Kohl's Adds Same-Day Delivery Via Instacart

Kohl's customers can now get same-day delivery thanks to a partnership between the department store chain and Instacart, the companies reported last week. Customers can now place scheduled or same-day delivery orders for 1,172 Kohl’s locations nationwide. Kohl's rewards can also be earned through Instacart purchases .

“With Kohl’s as one of the first department stores on our platform, we’re proud to continue expanding our selection beyond grocery, making everyday shopping for our customers easier for their busy lives,” said Blake Wallace, senior director, retail partnerships at Instacart. “We’re committed to offering customers a broad selection of items and ways to get exactly what they need from the retailers they know and love.”

Total Retail's Take: This partnership marks a divergence from Instacart's bread and butter of grocery delivery, stepping into the department store arena (and its assorted merchandise assortment). In 2023, Instacart reported that its marketplace platform reaches more than 95 percent of U.S. households, with 7.7 million monthly active users who shop at one of the 1,400 retailer brands on the platform.

The news comes as both Kohl's and Instacart continue to face headwinds. Earlier this year, Instacart laid off 250 employees as part of a restructuring plan. Meanwhile, Kohl's has seen sales drop for eight straight quarters, according to Reuters. While consumers demand convenient shopping experiences, they consistently opt for free delivery over speedy delivery when given the choice between the two. How much of an impact this partnership with Instacart will have on Kohl's business remains to be seen, but the indications are it might not move the needle as much as the department store chain needs it to.