Customers of Big Lots now have the option for same-day delivery through Instacart, according to a press release.
The retailer's goods and groceries from 1,400 stores across 47 states are available to be delivered to customers' doors, and there will be other items such as "home goods, kitchen and dining, beauty, pet, personal care, office and craft supplies, toys and more" on offer, the release states.
Customers can visit the Instacart website or use the Instacart app on their phones and shop for the items they need. They can select same-day delivery as an option at the checkout screen, with all delivery options defaulting to leave deliveries at the door for compliance with social distancing guidelines, the release states.
Chris Rogers, vice president of Retail at Instacart, said in the release that he recognized many people are now depending on the delivery services to avoid potential exposure to the coronavirus, and so the partnership would be a plus for Big Lots customers.
Erica Fortune, vice president of eCommerce at Big Lots, said the company hoped to bring Big Lots' array of items to customers' homes, and that Big Lots remained committed to "exceptional value, surprising products and an easy shopping experience to families across the U.S.," according to the release
As the pandemic has shifted customers' preferences to digital shopping, problems have arisen such as tip-baiting in which users change their tips to much lower amounts or even nothing at all after the delivery has been made.
As a result, Instacart has changed its policy, requiring customers to leave feedback when they change tips, removing those who have consistently removed their tips after the fact, and shortening the time frame wherein customers are allowed to remove tips, from three days to just 24 hours.
In addition, the delivery app will let Instacart shoppers cash out their tips 24 hours after a delivery is finished to have access to the funds faster.
