CINCINNATI (AP) - Kroger says the first of 20 planned automated warehouses intended to build up its home grocery delivery will be constructed in the Cincinnati area and is expected to generate about 400 jobs.
The Cincinnati-based supermarket chain and the United Kingdom-based online grocery retailer Ocado made the announcement Monday. Kroger said in the release that it's investing $55 million to build the facility, called a customer fulfillment center, in Monroe, roughly 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Cincinnati.
Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen said the facility's innovative robotics technology powered by Ocado "will accelerate our ability to provide customers with anything, anytime and anywhere."
Kroger has been expanding partnerships and online shopping options amid competition from Amazon.com Inc., which has moved into the grocery space in recent years.
