HWL Ebsworth has advised Coles Group Limited on an exclusive services agreement with Ocado Group plc to bring its leading online grocery platform, automated single pick fulfilment technology and home delivery solution to Australia before the end of the 2023 financial year.
Under the agreement, Ocado will partner with Coles in Australia to launch an end-to-end online grocery shopping solution, including:
- Significantly enhanced customer ordering and delivery experience, supported by end-to-end proprietary software applications and technology solutions known as the Ocado Smart Platform (OSP);
- Two state-of-the-art automated customer fulfilment centres (CFCs), one located in each of metropolitan Melbourne and Sydney. Ocado will be responsible for the installation of the material handling equipment in the CFCs, including maintaining the equipment; and
- Last-mile routing management technology to optimise delivery efficiency and customer service.
Coles Online has sales of $1 billion on an annualised basis and represents around 3% of Supermarket sales. Coles Online has capability to deliver to over 90% of Australian households and recently launched a national same day delivery offer for customers. Ocado has also entered into partnerships with leading global retailers including Marks & Spencer (UK), Groupe Casino (France), Sobeys (Canada), ICA (Sweden) and Kroger (USA).
The deal team was led by Jason O’Connell and Brendan Earle with assistance from Special Counsel Cam Steele and Iain McLaren.
Coles Relationship Partner Brendan Earle said: “This is a significant strategic transaction for Coles, responding to changing consumer expectations by investing in digital technology and automation for long term growth and efficiency. It has been a great pleasure supporting Coles to negotiate terms with Ocado, which is a world-class retailer and specialised technology provider.”
Note to Editors:
HWL Ebsworth is the largest legal partnership in Australia according to the most recent partnership surveys published by The Australian and the Australian Financial Review and is the only commercial law firm with an office in every Australian State and Territory.
The firm comprises 1,305 staff including: 258 Partners, 684 other legal staff and 363 support staff across offices in nine locations – Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Hobart, Norwest (North West Sydney), Perth and Sydney.
HWL Ebsworth is an independent, nationally integrated, full service commercial law firm, providing tailored and commercially oriented legal services.
HWL Ebsworth operates a different business model to the other leading national law practices, and this allows us to offer unrivalled value for money without compromising quality and service. Our low ratio of solicitors to partners ensures that our clients receive optimal access to partner resources for all matters.
For further information, please contact:
Russell Mailler, National Marketing Manager (03) 8644 3569 or rmailler@hwle.com.au