Beleaguered Ocado Group launches first customer fulfilment centre in Poland with Auchan Polska

Auchan Polska has launched a new Ocado powered customer fulfilment centre (CFC) at Wilcza Góra, near Warsaw.

It’s some much needed good news for Ocado Group, whose shares tumbled on Tuesday after US grocer Kroger said it would close three underperforming warehouses developed using the UK company’s technology.

The CFC, measuring 16,000 m2, represents the fastest ever build for an Ocado CFC of this type - it took 12 months from the first spade in the ground to completion of the site. 

It goes live with the full suite of Ocado’s latest Re:Imagined automation, including On-Grid Robotic Pick (OGRP) and Auto Frame-Load (AFL). The Wilcza Góra site is also the first international CFC to deploy the company’s latest 600 Series robots, pitched as its lightest and most efficient bot to date. 

At maturity, the CFC will enable Auchan Polska to offer a range of up to 40,000 products, with lead times across both same day and next day delivery options. 

Auchan already uses Ocado’s In-Store Fulfilment (ISF) software across its store estate. Alongside the CFC launching this week, Ocado also operates two technology development centres in Poland, in Krakow and Wroclaw.

Alexandre Saussard, President at Auchan Polska, says: "The solutions implemented in the new centre enable a high degree of automation in the order preparation process, increase the reliability and completeness of deliveries, and ensure our customers receive the highest quality service, while also offering an exceptionally wide range of products - ultimately up to 40,000 items.”

"Our goal is to fully cover the market in terms of the availability of such services – we are starting with the Warsaw agglomeration, and in subsequent stages we plan to expand the scope of deliveries to other cities in Poland."

Gregor Ulitzka, President Europe, Ocado Solutions, says: "This is a milestone moment for our partnership with Auchan Poland. With the launch of this CFC, we will introduce a new level of customer service online into the Polish grocery market, powered by Ocado's cutting-edge technology.”

“This CFC is going live with the very latest Ocado automation, including AI powered robotic picking and some of the most advanced 3D printed industrial products in the world."

 RTIH AI in Retail Awards

RTIH proudly presents the first edition of its AI in Retail Awards, sponsored by 3D Cloud and EdTech Innovation Hub.

This is now open for entries. Deadline for submissions is Friday, 5th December. It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.

Check out categories and entry forms here.

As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.

With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.

Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 29th January. This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.