In a move signaling preparation for an IPO, Instacart filed a S-1 draft registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Instacart has had an on-again-off-again progression to an IPO with an initial hint in November 2020 when the company intended to raise $30 billion.  In January 2021, the company hired personnel with experience in IPO filings and M&A from Goldman Sachs and onboarded executives from various tech enterprises.

Last week noting the 10th anniversary of the founding of Instacart, CEO Fidji Simo commented on the achievements of the Company but made no mention of an IPO filing. She stated, "as much as we've accomplished over our first decade, I am even more excited for what is to come helping retailers and brand partners grow their businesses building a more connective online and in-store consumer experience and making grocery shopping less transactional".

During the past year, Instacart has introduced more advanced systems to interact with users and customers including the Instacart Platform and establishing Carrot Warehouses. 

Instacart provides service to more than 750 national, regional and local retailers and restaurants and has a presence in 5,500 cities with the capability of reaching 85 percent of U.S. households.

Notwithstanding the dominance of Instacart, a post-COVID move to a brick and mortar stores and curbside pick-up is evident. Consumers are developing a frugality that will limit unnecessary expenditure including home-delivery of food and groceries.