Ocado is expanding into the US as it builds its first automated warehouse for supermarket giant Kroger.
The companies have begun work on their first US customer fulfilment centre (CFC) in Southwest Ohio, with the site set to become operational in spring 2021.
Kroger has invested a total of $55 million for the 335,000 square foot building, with Ryan Companies contracted to design and build it. It expects the site to create over 400 new jobs.
Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO, said: “Kroger is incredibly excited to reach this meaningful milestone in our Restock Kroger vision to serve America through food inspiration and uplift.
“Our partnership with Ocado will introduce transformative ecommerce, fulfillment and logistics technology in the U.S. and bring customers fresher food faster than ever before, accelerating our ability to provide anything, anytime, anywhere.”
Luke Jensen, CEO of Ocado Solutions, said: “With construction starting for Kroger’s first customer fulfillment center in the Cincinnati region, we are now well on the way to a nationwide revolution in how Kroger customers experience ecommerce.
“In a fast-developing landscape for grocery retail, Kroger’s determination to continue delivering the best experience for its customers, online as in stores, is unparalleled.”
Kroger plans to launch 20 CFCs across the US. It has already selected two other sites in central Florida and the mid-Atlantic.
