Can your brand win the digital cart? In today’s grocery game, it’s not about who owns the shelf, it’s about who wins the cart. On this episode of Brand Slam, Ryan Garvey, Senior Director and Head of Midmarket, Growth, and Non-Endemic Sales at Instacart, dives into what it takes to compete in a digital-first world where convenience, personalization and timing rule.

The grocery experience has transformed, and with it, the path to purchase. Grocery shopping has gone mobile. Every add-to-cart moment is influenced by ad placements, shopper data and personalized recommendations. For brands, that means the competition is no longer just on the aisle but inside the app.

The path to purchase? Rewritten. Every tap of “add to cart” is powered by data, driven by intent and shaped by strategic ad placements. Brands that once battled for endcaps are now fighting for screen space, and Instacart has become the field where that battle plays out. Ryan unpacks how Instacart is helping brands of all sizes break through the noise. It’s not just about showing up; it’s about showing up with relevance, at the exact moment a shopper is ready to act. Through smarter targeting, better insights and shoppable moments, the app is turning consideration into conversion.

Ryan also shares the story behind Instacart’s nostalgic Super Bowl campaign, a character-packed, joy-filled spot featuring icons like the Kool-Aid Man, the Jolly Green Giant and the Pillsbury Doughboy. The goal? Spark emotion. Drive recall. Make brands unforgettable.

As consumer habits shift and discovery becomes more dynamic, Ryan emphasizes the importance of using first-party data to guide strategy and build lasting relationships. Whether it’s a legacy name or a challenger brand, the rules are changing—and the most agile marketers are finding new ways to compete.

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