Kroger adds customer fulfillment center in Denver metro area
Kroger is shoring up its delivery capabilities with the addition of a new customer fulfillment center in Aurora, Colo., powered by the Ocado Group, engineering a model for the region and leveraging advanced robotics technology and creative solutions to redefine the customer experience in the Denver metro area, according to the retailer.
"We are thrilled to expand and introduce our innovative Kroger Fulfillment Network to one of the fastest-growing areas in the country and have the opportunity to grow our workforce," said Gabriel Arreaga, Kroger's senior vice president and chief supply chain officer. "Through the incredible partnership and support from the City of Aurora and Adams County, Kroger Delivery can accelerate its commitment to provide exceptional customer service through our state-of-the-art facility and end-to-end cold solutions, including custom-built refrigerated vans to ensure our delivery customers receive the freshest products directly to their doorstep throughout the Denver region."
"As we continue to expand our nationwide CFC program, Kroger and Ocado Group are now live with five state-of-the-art fulfilment centers across the USA," said Luke Jensen, CEO of Ocado Solutions. "As this site ramps up, Kroger Delivery will bring a world-class online experience to homes across the Denver metro area, powered by some of the most advanced technology available anywhere in the world."
[Read more: Kroger Delivery enters South Florida]
"Adams County is excited to have this new state-of-the-art food distribution facility opening in our community," said Lynn Baca, chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners. "Not only will it showcase innovative sorting technology, it will also help provide greater access to high-quality food and fresh produce for our residents. Providing a delivery option will also benefit those in our community who may have mobility issues, or simply lack the time to go into a physical location."
The nearly 300,000-sq.-ft. distribution center will bring nearly 400 new jobs to Aurora and adjacent communities.
This expansion represents an extension of a partnership between Kroger and Ocado, a world leader in technology for grocery e-commerce. In 2018, the companies announced a collaboration to establish a delivery network that combines artificial intelligence, advanced robotics and automation in a bold new way, bringing first-of-its-kind technology to America, the company said.
[Read more: Kroger looking to fill 20K positions]
The delivery network relies on highly automated fulfillment centers. At the hub sites, more than 1,000 bots whizz around giant 3-D grids, orchestrated by proprietary air traffic control systems in the unlicensed spectrum, according to Kroger.
The grid, known as The Hive, contains totes with products and ready-to-deliver customer orders. As customers' orders near delivery times, the bots retrieve products from The Hive and are presented at pick stations for items to be sorted for delivery, a process governed by algorithms that ensures items are intelligently packed. For example, fragile items are placed on top, bags are evenly weighted and each order is optimized to fit into the lowest number of bags, reducing plastic use.
After being packed, groceries are loaded into a refrigerated delivery van, which can store up to 20 orders. Powerful machine-learning algorithms optimize delivery routes, considering factors like road conditions and optimal fuel efficiency. Drivers may travel up to 90 miles with orders from facilities to make deliveries.
Kroger currently operates customer fulfillment centers in Monroe, Ohio; Groveland, Fla.; Forest Park, Ga. (Atlanta); Dallas; and Pleasant Prairie, Wis., with additional customer fulfillment centers slated for California; Frederick, Md.; Phoenix; Romulus, Mich. (Detroit); Cleveland; and Charlotte, N.C., as well as South Florida and the Northeast.