Ocado Group plc and AEON have announced plans to construct a third Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) in Kuki-Miyashiro, the Saitama prefecture of Japan. This expansion is part of their exclusive partnership to develop the online operations of the AEON NEXT grocery business using the Ocado Smart Platform (OSP). The new facility, set to go live in 2027, follows the successful launch of the first CFC in Honda-cho, Midori-ku, Chiba-city in July 2023, and the upcoming second CFC in Hachioji, scheduled for 2026.

The CFCs aim to offer the widest range of products available in the Japanese grocery market, with Ocado's technology enabling world-leading levels of freshness and convenience. AEON will also upgrade its live operations with the latest Ocado technologies, including On-Grid Robotic Pick (OGRP), to enhance labor productivity and reduce the cost to serve, addressing long-term challenges of labor availability in Japan.

Tim Steiner, CEO of Ocado Group, expressed excitement about the deepening partnership, stating, "Ocado is helping AEON NEXT to provide a seamless online grocery experience to customers across Tokyo. We can't wait to bring this service to even more customers in the years to come."

Ocado Group is a UK-based technology company providing end-to-end online grocery fulfillment solutions to major retailers globally. AEON NEXT Co. Ltd., a 100% AEON-owned subsidiary, was founded in 2019 to launch and run the next-generation online grocery business in Japan.