1,118 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. 

Instacart's current retail partners include Target, Kroger, Petco and many others.