SEATTLE, WA - Amazon is a force to be reckoned with in the retail industry, but now the e-tailer is pushing its might in the grocery space even more. Recently, Amazon has announced it will be introducing a new program for its Whole Foods Market stores called Shop and Deliver, a new service that could rival other delivery services like Instacart.

According to Amazon’s site, Shop and Deliver is a new program where Amazon Flex delivery partners shop at Whole Foods to then deliver orders to customers. These Flex drivers would be independent contractors, much the same as other delivery service providers like Instacart or Uber.

The move may reduce the online retail giant’s reliance on employees who are eligible for medical insurance, sick pay, and other benefits, according to Bloomberg. This will cut out an intermediary in the process because the Flex drivers themselves, rather than Amazon or Whole Foods employees, will do both the shopping and delivery. Amazon has also provided a guide to help hopeful Flex drivers in the produce picking process.

As of now, interested parties are able to sign up to be an Amazon Flex driver.

How will this program fare? AndNowUKnow will keep our nose to the newswire.

Amazon Whole Foods Market