Robot army is helping Ocado march into profit: How 'food geek' boss Hannah Gibson is mending M&S tie-up
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The sight of an Ocado purple van delivering orders is a sure sign of a smart neighbourhood. The online grocer, established in January 2000, knows what its affluent middle-class customers like to eat when choosing healthy options – and when they are treating themselves.
![[Competition: Ocado Retail is vying with Sainsbury's and Tesco, appealing to customers with attractive prices, improved ranges and some quirky additions like chocolate wine]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/21/93931445-14268269-image-a-12_1736457050398.jpg)
But Ocado Retail’s other key relationship, with Marks & Spencerm, has not always been so happy. The joint venture between the High Street giant and the supermarket arm of the tech group, a deal struck in September 2020, should have been a match made in heaven.
Instead, M&S was for some time vocal in its criticism of Ocado’s failure to exploit knowledge of its clientele. Archie Norman, M&S chairman, declared himself to be ‘not happy’ at the 2023 annual meeting. Delivering the goods: Ocado Retail boss Hannah Gibson (pictured) says the attention surrounding the comeback at their partner M&S, is aiding their own revival.
But, as Ocado prepares to celebrate its 25th birthday, the discord is ending, says Hannah Gibson, the chief executive of Ocado Retail. Attention surrounding the recent comeback of M&S, based on clothing and food, is aiding the revival of Ocado Retail. As WE tour its Luton hub, Gibson, 41, says Ocado Retail recently hit a record 500,000 orders per week. The trading statement due next Tuesday may reveal that this total grew before Christmas.
