Ocado layoffs: British supermarket technology firm Ocado Group Plc is planning to shed up to 1,000 jobs as part of its renewed efforts to cut costs, The Sunday Times reported on Sunday, 8 February, citing people familiar with the matter.
According to the report, Ocado's proposed layoffs, amounting to nearly 5% of the company's global headcount, are still at an early stage, with no final decision yet.
"We regularly review our operations to ensure we're set up for long-term success," Ocado said in a statement quoted by the news report. "If and when decisions are made that affect our people, we are committed to communicating with them directly and ensuring they are supported throughout."
The job cuts are expected to come into effect this month, primarily affecting the company's UK-based head office. The layoffs will potentially hit the company's technology roles, as well as some back-office jobs across legal, finance and human resources teams, a person familiar with the development told the news portal.
In 2025, the company reportedly announced it would cut 500 jobs in technology and finance roles to reduce spending on research and development. Ocado had reduced its workforce by about 1,000 in the previous fiscal year, 2023-24.
Ocado results ahead
According to The Sunday Times, Ocado is set to report the company's financial results on 26 February 2026. The company also last month reiterated its goal of becoming positive in cash flow in the upcoming financial year, "underpinned by rigorous cost and capital discipline."
The company, founded in 2000, has built its business model on selling robot-operated warehouse technology to some of the world's biggest supermarkets, including Marks & Spencer.
Ocado Group Plc stock closed 0.70% higher at 231.50 GBX (Great British Pence) after Friday's trading session, compared to 229.90 GBX, according to the MarketWatch data.
According to The Sunday Times, shares of the company have plunged by nearly one-third over the last year. The company's two key North American customers announced plans to close a number of automated facilities due to concerns about costs and efficiency.
Although the company is set to receive hundreds of millions in compensation as a result of the warehouse closures, it is facing a significant blow to its ambitions to transform the global supermarket industry with advanced robots that can pack and sort groceries for delivery at rapid speeds.