Instacart acquires shelf intelligence startup Arpalus

Instacart acquired Arpalus, a computer-vision company focused on real-time grocery shelf intelligence.

The deal adds smartphone-based shelf scanning that maps on-shelf availability in real time, targeting higher online order accuracy and fewer out-of-stocks.

Arpalus said its models identify individual shelf items with more than 95% accuracy on average, designed for challenging in-store conditions.

The technology is set to scale via Instacart’s 600,000 shopper network, feeding inventory signals into its fulfillment and shopping systems.

Shelf intelligence also extends to camera-equipped Caper Carts, supporting real-time in-store inventory insights and operational efficiency.