Wharton Tech Toks Instacart: Beyond Grocery Delivery
May 1, 2024
Camille Van Horne, Director of Product Management at Instacart and a Stanford MBA grad, shares her insights on the grocery delivery giant's evolution. She discusses the launch of Instacart Platform, emphasizing in-store innovations like caper carts and electronic shelf labels. Camille also reveals how Instacart is leveraging AI for personalized experiences and fulfillment solutions while partnering with grocers. Her perspective on product management highlights the importance of emotional intelligence and long-term vision in navigating the complexities of grocery retail.
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Career Path From PM To Enterprise Lead
- Camille joined Instacart after her MBA and grew from senior PM to director overseeing in-store to end-to-end fulfillment flows.
- She now focuses on enterprise customers, helping retailers adopt Instacart technology selectively.
Platform Shift Beyond The App
- Instacart shifted from consumer delivery to enabling retailers with e-commerce and in-store tech to extend reach.
- The company sees its role as bringing online capabilities into physical stores through products like caper carts.
In-Store Innovations Example
- Instacart acquired and deployed caper carts that recognize items placed in them and let customers check out directly from the cart.
- They also introduced electronic shelf labels and shopper-facing tech to streamline pick-and-pack with AI and images.