Quick overview:

  • Instacart announced Tuesday that it will acquire retail technology platform Instaleap for an undisclosed amount.
  • The deal will provide Instacart with a grocery-specific fulfillment solutions platform and expand its established retailer relationships outside the U.S., including major grocers such as Cencosud in Latin America and Continente in Portugal.
  • Instacart said the acquisition is part of its efforts to advance its international business footprint.

In-depth analysis:

Instacart's acquisition of Instaleap comes as it sees growing demand outside the U.S. for its enterprise-grade products, including e-commerce, in-store, advertising, and data technology.

"We have seen growing global demand for our online and in-store technology, including Storefront Pro and Caper Carts, with early traction in Europe and Australia," said Ryan Hamburger, Instacart's Chief Business Officer, in a statement. "By integrating Instaleap's technology, international expertise, and deep retail relationships, we can accelerate our international expansion and better serve retailers and consumers worldwide."

Instaleap has partnerships with nearly 100 grocery retailers outside North America, including customers in Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Instaleap has powered over 100 million transactions and operates in nearly 30 countries, providing Instacart with local market expertise.

Instaleap's technology includes features such as marketplace integration and order aggregation, which Instacart says address core needs of international retailers and complement its broader enterprise product suite. Instacart noted that international retailers working with Instaleap may want to use Instacart's e-commerce, smart cart, and foodservice solutions.

Instacart said it will initially operate Instaleap as a wholly owned subsidiary to ensure business continuity for Instaleap's retailers.

Instacart made its first major push beyond North America a few years ago, testing smart carts with Aldi South Group in Austria in 2024 and deploying its smart carts at Coles supermarket locations in Australia early last year.

In a February 12 shareholder letter, Instacart noted that it has expanded its international footprint by promoting "proven products" to existing retail partners, including e-commerce, smart carts, and foodservice platforms. The company highlighted its expanded partnership with Costco in France and Spain announced earlier this year, marking the first deployment of its Storefront Pro outside North America.