// Ocado partners with Auchan Poland to help the online grocer develop its digital business using the Ocado Smart Platform
// Auchan Poland will use Ocado’s software across its locations to help staff pick items for online food and non-food orders more efficiently
Online grocer Ocado has struck a partnership with the European retailer Auchan with the duo planning a factory in Poland by 2024 to help the retailer develop its online business using the Ocado Smart Platform.
The move marks the second time that Auchan has teamed up with Ocado’s Solutions business following a partnership with its Spanish Alcampo brand just nine months ago.
Auchan is one of the world’s largest grocery chains with €32 billion revenue and operations in 13 countries.
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Ocado said its customer fulfilment centre would serve the Warsaw area, but that additional sites in the country could be opened. Auchan Poland will benefit from Ocado’s in-store fulfilment software across its hypermarkets to enable more efficient picking from stores.
The agreement will cover both Auchan’s food and non-food business.
Auchan Retail Poland chief executive Gérard Gallet said: “The development of ecommerce services is our priority direction, which we have been consistently pursuing for years, and recently especially intensively.
“The partnership agreement with Ocado Solutions is the best proof of our commitment. I am convinced that the introduction of such innovative and forward-looking solutions will be a significant step for our company on the way to achieving the leading position in the e-grocery market in Poland.”
Under the terms of the deal, the fees will be similar to those agreed with other international Ocado Solutions partners whereby Auchan Poland will pay Ocado certain fees upfront and during the development phase.
Ongoing fees will then be linked to both sales achieved and installed capacity within the CFC and service criteria.
Ocado Group chief executive Tim Steiner said: “We are pleased to bring a second Auchan business to our global platform, and to welcome Auchan Poland to the club of innovative and forward-looking retailers who are using the Ocado Smart Platform to power their online grocery business.”
The plans come as Russia’s war with Ukraine creeps ever closer to the Polish border however Gallet said it was important to look to the future.
“In the current very difficult context we are faced with, our teams are very committed to helping Ukrainian refugees with the support of NGOs like Caritas and Red Cross,” he said.
“We strongly call for peace in Ukraine. At the same time, we would like to prepare our company for the future.”
Steiner also acknowledged that the announcement “comes at a very difficult time for everyone in Poland”, including its own staff in technology development centres in Wroclaw, Krakow and elsewhere.
“The human tragedy unfolding in Ukraine, and the refugee crisis along its borders, has shocked the world,” he said.
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