NYC Shoppers Resist New NYC Bill, According to Survey

Shoppers tell us time and again how important it is that they can continue to earn flexibly on our platform – meaning they get to choose when, where and how much they want to shop – at a time that’s right for them. 

That’s especially true in New York City, where the City Council is considering an ordinance that would drastically impact the way shoppers access earnings opportunities throughout the five boroughs. As currently drafted, the ordinance would likely impact the ability for thousands of shoppers to access the Instacart platform. It would mean Instacart could need to institute a scheduling system in order to navigate some of the regulations within this ordinance, similar to what restaurant delivery companies had to do earlier this year. We know a scheduling system isn’t what Instacart shoppers want –  the vast majority work less than 10 hours per week, choosing to shop batches around work and school schedules, family commitments and other priorities that require a more flexible earning opportunity. 

Further, this ordinance is being put forward without considering the unintended consequences it will have not only on consumers and local grocers in New York City, but on the shoppers it is purportedly intended to help. We wanted to hear directly from those who would be impacted by the potential changes this bill would create, so we reached out to local New York City shoppers via a survey in early December. More than 540 Instacart shoppers responded, and here’s what we found out:

• 78% of shoppers surveyed were not even aware this bill was being considered by the New York City Council.
• 68% of shoppers oppose a scheduling system that would need to be created in order to meet the requirements of this law, should it be approved.
• 89% of shoppers believe the Council should take more time to gather input.

In fact, shoppers also shared their stories on how these changes could negatively impact their ability to earn, including:

• Michael D., Queens: “The flexibility I get shopping with Instacart allows me to support my family and community on my own terms. A 9-to-5 schedule would tie me down. This ordinance would undermine my freedom, making it difficult to maintain the lifestyle and support that I value.”

• Kasandra B., Brooklyn: “The passing of this ordinance would significantly impact me, as Instacart serves as my secondary source of income that I use whenever I’m available. Having to adhere to a set schedule would disrupt my flexibility completely.”

• Lashawanda W., Queens: “This ordinance would drastically impact my life by taking away my ability to create my own realistic and ideal work hours. I rely on Instacart to pay rent, and it’s unfair to be forced into a rigid system resembling a 9-to-5 job. We need the flexibility to live and work on our own terms. This proposal should be entirely eliminated!”

It’s clear this bill is not what shoppers in New York City want. The New York City Council should prioritize listening to the voices of individuals who are directly impacted by this ordinance. The Council has an opportunity to build a better path forward that works for everyone. We encourage the city to work collaboratively with all parties to create a system that supports shoppers’ ability to earn on their terms, ensures compliance, and avoids unintended consequences that could harm their livelihoods.

Instacart

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Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.