FTC settles with Instacart; pricing probe continues
The FTC reached a settlement with Instacart over alleged deceptive practices, and the company is also facing a separate investigation into its pricing. Announced Dec. 18, 2025, the actions apply nationwide and could affect Instacart users in the Twin Cities through potential policy changes, refunds, or pricing adjustments.
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📊 Relevant Data
In Minnesota, the poverty rate for Black or African American residents is 28.6%, compared to 18.6% for Hispanic residents and lower rates for White residents. ([MN Dept. of Health](https://data.web.health.state.mn.us/poverty_basic)) ([MN Dept. of Health](https://data.web.health.state.mn.us/poverty_basic)) ([MN Dept. of Health](https://data.web.health.state.mn.us/poverty_basic)) ([MN Dept. of Health](https://data.web.health.state.mn.us/poverty_basic)) ([MN Dept. of Health](https://data.web.health.state.mn.us/poverty_basic)) ([MN Dept. of Health](https://data.web.health.state.mn.us/poverty_basic)) ([MN Dept. of Health](https://data.web.health.state.mn.us/poverty_basic)) ([MN Dept. of Health](https://data.web.health.state.mn.us/poverty_basic)) ([MN Dept. of Health](https://data.web.health.state.mn.us/poverty_basic)) ([MN Dept. of Health](https://data.web.health.state.mn.us/poverty_basic))
People in Poverty in Minnesota: MNData Access — MN Dept. of Health
The Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metro area has a racial composition of 72.2% White (Non-Hispanic), 8.84% Black or African American (Non-Hispanic), 6.75% Asian (Non-Hispanic), and 6.02% Hispanic or Latino. ([Data USA](https://datausa.io/profile/geo/minneapolis-st-paul-bloomington-mn-wi)) ([Data USA](https://datausa.io/profile/geo/minneapolis-st-paul-bloomington-mn-wi)) ([Data USA](https://datausa.io/profile/geo/minneapolis-st-paul-bloomington-mn-wi)) ([Data USA](https://datausa.io/profile/geo/minneapolis-st-paul-bloomington-mn-wi)) ([Data USA](https://datausa.io/profile/geo/minneapolis-st-paul-bloomington-mn-wi)) ([Data USA](https://datausa.io/profile/geo/minneapolis-st-paul-bloomington-mn-wi)) ([Data USA](https://datausa.io/profile/geo/minneapolis-st-paul-bloomington-mn-wi)) ([Data USA](https://datausa.io/profile/geo/minneapolis-st-paul-bloomington-mn-wi)) ([Data USA](https://datausa.io/profile/geo/minneapolis-st-paul-bloomington-mn-wi)) ([Data USA](https://datausa.io/profile/geo/minneapolis-st-paul-bloomington-mn-wi))
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | Data USA — Data USA
A 2025 study found that some Instacart shoppers pay up to 23% more for identical grocery items due to AI-enabled pricing experiments, though no evidence was found of pricing based on demographic characteristics. ([Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/instacart-ai-pricing-experiment-inflating-grocery-bills-a1142182490/)) ([Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/instacart-ai-pricing-experiment-inflating-grocery-bills-a1142182490/)) ([Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/instacart-ai-pricing-experiment-inflating-grocery-bills-a1142182490/)) ([Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/instacart-ai-pricing-experiment-inflating-grocery-bills-a1142182490/)) ([Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/instacart-ai-pricing-experiment-inflating-grocery-bills-a1142182490/)) ([Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/instacart-ai-pricing-experiment-inflating-grocery-bills-a1142182490/)) ([Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/instacart-ai-pricing-experiment-inflating-grocery-bills-a1142182490/)) ([Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/instacart-ai-pricing-experiment-inflating-grocery-bills-a1142182490/)) ([Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/instacart-ai-pricing-experiment-inflating-grocery-bills-a1142182490/)) ([Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/instacart-ai-pricing-experiment-inflating-grocery-bills-a1142182490/))
Exclusive: Instacart's AI Pricing May Be Inflating Your Grocery Bill — Consumer Reports
Instacart's user base is 59.94% female and 40.06% male. ([Matrix BCG](https://matrixbcg.com/blogs/target-market/instacart)) ([Matrix BCG](https://matrixbcg.com/blogs/target-market/instacart)) ([Matrix BCG](https://matrixbcg.com/blogs/target-market/instacart)) ([Matrix BCG](https://matrixbcg.com/blogs/target-market/instacart)) ([Matrix BCG](https://matrixbcg.com/blogs/target-market/instacart)) ([Matrix BCG](https://matrixbcg.com/blogs/target-market/instacart)) ([Matrix BCG](https://matrixbcg.com/blogs/target-market/instacart)) ([Matrix BCG](https://matrixbcg.com/blogs/target-market/instacart)) ([Matrix BCG](https://matrixbcg.com/blogs/target-market/instacart)) ([Matrix BCG](https://matrixbcg.com/blogs/target-market/instacart))
What is Customer Demographics and Target Market of Instacart — Matrix BCG
📌 Key Facts
- FTC and Instacart have reached a settlement announced Dec. 18, 2025
- A separate investigation into Instacart’s pricing practices remains ongoing
- The nationwide actions impact Instacart customers in Minneapolis–Saint Paul
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