Kroger announced on Monday that Monroe, Ohio — just outside of its hometown of Cincinnati — will be the site of the nation's first Ocado customer fulfillment center.
Kroger and Ocado — a British online grocer — announced a partnership last May, a move that should allow Kroger to boost its delivery business with nearly 20 robot-powered warehouses.
"Kroger is joining with the best partners in the world to co-innovate and leverage technology to redefine the customer experience," says Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "We are incredibly excited to partner with Ocado to transform the industry and deliver on our Restock Kroger vision to serve America through food inspiration and uplift. This Kroger shed, powered by Ocado, will accelerate our ability to provide customers with anything, anytime and anywhere."
The facility (also known as a "shed"), is subject to securing state and local incentives and will introduce innovative robotics technology, allowing for next-generation automated storage and retrieval, according to the company. The 335,000-square-foot shed will generate more than 400 new jobs. It will serve customers across America.