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octernion
Really fun to watch the carts change in real-time across multiple computers - how did you guys achieve this? Very cool.
akane
We use Firebase (https://www.firebase.com/) for real-time cart updates. It's super fast and pretty easy to setup.
bdittmer
Have you guys looked into using redis pubsub and socket.io?
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mwetzler
congrats Instacart! your team and your product are fantastic.
nthitz
I liked the part of the article where they explained this new Shop With Friends feature... Oh wait.

Edit: they have edited the article and now it explains the feature

nivals
Read the article twice trying to figure out if I had temporary amnesia...
yRetsyM
events / ticketing websites need this feature. I'm forever frustrated with events where allocated seating is the only method of ticket purchase and you're needing to organise and balance payments.
jsmcallister
Off-topic, but I don't think Whole Foods really qualifies as a "yuppie chain" anymore. I feel like they've successfully transitioned to a full-blown grocery store for people who want to live an organic lifestyle, which is no longer a small-market trend.
Taylorious
I don't think it has anything to do with size really, it's more about the variety of people who shop there. I don't shop there often, but the times I have, I have noticed the people shopping there weren't exactly representative of the general population.
yuppiebubble
Perhaps our understandings of "yuppie" differ, but young people who can responsibly afford to choose an "organic lifestyle" certainly fit mine.
jsmcallister
Since it looks like InstaCart people are posting ITT, what are your plans to spread this business model into other cities. Is it viable in a place like Atlanta, GA where residential areas are less-concentrated?
6thSigma
Coming to Texas anytime soon?
reaclmbs
Instacart is a useful case study. Even though I do not like the product, and have had a few bad experiences, it solves a pain and I'll keep using it.
evertonfuller
Best of luck with this, I just don't see how it can scale successfully. And what did you need those millions in funding for? To pay the delivery wages which you can never make back?