GROVELAND, FL - Growth is the name of the game, and The Kroger Co. is playing to win. The retailer has teamed up with online grocery retailer Ocado to power its slew of new Customer Fulfillment Centers (CFC). The second and most recent CFC is planned for Groveland, Lake County, Florida, and is just part of the company’s growth plan.
"Kroger is incredibly excited to construct one of our industry-leading Customer Fulfillment Centers in Groveland, Florida—a city west of Orlando—through our relationship with Ocado," said Alex Tosolini, Kroger's Senior Vice President of New Business Development, in a press release. "Through our strategic partnership, we are leveraging advanced robotics technology and creative solutions to redefine the customer experience across America."
Kroger has plans in the works to open 20 CFCs, all powered by Ocado, in an effort to accelerate its ability to provide customers with anything, anytime, anywhere. The CFC model is an automated warehouse facility with digital and robotic capabilities, also known as a “shed.” The model will be replicated to serve customers across the nation.
"The City of Groveland welcomes Kroger and Ocado," said Mayor Evelyn Wilson. "We see it as another component to our overall community development and it demonstrates the City's commitment to foster quality jobs and provide exceptional livability."
"Lake County, in partnership with the City of Groveland, is thrilled to welcome Kroger and Ocado to our community,” said Lake County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Leslie Campione. “This technologically advanced venture will put Lake County on the cutting edge of the e-commerce industry. Kroger will bring more than 400 high paying jobs to be fulfilled by our local and regional skilled workforce and is precisely the type of company we have been working to attract.”
The retailer announced its plans last month to build two more CFCs in Central Florida and the Mid-Atlantic. The first CFC is planned for Monroe, OH, a suburb north of Cincinnati. The new fulfillment center will occupy 375,000 square feet and will be located at U.S. Highway 27 and American Way. The CFC is scheduled to break ground this year and be up and running in 2021.
"Enterprise Florida is thrilled Kroger and Ocado have decided to locate their new customer fulfillment center in Central Florida. We look forward to your success here in the Sunshine State," said Jamal Sowell, President & CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc.
"Kroger thanks State of Florida, Groveland, and Lake County officials for their tremendous support of this project," added Tosolini. "We're eager to transform the grocery experience for Central Florida residents through innovation and ingenuity."
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