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Ocado Group PLC on Tuesday said exclusivity arrangements in the majority of markets where its technology is live have ended, with new commercial activity expected as a result. The Hatfield, England-based online grocery retailer said the end of the mutual exclusivity period includes the US with Kroger Co, which it partnered with to operate customer fulfilment centres, or CFCs, where automated robots sort orders. Ocado had said in its financial 2025 results that it expected to phase out of its mutual exclusivity period by the end of the year in the ‘majority of markets’. The company said this allows it to bring back to the market its ‘proven and much evolved’ technology offering. Looking ahead, Ocado said it will continue to work with its grocery retail partners and expects to start ‘new commercial activity in multiple international grocery markets.’ Chief Executive Tim Steiner said: ‘Today, our fulfilment solutions span store-based automation, AI-powered manual fulfilment in stores and dark stores, and automated CFCs of all sizes, ranging from micro-fulfillment to larger facilities. ‘Together, they enable our partners to deliver a world-leading customer experience, including delivery options from immediacy to same-day, next day, and click-and-collect. As we enter 2026, Ocado is well positioned to help more retailers capture market share in the world’s fastest-growing grocery channel.’ Shares in Ocado fell 1.4% to 236.50 pence on Tuesday morning in London. Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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