Lotte Shopping breaks ground on first Ocado Group powered Customer Fulfilment Centre in Busan, South Korea

Ocado Group has broken ground at its first Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) with South Korea’s Lotte Shopping.

Situated in Busan, this is one of six CFCs planned across the country.

Ocado Group said on X: “With 30% of the CFC's operations to be powered by on-site solar panels and a 100% electric delivery fleet, the Busan CFC will also make big strides towards generating more carbon-efficient operations in online grocery.”

It added: “When it goes live in 2025, Lotte's first CFC will make amazing new online grocery experiences available to c.2.3 million households across Busan and beyond. Next stop, Seoul!”

Ocado Group announced a partnership agreement with Lotte Shopping in November of last year.

This will see the latter also use Ocado’s In-Store Fulfilment (ISF) software across its network from 2024.

Luke Jensen departs

Earlier this year, Ocado Group reported that Luke Jensen had notified it of his intention to retire and step down from the board as Executive Director and CEO at Ocado Solutions with effect from 30th September to focus on external non-executive director positions.

He had been Ocado Solutions CEO since 2017 and a member of the board since 2018.

John Martin, current Non-Executive Director at Ocado, was appointed as CEO at Ocado Solutions on 1st September, allowing a handover from Jensen.

As a result, Martin ceased to be a member of the board and stepped down as Chair of the Audit Committee and as a member of the People Committee.

Tim Steiner, Chief Executive Officer at Ocado, said: "Over the last six years, Luke has played a key role in our transformation into a global technology solutions business.”

“He leaves our Solutions business in a strong position to drive future growth, having recently established a global regional structure, with the appointments of regional presidents and the creation of a global Partner Success organisation.”

“We wish him well and thank him for his contribution to Ocado. Luke will be supporting the transition over the coming months."

Rick Haythornthwaite, Chairman at Ocado, said: "I would like to thank Luke on behalf of the Board for his valuable contribution to the company, the board and Ocado Solutions.”

“I am delighted that John Martin will step into this role to deepen further the support of our clients as well as help shape our strategic direction and performance culture.”

“John has extensive strategic, operational and financial management experience of running large international businesses. The board believes he is the right successor to Luke with the required credentials to build on a strong foundation.”

Jensen said: "I am proud and honoured to have played a part in the transformation of Ocado from a UK retail company to a global leader in technology solutions.”

“With the roll-out of its latest innovations underway, Ocado is better placed than ever to support its partners to win in their markets, and to forge new partnerships with leading grocers across the globe. I wish Ocado every success for the future."