DoorDash Reportedly in Talks to Buy Instacart in $17B Deal

DoorDash Eyes $17 Billion Instacart Deal

DoorDash is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire grocery delivery platform Instacart in a deal that could be worth approximately $17 billion, potentially reshaping the U.S. food and grocery delivery industry. The reported negotiations emerged on October 26, 2026, with a possible agreement as early as October 28. However, the companies have not announced a completed acquisition, and the discussions could still fall apart. The reported deal was based on information from people familiar with the negotiations, according to Reuters. If completed, the acquisition would combine DoorDash’s established restaurant delivery network with Instacart’s grocery delivery marketplace and relationships with retailers. The combination could give DoorDash a stronger position in the growing competition to deliver groceries, restaurant meals and everyday retail products directly to consumers.

Why DoorDash Wants to Buy Instacart

DoorDash has expanded beyond restaurant deliveries as delivery companies look for new sources of revenue and ways to attract customers who want more than takeout. Acquiring Instacart would give DoorDash access to an established grocery shopping platform, its retail partnerships and its existing customer base. DoorDash could combine those resources with its own delivery network and technology to expand its reach in the grocery market. Instacart, which operates under the corporate name Maplebear Inc., connects consumers with grocery stores and other retailers through its digital platform. Customers can order products for delivery or pickup without shopping directly at the store. The potential acquisition would bring two major delivery businesses under the same corporate umbrella, giving the combined company a broader presence across restaurant meals, groceries and other retail categories.

Instacart Could Be Valued at $17 Billion

Instacart reportedly had a market value of approximately $13 billion at the close of trading on October 23. A potential acquisition worth $17 billion would represent a substantial premium over that valuation, although the final purchase price and deal structure have not been confirmed. News of the negotiations affected both companies’ stock prices on October 26. Instacart shares rose approximately 8% during regular trading, while DoorDash shares fell about 6%, according to Reuters. Instacart went public in 2023 after experiencing significant growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, when consumers increasingly relied on grocery delivery services. Since then, the company has faced a more competitive market as major retailers and delivery platforms expand their digital shopping and fulfillment operations. Instacart has also pursued advertising and other business opportunities beyond delivery fees as it works to generate additional revenue.

What Happened to Instacart’s Talks With Uber?

Instacart had reportedly explored a potential sale and held preliminary discussions with both DoorDash and Uber. However, Reuters reported on October 26 that discussions between Instacart and Uber were no longer active. That development leaves DoorDash as the reported leading potential buyer, although the status of negotiations does not guarantee an agreement will be reached. Uber has also been expanding its delivery operations through acquisitions and other strategic moves. A purchase of Instacart would have strengthened its grocery delivery business, but the reported end of those discussions means the company is no longer an active participant in the potential transaction.

Competition With Amazon and Walmart

A DoorDash and Instacart combination could increase competitive pressure on Amazon and Walmart, both of which have invested heavily in online shopping, grocery fulfillment and delivery services. Amazon has expanded grocery delivery through its broader retail ecosystem and its Whole Foods business. Walmart benefits from its extensive network of physical stores, which can serve as fulfillment locations for online grocery orders. DoorDash and Instacart bring different strengths to that competition. DoorDash has built a major restaurant delivery business and expanded into other retail categories, while Instacart has established relationships with grocery retailers and a platform specifically designed for grocery shopping. Combining those capabilities could help DoorDash offer customers more shopping options through a single delivery ecosystem. However, the potential benefits would depend on the companies’ ability to integrate their operations, retain retailer partnerships and manage costs.

Regulatory Questions Could Complicate the Deal

A potential acquisition would also raise questions about competition because DoorDash and Instacart both operate in grocery delivery. Regulators could examine whether combining the companies would reduce competition, affect retailer relationships or limit consumer choice. The extent of any review would depend on the transaction’s structure, the relevant markets and the evidence regulators consider. DoorDash and Instacart previously held acquisition discussions in 2021, when Instacart was valued substantially higher as a private company. Those talks did not produce a deal, with regulatory concerns among the issues reported at the time. The current reported valuation is considerably lower, but that does not eliminate the possibility of regulatory scrutiny.

No Acquisition Has Been Confirmed

As of October 27, 2026, the reported $17 billion acquisition remains a potential transaction rather than a completed deal. Reuters reported that an agreement could be reached as early as Wednesday, October 28, but there is no guarantee that negotiations will result in a signed agreement. Instacart declined to comment to Reuters, while DoorDash and Uber did not immediately respond to requests for comment. If the acquisition moves forward, it could mark a major consolidation in the delivery industry and give DoorDash a significantly stronger position in online grocery shopping. For now, the outcome depends on whether the companies can agree on the price, transaction terms and other conditions required to complete a deal.