Omni Talk Retail Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Fast Five Shorts | Pro Or Con: Instacart Piloting CPG Brand Tasks For Its Workers
Release Date: February 13, 2025
Hosts: Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga

Introduction to Instacart's New Pilot Program

In this episode of Omni Talk Retail, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga delve into Instacart's latest initiative: a pilot program introducing Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brand tasks for its independent contractors. As reported by Grocery Dive, Instacart is testing a system where gig workers can opt to perform in-store activities on behalf of CPG brands, such as photographing in-store displays. This pilot is currently limited to select markets and workers, with the option for workers to view payment details before accepting tasks and without any penalties for declining them.

Chris Walton opens the discussion by posing the central question: "Are you pro or con? Instacart adding CPG brand tasks for its gig workers" (00:00).

Anne Mezzenga's Perspective: Leaning Pro with Reservations

Anne Mezzenga expresses a nuanced position on the matter, initially indicating uncertainty with a humorous remark: "Can I say prawn?" (00:40). She clarifies her stance by stating, "I'm probably more pro than I am con, I think... right squarely in the middle. Maybe a slight hedge towards pro" (00:53).

Key Points from Anne:

• Enhanced Utilization of Gig Workers: Anne appreciates that Instacart is leveraging its existing gig workforce more effectively. She remarks, "This is a smart extension of what Instacart already does well, which is deploying gig workers into grocery stores" (00:53).

• Potential Challenges: She raises concerns about task diversification possibly leading to slower pick times and increased misspicks due to distractions. Anne emphasizes the importance of task separation to mitigate these issues: "If you just have a gig worker staff that does the CPG work and one that goes and does the picking, problem solved" (01:50).

• Long-Term Solutions: Anne suggests that while the pilot is a positive step, investing in automation—such as robots for consistent in-store tasks—would be more sustainable in the long run: "I still think that making an investment in something like a robot to do this... is the investment that I would make in the long run" (02:10).

Chris Walton's Insights: Balancing Optimism with Realism

Chris Walton concurs with Anne's positive outlook but introduces additional considerations. He underscores the importance of how Instacart implements the pilot, noting: "If this means that... I could get orders from coming in my way, like, this is a great thing to do when you're killing time" (02:10).

Key Points from Chris:

• Operational Efficiency: Chris highlights that the success of the pilot hinges on maintaining operational efficiency without compromising the primary picking tasks. He states, "As long as this stays separate and it does not slow or... impact picks, I think that's the key thing here" (02:10).

• Temporary vs. Permanent Solutions: Acknowledging the pilot's potential as an interim measure, Chris reiterates the need for more robust solutions like automation for consistent task execution: "That is the investment that I would make in the long run" (02:10).

• Industry Context: Chris briefly touches on broader industry developments, mentioning the rollout of a smart cart at Kohl's and the challenges of engaging with Instacart's communications team amidst other commitments: "That's why we picked it so to tell our audience how the sausage is made" (03:38).

Balanced Conclusion: Proponents and Caveats

Both hosts converge on the idea that while Instacart's pilot program is promising, its ultimate success depends on thoughtful implementation. Anne emphasizes the importance of task separation to prevent workflow disruptions, while Chris underscores the need for sustained investments in automation for long-term efficacy.

Notable Quotes:

• Anne Mezzenga: "Net net, I'm actually talking myself into... I'm pretty pro on this, I think" (02:10).
• Chris Walton: "That's probably a worthwhile investment" when referring to paying workers to take on CPG tasks (02:10).

Additional Discussions: Smart Cart Rollout at Kohl's

Towards the end of the episode, the conversation shifts to other industry innovations, specifically the introduction of smart carts at Kohl's. Chris mentions that despite attempts by Instacart's communications team to engage them, they prioritized covering the smart cart rollout due to its relevance and impact: "That's why we picked it so to tell our audience how the sausage is made" (03:38).

Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with hosts recognizing the potential of Instacart's pilot while advocating for strategic planning to address inherent challenges. They agree that while the initiative offers valuable insights and preliminary benefits, scalable and sustainable solutions will be crucial for long-term success in the evolving retail landscape.

Listen to the full episode of Omni Talk Retail to gain deeper insights into the dynamic intersection of gig economy strategies and retail innovations.