Online retail technology firm Ocado Group and supermarket chain Bon Preu have announced plans to open a new customer fulfilment centre in Parets del Vallès, Catalonia.
The automated site will serve online grocery orders across the region and marks the latest phase in the two companies’ long-standing partnership.
Bon Preu was Ocado’s first international client, having signed a deal in 2017 to develop its online grocery operation using the British firm’s fulfilment technology. The Spanish retailer went live with Ocado’s in-store fulfilment system in 2018 and has since expanded rapidly, becoming the “leading” online grocery provider in Catalonia by customer satisfaction, according to consumer group OCU.
The new centre will use Ocado’s robotic automation to process higher volumes and offer a wider range of products, while improving efficiency and order accuracy.
Gregor Ulitzka, Europe president for Ocado Solutions, said: “Today is an exciting moment as we enter a new phase with our longest-standing international partner. Our partnership with Bon Preu is an amazing example of a retailer using the full strategic toolkit that Ocado offers.
“They have already developed a market-leading online proposition in Catalonia with Ocado’s in-store fulfilment technology and will now benefit from a highly automated CFC, offering an enhanced customer proposition and a significantly lower cost-to-serve.”
Anna Font i Tanyà, commercial director at Bon Preu Group, added: “Our commitment to the online channel is strong. We are pleased with the success we’ve achieved since launching BonpreuEsclat online, which has led us to become the highest-rated online supermarket by consumers.
“We will continue improving the range, punctuality and quality of the orders in our operations, and we will do so in close partnership with Ocado.”
