Career Development

What Does an Instacart Shopper Do?

Learn more about what it takes to succeed as an instacart shopper, the skills you'll need to become one, and what you can expect on the job.

Instacart is an online grocery delivery service that allows customers to order from local stores and have their groceries delivered directly to their door. The company uses a network of shopper employees to fulfill these orders, which are placed through the Instacart website or mobile app.

Shoppers work independently as contractors for Instacart, meaning they set their own schedules and can choose which shifts to take. They’re responsible for picking items from store shelves and packing them into bags or boxes before delivering them to customers.

Instacart Shopper Job Duties

Instacart shoppers have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

  • Scanning items at a POS station for each order during pick up
  • Communicating with customers about order status, delivery status, or any other pertinent information regarding their order
  • Collecting payment from customers for their orders in cash or through mobile payment apps such as PayPal or Venmo
  • Entering information about items purchased into an electronic inventory system used by the company
  • Picking up items from a store such as a grocery store or drugstore and delivering them to a customer’s home or business
  • Presenting ID to security personnel at the store entrance to pick up deliveries
  • Holding groceries in bags while walking them to customers’ cars
  • Loading groceries into a vehicle’s trunk or cargo area
  • Delivering items to customers within a specified time frame

Instacart Shopper Salary & Outlook

The average salary for an Instacart shopper varies depending on a number of factors, including the shopper’s level of experience, the size of the city they’re working in, and the company they’re working for.

  • Median Annual Salary: $49,500 ($23.8/hour)
  • Top 10% Annual Salary: $75,000 ($36.06/hour)

The employment of grocery store and convenience store workers is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.

Grocery stores will need more workers to fill a variety of jobs, such as e-commerce order pickers, because online ordering will increase the amount of customer traffic in stores. In addition, the continued growth of small, independent grocery stores is expected to create some new jobs for grocery store workers.

Instacart Shopper Job Requirements

To become an Instacart shopper, you must:

Education: Most shoppers are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent. However, some retailers may require an associate’s degree or a related field. Candidates can also pursue a certificate or diploma in retail or e-commerce.

Training & Experience: All new shoppers are required to complete an online training course before they begin working. The training covers topics such as customer service, safety, store layout and how to use the app. Shoppers who have previous experience in customer service or grocery retail may be able to transfer some of their skills to work for Instacart.

Certifications & Licenses: Although specific certifications are not required to work as an Instacart shopper, earning a retail salesperson license will give you an advantage over other candidates since it shows your dedication to the industry.

Instacart Shopper Skills

Instacart shoppers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Customer service: Customer service skills can help you develop the ability to interact with customers in a friendly and helpful manner. Customer service involves active listening, empathy and patience, which can help you provide a positive shopping experience for your customers. You can use customer service skills to answer questions, solve problems and provide solutions to issues.

Time management: Time management skills can help you complete your tasks in a timely manner. As an Instacart shopper, you may be responsible for completing multiple orders at once. Having strong time management skills can help you complete your orders in a timely manner, which can help you earn more money.

Organizational skills: As an Instacart shopper, you may be responsible for stocking an entire grocery order. This means you need to be able to organize the items by type, size and location. Organizational skills can help you keep track of the items you need to pick and the items you’ve already picked.

Attention to detail: Attention to detail is a necessary skill for any shopper, as it ensures you’re selecting the correct products for customers. This skill also ensures you’re entering the correct information for each product, which is important for the customer’s experience. For example, if you’re entering a customer’s order, you should ensure you enter the correct name, address and payment information.

Computer literacy: Computer literacy is the ability to use a computer and its software. As an Instacart shopper, you may use a computer to enter orders, enter customer information and complete other tasks. Having strong computer literacy skills can help you complete your job duties efficiently.

Instacart Shopper Work Environment

The work environment for an Instacart Shopper is very flexible. You can work any hours that you want as long as you meet the minimum hours required.

Instacart Shopper Trends

Here are three trends influencing how Instacart shoppers work. Instacart shoppers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Growth of Online Grocery Shopping

The growth of online grocery shopping is a trend that is quickly gaining popularity among consumers. This is due to the convenience and ease of ordering groceries online, as well as the wide selection of products that are available.

As more and more people start to shop for groceries online, Instacart shoppers will be in high demand. These professionals will need to have excellent customer service skills and be able to navigate through different websites to find the best deals on products.

More Competition From Other Shoppers

As online grocery shopping becomes more popular, there will be an increased demand for Instacart shoppers. This is because customers want their groceries delivered as quickly as possible, which is where Instacart comes in.

Instacart shoppers can capitalize on this trend by becoming experts in the products that they deliver. They can also work hard to develop relationships with customers so that they stay loyal to the company. In the future, customers may be willing to pay extra for faster delivery times, which would be a great opportunity for Instacart shoppers.

Greater Focus on Health and Wellness

The health and wellness industry is growing rapidly, as more and more people are looking for ways to improve their lives. This has led to an increased demand for services such as nutrition counseling, fitness coaching, and personal training.

As a shopper for Instacart, you can capitalize on this trend by becoming an expert in these areas. You can do this by taking courses and attending seminars, or by working directly with clients to help them achieve their goals.

How to Become an Instacart Shopper

An Instacart shopper career can be a great way to earn extra money. You’ll need to be available for shifts that are assigned to you, so this is best if you have flexible hours. You’ll also need to be able to lift up to 40 pounds, which may be difficult if you have a physical disability.

The most important thing when looking for an Instacart shopper job is to make sure the company has a good rating on Glassdoor. This will give you an idea of what it’s like to work for the company and whether or not it’s worth applying.

You can also search for jobs on Indeed and Craigslist. Make sure to read the job description carefully and ask any questions you have before applying.

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