Ocado sets sights on global retail tech expansion as exclusivity deals expire

Ocado is preparing to ramp up global sales of its retail technology as exclusivity agreements with most of its international grocery partners draw to a close.

The London-listed company, known for its automation systems that help retailers pick and dispatch online grocery orders from large robotic warehouses, said earlier this year that mutual exclusivity contracts in most active markets will expire by year-end. These include arrangements in the United States with major retailer Kroger.

With those agreements ending, Ocado said it can now take its “proven and significantly evolved” technology back to the wider market. The group plans to restart commercial efforts and offer its solutions to new retail partners across several of the world’s largest grocery markets.

Chief executive Tim Steiner said Ocado will continue supporting existing partners while reintroducing its full suite of AI-driven and robotic technologies to multiple regions. He noted that since the company launched its first international fulfilment centres five years ago, its solutions have advanced considerably and now cater to retailers at different stages of their online growth.

“As we head into 2026, Ocado is well positioned to help more retailers win market share in what remains the fastest-growing channel in grocery,” Steiner said.

Despite the strategic update, Ocado shares slipped 2% in morning trading on Tuesday.

The company operates its own online grocery business in partnership with Marks & Spencer, but has been facing recent challenges related to the cancellation of its plans to build a new automated warehouse powered by Ocado, and the closure of three existing Kroger-operated warehouse locations. Ocado is now negotiating with Kroger regarding a compensation payment in the amount of $350 million (£259 million).

Ocado recently reported an impressive turnaround in its financial results over the last six months through June 1. For the six-month period ended June 1, Ocado reported a pre-tax profit of £611.8 million as opposed to a loss of £153.3 million for the same period last year. This increase was primarily driven by a revaluation of Ocado's investment in its online grocery retailer partnerships with Kroger and Marks & Spencer, the latter of which has grown dramatically over the past several months due to the overwhelming increase in grocery sales through Ocado Retail.