Explore how Canada’s quick commerce market is evolving beyond speed, as retailers and delivery platforms use partnerships, loyalty programmes and AI to make on-demand grocery more convenient and personalised.
At a Glance
As on-demand grocery develops in Canada, retailers are rethinking how they use quick commerce to drive growth. Recent developments highlight a market that is evolving beyond rapid delivery, with retailers and technology partners investing in new ways to increase customer engagement, extend reach and encourage repeat purchases. The latest initiatives reveal four key themes shaping the future of quick commerce in the market.
Delivery platforms become critical route-to-market partners
One of the clearest developments is the growing importance of partnerships. In April 2026, DoorDash significantly expanded its grocery presence through a partnership with Empire Company, bringing more than 1,000 stores across banners including Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Farm Boy and Longo's onto its platform. DoorDash noted that grocery is one of its fastest-growing categories in Canada and that a quarter of its monthly active users already engage with grocery, convenience, alcohol or retail offerings.
More recently, the trend has accelerated further with Costco launching on DoorDash across all 115 Canadian warehouse locations, giving members on-demand access to groceries, pantry staples and household essentials.
For retailers, these partnerships provide immediate access to additional shoppers without the need to build and scale proprietary delivery networks. For delivery platforms, securing major grocery banners strengthens their position as everyday shopping destinations rather than purely restaurant-focused apps.
Convenience is expanding
Quick commerce is also expanding beyond traditional grocery shopping missions. Increasingly, delivery platforms are looking to meet a wider range of consumer needs through partnerships that broaden access and increase convenience.
One example is the partnership between Skip and Instacart, which allows customers to access grocery, retail and restaurant delivery through both apps. By bringing together complementary offerings, the companies are creating a more comprehensive convenience ecosystem for Canadian shoppers.
At the same time, grocery shopping is beginning to appear in new consumer touchpoints. Airbnb has partnered with Instacart to enable guests to order groceries directly through the Airbnb app before arriving at their accommodation.
Together, these examples show how quick commerce is evolving beyond a simple delivery service. Grocery shopping is becoming increasingly integrated into consumers' everyday activities, creating new opportunities for retailers to reach shoppers wherever they are.
Retailers are strengthening their own propositions
While many retailers are expanding through third-party delivery platforms, others are investing in their own ecosystems to deepen customer loyalty.
A good example is Walmart Canada's launch of Walmart+, which combines unlimited same-day grocery delivery and free shipping with no minimum order value. The proposition is designed to increase shopping frequency and give customers more reasons to engage with Walmart across multiple touchpoints.
The move highlights how convenience is becoming a strategic differentiator. As delivery becomes more widely available through partners, retailers will need to offer additional benefits that strengthen customer loyalty. The opportunity is to build closer relationships with shoppers and give them more reasons to keep coming back. Retailers that can combine convenience, value and loyalty rewards will be in a stronger position as competition in quick commerce continues to grow.
AI is helping solve shopper friction
The final development is the increasing role of AI in enhancing the online grocery experience. Instacart recently launched Clementine, a conversational AI assistant that helps shoppers plan meals, build baskets and create personalised carts based on their preferences and previous purchases. The tool is powered by data from 1.6 billion historical orders and can recommend products based on real-time availability.
The development reflects a broader shift in quick commerce. The focus is no longer just on delivering groceries quickly, but on making the entire shopping journey easier. By reducing the effort involved in planning meals and compiling shopping lists, AI has the potential to increase conversion, support larger baskets and strengthen customer loyalty.
Convenience becomes a competitive advantage
Canada's quick commerce market is rapidly developing. Retailers and delivery companies are building larger ecosystems through partnerships, membership programmes and AI-powered experiences. Competition is shifting from speed alone towards ownership of customer relationships. Retailers that can combine convenience, loyalty and personalisation will be best positioned to capture growth as on-demand grocery becomes an increasingly embedded part of everyday life.