Instacart is introducing a pair of new delivery options in an attempt to deal with the increased demand the grocery shopping service is seeing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fast & Flexible and Order Ahead are both designed to increase the number of available delivery windows, depending on whether customers are willing to be flexible with delivery times or if they want to plan further ahead.
Although Instacart’s orders have increased as a result of the pandemic, it’s also faced criticism from its shoppers over how it’s handled the health risks they’re facing while out on the job. Workers walked out last Monday over their concerns, demanding better sick leave, protective equipment, and a $5-per-order hazard payment. Instacart has since promised to provide face masks and hand sanitizer to its shoppers but has stopped short of providing hazard pay or giving more assurances over sick pay.
