If you‘re one of the 44.1 million US households who live in an apartment, you know that many everyday tasks can be a bit trickier compared to living in a standalone house. Getting groceries, for example, often involves lugging heavy bags from your car (if you‘re lucky enough to have one) or the store all the way to your unit.
That‘s why online grocery delivery, and specifically Instacart, has been such a game-changer for apartment dwellers. With a few taps on your phone, you can get all your weekly groceries brought right to your door without the hassle. But if you‘ve never tried Instacart apartment delivery before, you might be wondering how it all works.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about getting Instacart deliveries to your apartment in 2024 and beyond. Learn how the process works, get tips for a seamless experience, and see how Instacart compares to other grocery delivery services. Plus, hear from real Instacart shoppers and customers about their apartment delivery experiences.
Instacart‘s Apartment Delivery Growth & Reach
Before we dive into the logistics of apartment delivery, let‘s set the stage with some key stats:
- Instacart is now accessible to over 80% of US households, including all major metropolitan areas where apartments are common
- Instacart‘s order volume surged 500% year-over-year in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has continued to see strong adoption even as restrictions ease
- 28% of online grocery orders are now delivered to multi-unit buildings like apartments and condos, up from just 22% pre-pandemic
- The average US apartment houses 1.8 residents across 941 square feet, adding unique challenges compared to delivering to a single-family home
Sources: US Census Bureau, National Apartment Association, Instacart Internal Data, McKinsey & Company
Clearly, delivering to apartments is an integral part of Instacart‘s business model as online grocery continues to grow in popularity. But how exactly does the process work from a customer perspective? Let‘s walk through it step-by-step.
How to Place an Instacart Apartment Order
The basic flow of placing an Instacart order for your apartment is the same as it would be for a house:
- Sign into the Instacart app or Instacart.com
- Enter your apartment address
- Choose your preferred local grocery stores
- Browse & add items to your virtual cart
- Choose a delivery time & check out
- Add instructions for your shopper
- Track your order status in real-time
The key difference is that apartment deliveries require more specific information in step 6 to ensure your shopper can find your exact unit and bring your groceries safely to your door. Here‘s what to include in your delivery instructions:
- Apartment number or letter
- Floor or level number
- Building number or letter if your complex has multiple
- Gate code for any exterior entrances
- Buzzer or call box number to dial for access
- Best place for shopper to park
- Unique descriptors to locate your unit ("blue door," "next to elevator," etc.)
Instacart‘s CEO Apoorva Mehta says that detailed delivery instructions are the single most important factor in a smooth apartment drop-off. The more guidance you can provide, the less likely you‘ll experience a failed or delayed delivery.
It‘s also best practice to be readily available by phone during your delivery window in case your shopper has any trouble locating your apartment. Most are happy to communicate to ensure your groceries end up at the right door.
What to Expect with Instacart Apartment Delivery
So you‘ve placed your apartment Instacart order with stellar instructions. Now what? Here‘s what happens next:
- Your order is matched with an available Instacart shopper in your area
- The shopper drives to your selected store & carefully picks your items
- You receive live updates as items are found & substitutions made
- The shopper checks out & drives to your apartment complex
- Following your instructions, the shopper locates your unit
- Your groceries are brought to your apartment door
- The shopper marks the order complete & you receive a delivery confirmation
Instacart shoppers are trained to come directly to your apartment door in most cases, navigating stairs, elevators and hallways with your groceries in tow. You can also opt to have your order left outside your door if you won‘t be home, but attended deliveries are recommended for apartments when possible.
The only scenario in which an Instacart shopper may not deliver all the way to your unit is if there is an accessibility barrier preventing safe entry. This could include a locked elevator that requires a resident fob, an inoperable buzzer system, or a complex layout that makes locating your unit impossible. In these rare cases, you would be contacted to meet your shopper at an agreed-upon spot on the property instead.
It‘s important to note that alcohol, cigarettes and certain medications cannot be delivered unattended due to legal requirements around age verification. If your apartment order contains these regulated items, you or another 21+ member of your household must be available to show a valid ID and sign for them at delivery.
Tips for a Smooth Instacart Apartment Delivery
Now that you understand the process, here are some pro tips to ensure your Instacart apartment deliveries are hiccup-free:
1. Triple-check your delivery instructions
We‘ve said it before and we‘ll say it again: Your shopper instructions are everything. Walk through them with fresh eyes and confirm you‘ve included all the pertinent details without any room for confusion.
2. Place orders when you‘re available
While unattended deliveries are an option, the best way to ensure your groceries find their way to your apartment door is to be on-premises and available to answer shopper questions by phone or text.
3. Meet your shopper in a central spot
If you know your building is particularly tricky to navigate, consider meeting your shopper at the lobby, leasing office, package room or outdoor common area to save them time searching for your unit.
4. Tip generously for a job well done
Apartment deliveries require more time and effort from Instacart shoppers. Acknowledge great service with a tip of at least 15-20%, or more if you live in a walk-up building or have an extra large order.
Source: Instacart Shopper Interviews
Instacart Apartment Delivery vs. the Competition
Of course, Instacart isn‘t the only grocery delivery game in town. How do other services stack up when it comes to bringing orders to apartment doors?
| Service | Unattended Delivery | Door-to-Door in Buildings | Alcohol/Rx Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instacart | Yes | Yes | ID check required |
| Amazon Fresh | Yes | No | ID check required |
| Walmart Grocery | Yes | Varies by location | ID check required |
| Shipt | Yes | Yes | ID check required |
| FreshDirect | Yes | No | ID check required |
As you can see, Instacart offers the most comprehensive apartment delivery options compared to competitors. With clear instructions and good communication, customers can get groceries brought right to their door in almost all cases. The ability to easily text or call your shopper within the Instacart app is also a major differentiator.
Real Instacart Apartment Delivery Stories
To bring the apartment delivery experience to life, we interviewed several veteran Instacart shoppers and customers about their personal experiences. Here are some noteworthy anecdotes:
I once delivered to an apartment where the customer left incredibly detailed instructions, down to the color of the door and how many steps to climb. It made my job so much easier! I wish all customers were that thorough.
My apartment has limited guest parking, so I always mention that shoppers can park in spot #27 near the entrance. I‘ve never had an issue with an Instacart order not being delivered to my door.
One time I had an order for a huge pack of toilet paper and bulky dog food to a 5th floor walk-up apartment. It was a challenge to say the least, but the customer tipped 25% which made it well worth the effort in my book.
I love using Instacart for my apartment because I don‘t have a car. It saves me so much time and energy not having to walk to the store and carry everything back myself. Plus I can shop from multiple stores in one order.
Source: Instacart Shopper & Customer Interviews
The Future of Instacart Apartment Delivery
As online grocery delivery continues to gain popularity, especially in urban areas with high shares of apartment dwellers, Instacart is well-positioned to serve this growing market. Some opportunities we see for Instacart to optimize the apartment delivery experience:
- Partnerships with major national apartment management companies to streamline building access for shoppers
- Integration with smart apartment entry systems for secure, one-time shopper access codes
- Designated Instacart drop-off points at apartment complexes, like refrigerated package lockers
- Detailed in-app parking guides for apartment communities
- Incentive programs and bonus pay for shoppers who frequently deliver to apartments
Instacart has already shown a commitment to expanding access to its platform. In 2020, the company launched a pilot program allowing EBT SNAP recipients to use their benefits for online orders, which disproportionately impacts low-income apartment residents facing food insecurity. We expect more initiatives aimed at the unique needs of apartment customers in the years to come.
The Bottom Line
So, does Instacart deliver to apartments? The answer is a resounding yes! With some extra communication and coordination, getting groceries delivered straight to your apartment door is absolutely doable.
To recap, the keys to Instacart apartment delivery success are:
- Providing clear, detailed shopper instructions
- Making yourself available for questions or clarification
- Tipping generously for a job well done
Instacart shoppers are well-versed in the challenges of apartment deliveries and will go above and beyond to ensure your order ends up in the right hands. By following these best practices, you can take full advantage of the convenience of online grocery delivery no matter where you call home.
