On Tuesday June 8th, the Kroger Company opened the Groveland, FL. Fulfillment Center equipped with Ocado technology.  This is automated facility is the second to commence operation following the April inauguration of the Monroe, OH. Center.  Kroger has committed to eight additional customer fulfillment centers ranging in area from 135,000 to 375,000 square feet, six of which are scheduled to open in 2022. 

The Groveland operation is 375,000 square feet in area and is capable of filling thousands of orders each day.  Large customer fulfillment centers will serve as hubs for satellite locations. Two units from which local deliveries will be made will open this month in Jacksonville and Tampa, FL. Respectively. The Groveland Center will service satellites up to 90 miles from the hub location. 

Each customer fulfillment center is equipped with numerous robotic hoppers on tracks that are filled with specific orders that are sorted prior to delivery to ensure that fragile items are suitably placed in bags that are evenly weighted.  Kroger delivery vans store up to twenty orders and their delivery runs are optimized using similar algorithms to those used by FedEx and UPS.

In commenting on the initiation of the Groveland operation, Gabriel Arrega, Chief Supply Chain Office for Kroger stated, “Our delivery network combines the efficiency of technology with the experience of our associates to deliver fresh, affordable food and a consistent and rewarding customer experience.”  He added, “We are proud to launch Kroger delivery in Florida, a new geography for our company and a milestone moment in our history to build on our success as one of America’s leading retailers and e-commerce companies.”