Robotic warehouses have significantly improved the fortunes of a major online supermarket, which reported an 11.5% increase in revenues for the quarter ending 2 September.
The online supermarket has been expanding its capacity following double-digit growth in average orders per week. Major investments in its UK logistics hub and technology platform have included fully automated warehouses in Andover, Hampshire, and Erith, South-east London.
According to the CEO, the new capacity from these warehouses is crucial in meeting consumer demand and driving a shift in the grocery retail sector in the UK. The CEO expressed pride in the timely and on-budget opening of the Erith Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) this summer. At full capacity, Erith is set to become the largest automated warehouse for online grocery in the world.
The CEO highlighted that Erith processed over 20,000 customer orders just 14 weeks after opening, a milestone that took the Andover facility 15 months to achieve. Together, Andover and Erith provide new growth opportunities for the UK retail business while demonstrating the scalability and efficiency of their platform.
The investment in robotic technology, despite leading to pre-tax losses last year, is viewed as essential for future growth. The CEO noted that their unique and proprietary technology is enhancing value, quality, and convenience for British shoppers and helping partners redefine the shopping experience.
The company is on track to deliver several new Customer Fulfilment Centres for its partners in the coming years, fulfilling its goal of transforming the way the world shops.
The advancements in robotic warehouses are set to continue revolutionising the grocery retail industry, driving growth and enhancing consumer experiences.