US grocer Foodcellar Market deploys Scan & Pay checkout technology powered by Instacart

Instacart has announced the launch of Scan & Pay in partnership with Long Island City grocer, Foodcellar Market.

The retailer is the first to fully debut this technology for in-store shopping.

Foodcellar can now allow customers to scan the barcodes of their items – including produce – while shopping and pay directly through their phones. This means no more waiting in line.

Scan & Pay links items bought in-store to customers’ online Instacart account, making it easier to shop their preferred items from Foodcellar.

“We know that our customers’ time is precious, and we're dedicated to ensuring that every moment they spend with us is enjoyable and efficient,” says Metin Mangut, Co-Founder at Foodcellar Market.

“Our customers have shared their surprise at how easy it is to use Scan & Pay – there's no need to download an app or learn complicated technology. We’ve been really pleased with the early adoption and our store associates love how Scan & Pay reduces stress for them too.”

To get started, customers scan the QR code on the sign located at the front of the store, which opens Scan & Pay in their mobile browser so they can add items to their basket as they shop.

When they’re done, they can checkout from anywhere in the store directly from their phone, and show a QR code as they leave to confirm their payment.

In the initial weeks since launch, Scan & Pay has been most utilised during peak hours – 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. –  for smaller basket sizes typically less than 10 items.

“Grocers like Foodcellar Market are key to the local communities they serve, and our technology helps them provide a more convenient and delightful experience for their customers,” says David McIntosh, VP and GM of Connected Stores at Instacart.

“Scan & Pay is helping customers to stay on budget while shopping in-store. Whether it’s one last-minute ingredient or a basket full of items, we’re making it even easier for customers to get what they need, when they need it.”

Foodcellar Market has served as an innovation and testing hub for Caper Carts, Instacart’s AI powered shopping carts, since 2018 and a partner for its e-commerce business since 2016.