Instacart invites itself to the party with new group-ordering delivery app
Business Instacart invites itself to the party with new group-ordering delivery app
Dive Brief:
Instacart announced Tuesday the launch of Fizz, a separate app for delivery orders of snacks and drinks. Event platform Partiful has integrated Fizz into its virtual invites for hosts and guests, according to the press release.
With Fizz, customers ages 21 and older can access a $5 flat rate delivery fee, group ordering and automatic payment splitting, allowing people to place a consolidated order for one address.
The launch gives Instacart a stronger foothold in the party-planning space as the grocery technology company continues to expand its reach in e-commerce.
Dive Insight:
From smart fridges to New York Times Cooking, Instacart has worked to expand its grocery e-commerce presence beyond its app and the websites it powers for retailers. Fizz is Instacart's latest venture to meet consumers where they're already at.
The standalone app not only indicates the grocery technology company sees considerable opportunity in the party planning space but also that the needs of party goers and hosts call for a tailored e-commerce experience.
Instacart said the app aims to allow a group of people - not just the host - to prep for an upcoming event. The app also comes with perks and discounts. Every new user gets $5 in Snack Bucks, and when people buy drinks, they earn Snack Bucks to use for discounts on the price of snacks. Instacart said Fizz does not require a membership to use.
While Fizz is a separate app, the inventory connects to the retailers already partnered with Instacart.
After someone starts a "party cart" on Fizz's app or website, they can share the link in a group chat so that others can add items and view what's in the cart. On Partiful, the app allows hosts to toggle on the group ordering feature and automatically link to a Fizz cart for the event page. Each person who orders alcohol must be 21 or older and enter their birthday in the app.
The host, who is charged the flat $5 delivery fee, decides when to place the order and whether to have a scheduled or on-demand delivery. When the order is placed, people get charged for only the items they added, according to the announcement. Each participant in the group cart must hit a $10 order minimum per person, Instacart said in an email.
The tailored focus of Fizz allows key categories like beer, seltzer, chips, dip and party supplies to be front and center, Instacart noted in the announcement, adding that the selection and retailers showcased are based on the delivery address for the order. The party supplies category includes items like games, decor, gift supplies and table-setting items. Instacart said in an email that it might explore adding more categories to Fizz based on user demands.
This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter.
Copyright 2025 Industry Dive. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lawmaker queries retailers in probe of link between tariffs and grocery prices
This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter. Sen. Maggie Hassan has asked Albertsons, Kroger, Walmart, Costco and Dollar General for information about how increased tariffs the Trump administration has imposed on imported steel and aluminum could affect stores, suppliers and costs in the grocery supply chain. In June 18 letters to the chief executives of the retailers, the New Hampshire senator requested details including how they expect tariffs on the metals — which doubled to 50% on June 4 — to impact the cost of private label products, particularly canned foods and frozen meals. Hassan, the ranking member of Congress' Joint Economic Committee, indicated that Democrats on the Republican-controlled panel are especially interested in how increases in metal prices could impact canned good costs. She asked the retailers for details about their costs, revenue and profit margins for their best-selling canned food and aluminum foil products over the past five quarters. In addition, Hassan requested information about how customers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits shop for canned goods, including a breakdown of their purchases in terms of brand name and private label products. Hassan also said she wants an estimate of the number of jobs the retailers support in industries such as construction, food packaging and food processing. 'High grocery prices are a top economic concern for Americans, and experts state that tariffs could significantly increase the cost of canned foods,' Hassan wrote. 'Experts have also noted potential impacts from tariffs on the costs of shelving, equipment, transportation, and other inputs that grocery stores and their suppliers need to operate, which, in turn, could also lead to higher food prices for customers.' In the letters, Hassan cited data from the Consumer Brands Association indicating that the 50% levy on imported steel could push prices for canned foods up by between 9% and 15%. She also pointed to statistics showing that the U.S. imports almost 70% of the steel used for canned fruits and vegetables. Hassan gave the retailers until July 9 to supply the information she requested. Grocery prices rose at an annual rate of 2.2% in May, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported June 11. By comparison, food-at-home inflation came in at 2% in April and 2.4% in March. Recommended Reading Trump tariffs could hike canned food prices up to 15%, trade group says Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Axios
a day ago
- Axios
Costco changing hours for executive members on June 30
Costco is rolling out earlier shopping hours for executive members at U.S. warehouses — a subtle but significant shift nearly a year after raising membership fees for the first time since 2017. Why it matters: The perk is a way to add value to the membership club's top tier and potentially increase the ranks of executive members who make up a higher percentage of sales. Executive members make up more than 47% of Costco's paid memberships but represent 73.1% of sales globally, Costco CFO Gary Millerchip said on a May 29 earnings call. The big picture: The move mirrors a tactic from rival Sam's Club, which has long offered exclusive hours and extra perks to its premium-tier members. Costco previously had early hours for executive members and during the pandemic opened early some days for seniors and members with disabilities. When do Costco executive member hours start? Zoom in: Costco said in an email to members that the new executive member benefits are effective Monday, June 30. Warehouses will open at 9am daily exclusively for executive members. Another new benefit is a $10 monthly credit on same-day or Costco via Instacart orders of $150 or more. New Costco early executive shopping hours The following are Costco's new early shopping hours: Monday to Friday: 9am to 10am Saturday: 9am to 9:30am Sunday: 9am to 10am Yes, but: Locations