Working as an Instacart shopper comes with an average earning of $20 per hour for fulfilled Instacart batches.
The high earning Instacart shoppers tend to increase their working hours so they can earn more.
But this is also backed up with completing Instacart batches as efficiently and as fast as possible. This way, they can move on to the next Instacart batch quickly.
What Time Do Instacart Batches Start?
The general time that Instacart batches start is 9:00am. That said, your working hours are dependent on the Instacart retail store that you’re working with. And this means that your Instacart batches might start a little earlier or later than other Instacart retail stores in other regions.
If you’re working with an Instacart store with 24/7 service, then you might be able to start your batches as early as possible.
What Are Instacart Batches?
Before you start worrying about the time Instacart batches start, it’s important to know what Instacart batches are and how they operate.
For starters, Instacart batches are the grocery orders customers place on Instacart. Instacart shoppers would collect these grocery orders and shop for the grocery items on behalf of the customers who placed the orders.
Generally, a grocery order contains a number or list of items, and that’s what makes it a batch. Basically, a grocery order is also known as an Instacart batch. Whether there’s a single item or many on a grocery order, it’ll still be called a batch.
Are There Multiple Orders In One Batch?
Generally, a batch contains one or more orders, so it’s possible to find a batch containing more than one order.
But here’s something you should know. Customers have their preferences when it comes to retail stores, and as such they often buy from different stores on Instacart. Instacart usually groups orders based on the stores they’re to be purchased from.
So, you’ll find that a batch of multiple orders is basically a group or list of orders to be shopped from a particular store.
Which Instacart Shopper Gets To Handle Batches?
Seeing as orders are also known as batches, it’s technically possible to say that all Instacart shoppers can take on batches.
But for clarity, you have to make a distinction between the types of shoppers on Instacart.
Generally, there are two types of Instacart shoppers; the full service shopper and the in-store shopper.
Full Service Instacart shopper: is an independent contractor that makes use of Instacart to shop for, package and deliver orders to Instacart customers.
A full service Instacart shopper is free to choose working hours and schedule, and are responsible for fulfilling Instacart batches.
Basically, the more often you work and the more batches you complete, would improve your earnings. A full service shopper is expected to have a registered vehicle (car, motorbike, truck etc) to use for deliveries.
You should also be aware of a sub-category known as a personal shopper.
A personal shopper is usually a full service shopper who serves as a personal shopper for specific customers while still being a full service shopper.
A personal shopper can also take on Instacart batches.
In-store shopper: is more of an employee under Instacart with a valid employment contract of at least 20 hours a week.
An in-store shopper basically receives Instacart orders for a particular store, and goes ahead to shop and bag the items on Instacart orders for delivery.
In-store shoppers don’t handle delivery, and they’re generally not required to own a vehicle. Also, in-store shoppers are generally not known to handle batches since batches usually include in-person delivery.
When Do Instacart Batches Open?
Just as there are different time zones all over the world, there are different opening times and operational hours in the various regions where Instacart operates.
Generally though, Instacart batches are open for claim as early as 9:00am across all regions where Instacart operates.
Instacart has a regular business schedule that runs from 9:00am to 10:00pm, and all Instacart batches start and end with the regular business hours.
However, there are certain Instacart retail stores that start as early as 7:00am. These stores are open to receive batches within their opening hour of 7:00am. But that’s not all.
Thanks to the recent upgrade of Instacart operation to provide 24/7 services, it’s possible that Instacart batches can open a lot earlier than 9:00am.
As of September 2021, Instacart announced that it would begin its 24/7 delivery service.
This simply means that Instacart operation would be round the clock, and users can place orders at any time and have it delivered on time.
So technically, if Instacart is running 24/7 it stands to reason that Instacart batches would also be open 24/7 – after all, you’re the one who decides your working hours as a full service shopper.
Read: Does Instacart Take EBT?
Is Instacart’s 24/7 Service Available With All Stores?
Here’s a caveat though; Instacart’s 24/7 operation isn’t active with all retail stores on Instacart. Although Instacart is running a 24/7 delivery service, only a few retail partners are currently active.
As at the time when Instacart launched its 24/7 service, it began with retail partners such as Rite Aid, Walgreens, 7-Eleven, Safeway and CVS.
While many more retail stores on Instacart are gradually running 24/7 services, there are still a lot of retail partners yet to join the 24/7 train.
Seeing as only a few retail partners are open round the clock on Instacart, customers can only place orders with such retail partners at any time of their choosing.
And this means that batches would likewise be open round the clock strictly for the active stores running 24/7 service on Instacart.
In summary, Instacart batches don’t have a specific time they start or end. It mostly depends on the business schedules of individual retail stores on Instacart.
Some can start as early as 7:00am, most start at 9:00am, and there are others who operate round the clock with no starting or closing hour except probably on weekends.
Seeing as there’s no specific time for Instacart batches to start, you can use it to your advantage as an Instacart shopper.
You can take early batches with retail stores that start as early as 7:00am. This would be a great way to earn early and to avoid the competition that comes with busy business hours.
You could also start and earn early with retail stores that have early opening hours, and relax during the hectic business hours. What’s more? Being available for early batches is a great way to boost your rating as an Instacart shopper, especially if you handle the batches well.
What Time Are Instacart Batches Most Active?
Instacart batches start as early as 7:00am and 9:00am, however that doesn’t guarantee earning much. As a matter of fact, Instacart batches are fewer during the starting hours compared to the closing hours.
Why? A lot of people are often preoccupied with getting to work and tending to other responsibilities during the day.
As such, the thought of shopping for groceries only comes later during the day when customers have closed from their workplaces or are done with most of their responsibilities for the day. So what’s the peak hours for Instacart batches?
Instacart batches are mostly active around 4:00pm when most customers are either just rounding up or have left work.
At such a time, it’s easier to open the Instacart app for a quick shopping, especially as it saves the stress of going to the grocery store in person.
So, if you’re looking for the peak hours for Instacart batches, you should target 4:00pm to 7:00pm when most customers would be concerned about preparing dinner.
4:00 pm to 7:00pm are the usual peak hours for Instacart batches during the week (Mondays to Fridays).
But it’s a different story during weekends (Friday/Saturdays to Sundays).
On weekends, Instacart batches are usually most active through the morning and afternoon hours.
On Saturday, you’re looking at peak hours of 10:00am till 4:00pm, while on Sunday, the peak hours start either around 10:00am or 12:00pm till 4:00pm.
Want to learn more about Instacart? Check out our related posts to learn if Instacart delivers cigarettes, does Instacart deliver alcohol, and can you work for Shipt and Instacart?
Conclusion
Instacart batches start as early as 7:00am, but varies according to region and retail store.
While it may be a great idea to take on early batches, you may not earn exceptionally much.
Your best bet for earning more is to take on Instacart batches during peak and late hours.
There’s a greater flow of batches in peak hours with nice tips. Set your eyes on those hours.