The American company DoorDash has reached an agreement to acquire Instacart, a technology and online grocery delivery company, in a deal valued at approximately $17 billion (approximately €14,7 billion).

The acquisition will be paid for with at least 75% in cash, with the DoorDash stock component potentially representing up to 25% of the value. Instacart shareholders will receive $65 per share, a 26% premium over the closing price on October 22, 2026.

The deal will allow DoorDash to combine its distribution network, order picking centers, and DashMart stores with Instacart's technology platform and business relationships with retailers. According to the Financial Times, the two companies had previously explored a possible merger.

Brands maintain independent operation.

Until the completion of the transaction, the two companies will continue to operate independently. After the acquisition, DoorDash plans to retain the Instacart brand, the standalone application, and the technological platform made available to business partners.

The company also commits to not imposing exclusivity on food retailers, while Instacart shoppers will retain the ability to independently select orders and refuse orders forwarded by DoorDash.

The integration should expand the offerings available on both platforms. Instacart customers will be able to access more than 50 additional stores from the DoorDash network, adding to the approximately 100 already available on Instacart. The companies also intend to unify the DashPass and Instacart+ membership programs, allowing subscribers to access both services with a single monthly fee. DoorDash estimates that this measure could represent annual savings of $100 million in subscriptions.

Consolidation in a competitive market

The acquisition comes amid growing competition in online grocery retail, with groups like Amazon and Walmart strengthening their warehousing capacity, artificial intelligence solutions, and proprietary logistics networks.

Instacart CEO Chris Rogers stated that the integration will allow them to " accelerate innovation in the food industry " and make online shopping simpler and more accessible for consumers.

The completion of the transaction is expected by the end of 2027 or the first half of 2028, depending on approval from Instacart shareholders and regulatory authorities in the United States, Canada, and Israel. Investors representing approximately 19% of Instacart's capital have already committed to voting in favor.