Oskar Jakobsson returns to the customer side as he departs Ombori to join grocery retailer ICA Gruppen

Oskar Jakobsson is leaving store digitalisation platform firm, Ombori, where he served as Chief Product Officer, to take on the role of Director of Customer Solutions at ICA Gruppen.

He will start the new job next week.

Jakobsson told RTIH: “I’m excited to return to the customer side and drive long-term change. ICA is a fantastic grocery chain, and the shopping experience in their stores is among the best I’ve seen in the world.”

In a LinkedIn post, meanwhile, he added: “After an incredible journey, I’m happy to announce that this week marks my final one at Ombori. I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences gained.”

He added: “In my role, I've had the pleasure of working with almost all our customers and partners from Australia, India, the Middle East, and Europe, all the way to the US. From large global retailers and partners to smaller tech startups, your support has been invaluable, thank you!”

“As one chapter closes, another begins. Next week, I embark on a new adventure, returning to the client side of the dynamic world of retail and retail tech. I’m eagerly looking forward to this and filled with excitement.”

Ocado Group

In 2021, ICA Gruppen went live with an automated warehouse in Brunna, outside Stockholm, powered by Ocado Group technology.

ICA said that it was the first retailer in Sweden to open a facility that featured an automated solution for online groceries.

“In cooperation with Ocado, a world leader in online grocery solutions, we have developed a new platform that is scalable for needs of the future,” commented Anders Svensson, CEO at ICA Sweden.

“The partnership creates conditions to improve our customer offering and the efficiency of online shopping for groceries, and over time also for other product areas.”

Tony Holmberg, Head of E-commerce at ICA Sweden, said: “We are now taking the next step in our e-commerce business and making it possible for local ICA stores to offer their customers a more personal and seamless shopping experience also online, to make every day a little easier.”

“The highly automated e-commerce warehouse has the capacity to deliver a considerably larger and attractive range, and will meet demand in the Stockholm region for many years to come.”  

The warehouse has a total area of 32,000 square metres.. An e-commerce operation in Jordbro was gradually transferred to the new facility.