Ocado and Lotte launch automated fulfilment centre in South Korea

Ocado Group and Lotte Shopping have launched their first automated customer fulfilment centre (CFC) in Busan, South Korea. The facility is designed to serve approximately 4 million households across the city and the wider Yeongnam region.

The site introduces several technological advancements, including Ocado’s fully automated freezer technology, which allows 'hive-and-bot' automation to operate in temperatures as low as -25°C. The centre will support South Korea’s dawn delivery model, ensuring grocery orders reach customers before 7am.

Designed to be Ocado’s most environmentally efficient facility globally, the site will utilize a fully electric vehicle fleet for daytime deliveries, energy-efficient 3D-printed bots, and multi-temperature totes. Lotte plans to install solar panels at the facility, which is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by more than 1,000 tonnes. The project is also expected to create 2,000 local jobs.