Ocado Ends Exclusivity Terms After Setbacks to Kroger Deal
Ocado Group Plc has ended exclusive arrangements tied to its automated grocery warehouse technology, a move that comes as investor pressure increases following setbacks in its partnership with Kroger Co. in the United States.
Ocado is known for automation systems used inside large grocery fulfillment warehouses. Those facilities are part of the modern supply chain that feeds stores and supports online grocery orders, which in turn shapes the flow of freight into and out of distribution networks.
By ending exclusivity terms, Ocado is changing how it makes its technology available to customers. The company’s decision follows challenges in its US relationship with Kroger, which has been a key part of Ocado’s expansion story in that market.
For trucking, the broader context is that grocery distribution depends on reliable, high-throughput warehouses. When a major automation strategy or partnership hits setbacks, it can affect how quickly and where grocery freight moves—especially around dedicated fulfillment sites that receive inbound product and ship outbound store replenishment and e-commerce loads.