Stock levels

The stock level label appears on item tiles to provide customers a general idea of how much inventory is available on the shelves in their selected store. The stock level label is not a guarantee of availability, rather an indicator of the likelihood that a shopper will be able to find the item in store. Instacart uses machine learning to predict how much stock is available based on information collected by shoppers who are in-store shopping for orders, and your catalog data. The predictions can change throughout the day.

Stock level labels help to build trust and set expectations with customers. Customers are able to make informed decisions when adding items to their cart, which leads to greater customer satisfaction.

In-stock levels

When items are available in your catalog, the following stock levels are possible:

• Many in stock. The machine learning algorithm predicts a higher likelihood of a shopper finding the item in store. A Many in stock label appears on the item tile and product details page.
• In stock. The machine learning algorithm predicts a strong likelihood of a shopper finding the item in store. This is the baseline state for most items a store carries. No label is displayed.
• Likely out of stock. The machine learning algorithm predicts a low likelihood of a shopper finding the item in store. A Likely out of stock label appears on the item tile and product details page. Instead of an Add button, a customer can click a Request button to request the item and also select a replacement item.

The following image shows two items, one with the Many in stock label and one with the Likely out of stock label:

Out of stock

When recent reports indicate the item is out of stock, the item is labeled as Out of stock. The item tile and product details page are shown in an inactive state. In the inactive state, the Add button and item price are hidden, the Show similar button is active, and the tile colors are muted. A customer can click the Show similar button to view a list of suggested replacement items.

The following image shows an item tile in the inactive state: