DoorDash to buy Instacart for about $17 billion, merging the two largest US grocery delivery apps

What happened

DoorDash announced on Oct. 29, 2026 that it will acquire Instacart in a deal valued at roughly $17 billion. Engadget describes the two companies as the largest grocery delivery platforms in the US. The deal followed reports a week earlier that Instacart was talking to both Uber and DoorDash about a sale. Engadget notes that DoorDash pursued Instacart in 2021 as well, and those talks reportedly fell apart over price and antitrust concerns.

What we know

The Vergetheverge.comEngadgetengadget.com

DoorDash is acquiring Instacart for approximately $17 billion, per The Verge and Engadget.
Engadget reports the deal combines the two biggest grocery delivery services in the US, and that it could still be blocked by antitrust scrutiny.
The Information first reported that Instacart was in sale talks with Uber and DoorDash, per The Verge. The Wall Street Journal later reported DoorDash was in advanced talks, per The Verge.
DoorDash already runs its own grocery delivery business, which competes with Instacart, Uber, Walmart and Amazon, per The Verge.
Engadget reports an earlier DoorDash approach in 2021, at a higher Instacart valuation, reportedly ended over price and antitrust concerns.

What we don't know yet

Whether the deal's terms (cash, stock or mix), closing timeline and any breakup fee are public. The sources reviewed do not say.
Whether US antitrust regulators will challenge a merger of the two largest grocery delivery platforms. Neither source reports a regulatory response.
Whether Uber made a formal offer. Engadget says only that Uber was reportedly a potential buyer at some point.

Why it matters

Grocery retailers that rely on Instacart and DoorDash for delivery, and the shoppers and couriers on both apps, would face a single dominant marketplace if regulators clear the deal. Competition authorities will have to decide whether Amazon, Walmart and Uber are enough of a counterweight.

Claims

Why you can trust this story

61%

Source map · 2 outlets / 2 articles

The Verge
- Article 1theverge.comreport
Engadget
- Article 1engadget.comreport

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Verification ledger · 5

Claim: DoorDash announced it will acquire Instacart in a deal valued at approximately $17 billion.
Status: ConfirmedVerification trailVerifiedChecked by verification engine
At least one checkable detail was matched against the full text of the cited source.
Claim: The deal combines the two largest grocery delivery platforms in the US, according to Engadget.
Status: ConfirmedVerification trailVerifiedChecked by verification engine
At least one checkable detail was matched against the full text of the cited source.
Claim: The Information reported that Instacart was in sale talks with Uber and DoorDash before the announcement.
Status: ConfirmedVerification trailVerifiedChecked by verification engine
At least one checkable detail was matched against the full text of the cited source.
Claim: A 2021 DoorDash approach to Instacart reportedly ended over price and antitrust concerns.
Status: UnconfirmedVerification trailUnverifiedChecked by verification engine
No automated check against the source text is available.
Claim: The deal may face US antitrust scrutiny.
Status: UnconfirmedVerification trailUnverifiedChecked by verification engine
No automated check against the source text is available.

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