that had been open at 9am for all members will also make a change. "Our U.S. locations that currently open at 9 am, will transition June 30th to limiting access to Executive Members only during the times outlined," Costco said in a comment on its Instagram post. Clubs will open at 10am weekdays and Sundays for all members and 9:30am on Saturdays. Costco's business centers and gas stations are not affected with the changes. Costco Saturday hours extended for all members What's next: Costco said that "U.S. warehouses will stay open one extra hour on Saturdays, closing at 7 pm for all members." Costco membership cost, executive member benefits Flashback: Costco increased membership fees for both Gold Star and Executive tiers by $5 and $10 respectively, effective Sept. 1, 2024. Gold Star and business membership fees are $65, up from $60. Executive membership fees are double the basic membership's price but members earn a 2% reward on eligible purchases. The $130 annual fee is up from $120. The special hours come after the wholesale club's membership card sharing crackdown went national with scanners at club entrances. The scanners can identify which membership level a member has.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Associated Press
Industry Leaders and Cutting-Edge Health and Wellness Education Take Center Stage at Newtopia Now 2025
Influential retailers signed on to attend include Albertsons, Home Goods, Instacart, Kroger, Vitamin Shoppe, Walmart, 7-Eleven and many more. DENVER, CO / ACCESS Newswire / June 17, 2025 / Newtopia Now, the event destination connecting buyers and investors with innovative brands in the conscious consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, announces an exceptional lineup of keynotes, comprehensive educational sessions and valuable networking opportunities for its second edition, taking place Aug. 20-22, 2025, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. The three-day event will bring together industry leaders, innovators and conscious consumers in the sustainable CPG space, continuing to build on the success of its inaugural gathering. Nearly 45% of signed-on brands are first-time exhibitors at any trade show, underscoring the vital platform Newtopia Now provides for emerging brands looking to break into retailer markets and gain crucial industry visibility. Brands on the show floor will appear in three distinct mission-driven neighborhoods designed to facilitate product discovery: Thrive, highlighting the latest innovations that shape the future of human health; Glow, showcasing natural beauty and holistic wellness solutions; and Regenerate, spotlighting the products and business models making a positive environmental impact. The event will feature groundbreaking keynote presentations from industry pioneers. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon will deliver an opening expo keynote on Aug. 21 challenging conventional health wisdom with her 'Muscle-Centric Medicine®" approach. The presentation will inspire attendees to think beyond traditional lifespan metrics, offering compelling insights into how the CPG industry can leverage research around protein and self-care to support consumers on their health journeys. With protein being one of the CPG industry's most notable trends, this keynote empowers industry leaders to make it more than a fad. Michael Costello, CEO of retail giant GNC, will present a strategic keynote on Aug. 22 providing emerging brands with crucial insights on succeeding in today's dynamic market landscape. Costello's presentation will deliver actionable guidance on building sustainable retail relationships and leveraging scientific evidence and consumer demand to drive strategic decision-making. 'Newtopia Now is returning more impactful and interactive than ever while maintaining the accessible, discovery-focused experience that attendees crave,' says Danica Cullins, Executive Vice President of Health and Nutrition, Informa Markets North America. 'This event represents our commitment to fostering meaningful connections that drive the conscious CPG industry forward.' Newtopia Now will commence the week on Aug. 20 with a series of immersive community experiences designed to foster networking and engagement at unique offsite locations. The Women in CPG Luncheon returns for its second year at Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, celebrating female leaders and entrepreneurs shaping the future of CPG. Mental health advocate Jenn DeWall will anchor the luncheon with an inspiring keynote on embracing vulnerability and building strong support networks. Additional offsite experiences include a guided tour with expert herbalists at the Denver Botanic Gardens to learn about the medicinal, nutritional and cultural significance of key plant species in collaboration with the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), as well as a community give-back experience, in partnership with We Don't Waste, assembling grocery bags filled with non-perishable food and essential household items for families in need. The Conscious Beauty and Wellness Pitch Event Presented by Giannuzzi Lewendon will showcase innovative up-and-coming brands presenting to a panel of industry leaders, investors, retailers and CPG executives, creating opportunities for growth investment and strategic partnerships. As consumer demand for transparent, sustainable and health-focused products continues to accelerate, Newtopia Now provides the essential platform for retail and CPG leaders to access visionary keynote speakers, targeted educational sessions and a carefully curated expo floor of health and nutrition brands to drive positive change in the marketplace. Visit to view the full event agenda. To learn more about Newtopia Now and register to attend, visit About Newtopia Now Newtopia Now is the destination for product innovation, offering untethered experiences that connect CPG brands with buyers, investors and experts to drive growth in the natural and organic market, organized by New Hope Network, a division of Informa Markets. This innovative B2B trade show reimagines the traditional exhibition experience by focusing on connection, community and purpose-driven business. The event brings together brands, retail buyers and industry professionals to co-create the next era of purpose-led CPG and retail through deeper levels of engagement, with curated meeting opportunities, interactive content and networking sessions alongside the latest innovations in natural and organic products. To learn more, visit About Informa Markets Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. With a global reach and diverse portfolio of verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure, Informa Markets connects buyers and sellers worldwide through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. For more information, visit Media Contact New Hope Network Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE: New Hope Network press release
