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Kroger, Ocado partner up to revamp the U.S. grocery customer experience

May 24, 2018

Kroger is partnering with U.K.-based grocer Ocado Group to use its technology, the Ocado Smart Platform, in a quest to redefine its U.S.-based customer experience.

The platform provides a centralized automated model of online retailing, according to a Kroger announcement.

It's an exclusive partnership for Ocado and Kroger, which reported 2017 sales of $122 billion.

The partners are in the process of identifying three sites this year for development of new, automated warehouse facilities in the U.S., with 20 such sites established in the first three years.

"The opportunity to partner with Kroger to transform the way in which U.S .customers buy grocery represents a huge opportunity to redefine the grocery experience of Kroger's customers and create value for the stakeholders of both Kroger and Ocado," said Tim Steiner, CEO of Ocado, in the announcement.

Rodney McMullen, Kroger chairman and CEO stated in the release "we see Ocado as an innovative, exciting and transformative partnership in pursuit of our Restock Kroger vision, to serve America through food inspiration and uplift. We are actively creating a seamless digital experience for our customers."