DoorDash Reportedly in Advanced Talks to Buy Instacart at $17 Billion Valuation
DoorDash was reportedly in advanced talks to buy Instacart at a roughly $17 billion valuation, seeking to keep pace with retail rivals Walmart and Amazon.
Summary
MarketWatch reported on October 26, 2026, citing The Wall Street Journal, that DoorDash (DASH) was in advanced talks to acquire Instacart (CART). The potential transaction would value Instacart at roughly $17 billion, but the available feed summary did not report a definitive agreement.
MarketWatch’s headline said analysts viewed the possible combination as an effort to keep pace with Walmart (WMT) and Amazon (AMZN). The source provided limited detail and disclosed no proposed consideration, financing, transaction structure, approval requirements, closing timetable or current status beyond the reported talks.
Positives
- Advanced talks indicate discussions had progressed beyond an initial approach, according to The Wall Street Journal report.
- The roughly $17 billion valuation provides investors with a concrete reported benchmark for Instacart.
- Analysts linked the possible combination to DoorDash’s effort to compete more effectively with Walmart and Amazon.
Risks & concerns
- No definitive acquisition agreement was reported in the available feed summary.
- The report said DoorDash was in talks, leaving the negotiations’ current status unclear.
- No consideration mix, financing plan, approval requirements or closing timetable was disclosed.
- Analysts’ focus on keeping pace with Walmart and Amazon points to substantial competitive pressure.
- The roughly $17 billion figure was a valuation estimate, not a disclosed final purchase price.
