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Accelerated checkout

When you configure Accelerated checkout with Partner pick, your store associates can skip the traditional checkout process. This process streamlines the picking experience and allows for improved efficiency. You can configure accelerated checkout in one of the following ways:

  • Enable Shop2Bag. Requires store associates to scan a bag barcode at the checkout counter, but doesn’t require rebagging items.
  • Integrate with Point of sale order injection (POSOI). Requires Instacart to integrate with your Point of sale (POS) system so that store associates can entirely skip the checkout aisle.

Shop2Bag​

With Shop2Bag, store associates find and scan items, then place them in bags. Items are then added to a checkout barcode in the Shopper app, which the cashier scans at the checkout. This process avoids having to scan each item individually at checkout. Weighed items such as produce are excluded from this feature and still need to be manually re-scanned at checkout.

To configure Shop2Bag, contact your Instacart representative.

Point of sale order injection (POSOI)​

POSOI is a feature of the Storefront Pro (SFP) platform that facilitates the integration of your POS systems with Instacart's order processing and fulfillment systems. This integration lets you to bypass the regular checkout lanes, send direct payments, and communicate the final transaction details to your POS system.

To configure POSOI, contact your Instacart representative.

POSOI with Bypass checkout​

Bypass checkout lets your store associates to skip the checkout and proceed directly to delivery or pick-up. POSOI can be used to complement Bypass checkout by sending the finalized transactions to your POS.

Bypass checkout requires that all items have a valid Universal Product Code (UPC). If an item doesn't have a UPC and is force-marked by the shopper, you can assign a specific Instacart (IC) code for these items. If force-marking is not permitted, shoppers won't be allowed to use Bypass checkout and must complete transactions using the POS system.

note

Force-mark is a feature in the Shopper app that allows store associates to confirm that the item they are picking is correct even if its UPC doesn’t match the one in the store’s system. This ensures store associates can proceed despite mismatches between the scanned UPC and system records.

Before you start​

Configuration is handled by Instacart. Ensure you have the following completed before working with your Instacart representative:

  • Verify that partner pick is fully enabled. For more information about partner pick, see Partner pick.
  • Confirm that Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) is set up for file transfers.
  • Assign a specific code to charge for bags during the checkout process.
  • Provide POS-specific codes, such as those for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) payments, to your Instacart representative. For more information about SNAP EBT, see SNAP EBT.
  • Using Instacart Platform Portal, ensure a Stripe account is configured to handle direct fund transfers when orders are completed. For information about Stripe, see Connect to Stripe.

Test your configuration​

When your configuration is complete, run tests on the POSOI files to confirm they work properly and the data is accurate.

Keep in mind that order processing typically takes a few minutes to complete.

  1. Include multiple items with different quantities. Have at least one weighed item, if applicable, and taxable items.
  2. Note the Order ID for reference.
  3. If your POS system receives a file, ensure its naming pattern matches the Order ID.
  4. Download and verify that the files contain the following:
    • Order attributes that match the placed order, such as Order ID, dates, and totals.
    • Customer information, if required by your POS.
    • All the items, each listed with the correct prices and quantities.
    • Tax information that is correctly applied.
  5. Check the logs for any errors or warnings.

If you are using a file-based POS system, such as Retail Operations Resource Center (RORC), Instacart generates a file that conforms to the format specified by the POS. For other system types, Instacart sends the transaction details using an API call. The file or details contain all order data which are transmitted using SFTP.

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