Celebrating Independent Grocery Innovation

Announcing the 2026 Instacart Independent Grocery Award Winners

Independent grocers are at the heart of communities across North America — combining deep local roots with forward‑thinking strategies that keep them competitive in a rapidly evolving retail landscape. At Instacart, we’re proud to partner with retailers who embrace innovation, invest in their teams, and deliver exceptional experiences both in‑store and online.

Now in its second year, the Instacart Independent Grocery Awards (IIGAs) honor retailers and wholesaler partners for excellence over the past year — celebrating those who are transforming their businesses with Instacart’s e-commerce solutions and connected stores technologies. From omnichannel excellence to customer loyalty, this year’s winners demonstrate the power of pairing community‑driven service with modern retail innovation.

Over the next few months, we’ll be diving deeper into many of these industry leaders’ strategies to share best practices, but for now, let’s celebrate their success!

Here are the 2026 IIGA honorees:

Performance Excellence Award

Recognizing retailers who achieved strong performance across multiple dimensions on Instacart Marketplace—delivering year-over-year growth while maintaining high customer satisfaction scores and operational excellence.

1–5 Store Locations:

• Stauffers of Kissel Hill — A family‑owned Pennsylvania retailer operating grocery stores and garden centers, Stauffers is recognized for consistently delivering high‑quality experiences grounded in fresh products and strong community service.

• Agora Market — A single‑store Chicago grocer rooted in Greek heritage, Agora Market blends curated global flavors with local community focus, offering a modern and distinctive neighborhood shopping experience.

5+ Store Locations:

• Kowalski’s Markets — A Twin Cities grocer known for quality and hospitality, Kowalski’s has grown into an 11‑store regional favorite through its commitment to service, fresh offerings, and thoughtful store design.

• Yoke’s Fresh Market — An employee‑owned retailer serving communities across Washington, Idaho, and Montana, Yoke’s Fresh Market is recognized for its fresh‑focused approach and long‑standing tradition of exceptional customer care.

Retailer Partnership Excellence Award

Honoring independent grocers who champion digital innovation across their operations.

• Piggly Wiggly Midwest — A regional grocer serving Wisconsin and surrounding states, Piggly Wiggly Midwest brings decades of community‑focused retail heritage and has expanded its digital footprint by launching their owned e-commerce program on Storefront Pro across 83 store locations and enabling pickup at select retail locations.
• Allegiance Retail Services — A retailer-owned cooperative supporting 125 independent supermarkets across the Northeast, Allegiance has launched Instacart's Storefront Pro and AI-powered Caper Carts at select Foodtown locations, with plans to introduce Carrot Tags and expand FoodStorm for catering and prepared foods in 2026.
• Grove Kosher Markets — A multi-location Glatt Kosher grocer serving communities across Florida and the Midwest, Grove Kosher Market has strengthened its digital operations by improving product image coverage year-over-year and optimizing inventory management. The retailer also leveraged Instacart's marketing solutions to attract new customers and re-engage existing ones. Through this collaboration, Grove Kosher has enhanced its online shopping experience and built a robust omnichannel foundation.

Wholesaler Partnership Excellence Award

Recognizing wholesale and channel partners who help empower independent retailers with digital tools.

• Associated Food Stores (AFS) — A leading cooperative wholesaler serving independent grocers across the Intermountain West, AFS distinguished itself through deep collaboration and hands-on support that accelerated digital adoption for its retailers.

• Merchants Distributors Inc. (MDI) — A long‑established distributor serving grocers across the East Coast, MDI played a key role in advancing digital capabilities for its retail network through consistent advocacy, guidance, and partnership engagement.

Omnichannel Excellence Award

Celebrating retailers who integrate in‑store and online experiences to deliver seamless, customer‑centric omnichannel performance.

• Jackson Mitchell Holdings, Inc. — An innovative operator of banners including Little Giant Farmer’s Market and FreshTake in Georgia, Jackson Mitchell Holdings has adopted Storefront Pro to modernize their e-commerce presence while maintaining their in-store experience leadership, delivering a truly unified omnichannel strategy.

Customer Retention Strategy Excellence Award

Recognizing retailers who deliver standout customer experiences through personalization, loyalty initiatives, and strong digital engagement.

• Mother’s Market — A Southern California natural foods retailer with a strong community presence, Mother’s Market has elevated its digital experience through thoughtful content, curated assortments, and consistent customer‑centric engagement.

New Independent Retailer of the Year Award

Honoring retailers who launched with Instacart in 2025 and demonstrated exceptional collaboration and strong early momentum.

• Dierbergs — A family‑owned grocer with more than 20 stores across the St. Louis region, Dierbergs launched on Instacart with strong operational rigor and a focus on delivering an exceptional customer experience from day one.
• JONS Fresh Marketplace — A family‑owned, 14‑store retailer serving diverse communities across Los Angeles, California, JONS Market brought its curated assortment and strong brand identity online with a thoughtful, high‑engagement digital launch.

These retailers and partners represent the future of independent grocery — where technology and tradition work hand‑in‑hand to build resilient, customer‑focused businesses. We’re honored to celebrate their achievements and continue supporting their growth throughout 2026 and beyond.