Airbnb Tests Instacart Grocery Delivery for Guests
▼ Summary
– Airbnb is piloting a grocery service with Instacart that allows guests to order groceries through the Airbnb app before and during their stay.
– The pilot will launch in January in select U.S. markets including Phoenix, Orlando, and Los Angeles for eligible hosts.
– Hosts will receive $25 for accepting and putting away pre-ordered groceries and a $100 bonus for their first completed order.
– This grocery service is part of Airbnb’s “Services” category launched in May, which includes offerings like massages and chef-prepared meals.
– Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky stated that Services are expected to add $1 billion or more in annual revenue to the company.
Airbnb is launching a trial program with Instacart that enables guests to arrange for grocery deliveries directly through the Airbnb platform before and throughout their trip. This initiative, confirmed by the company, aims to simplify the travel experience by letting visitors stock their rental kitchens seamlessly. A spokesperson for Airbnb explained that the company continually explores new features and categories to enhance user satisfaction. Following the introduction of Airbnb Services earlier in the year, a pilot for grocery delivery via Instacart will roll out in several U.S. markets starting in January.
The service will initially be accessible to a limited group of hosts with eligible properties in Phoenix, Orlando, and Los Angeles. According to details on Airbnb’s support site, hosts who accept and store pre-ordered groceries before guest arrival will earn $25 per order, plus a $100 bonus for their first completed request. Guests gain the ability to submit Instacart orders via the Airbnb app as early as three weeks prior to check-in.
An Instacart representative noted that integrating grocery capabilities directly into Airbnb’s environment helps guests settle in more comfortably from the moment they arrive. The collaboration leverages Instacart’s extensive retail partnerships and technological infrastructure to serve Airbnb’s customer base.
This grocery delivery feature represents the newest component of Airbnb Services, which debuted in May. That platform lets travelers book various amenities, such as massages, haircuts, or private chef meals, either as part of their lodging reservation or separately. The expansion into curated services places Airbnb in more direct rivalry with established travel and experience providers like Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Viator, and GetYourGuide.
Airbnb’s CEO Brian Chesky has publicly stated that the Services division is projected to contribute at least $1 billion or more in annual revenue. This strategic move underscores the company’s ambition to diversify its offerings and capture a larger share of the travel and hospitality market.
(Source: TechCrunch)
