Ocado to Cut Up to 1,000 Jobs Amid £375M Loss and Cost Reduction Drive (OCADO.NZ: 2026-02-09)

Ocado is preparing to cut up to 1,000 jobs to reduce costs and improve cash flow, with potential reductions approved later this month. The online supermarket employs about 20,000 and reported a £375 million loss in 2024, with shares down over 40% in six months as warehouse contracts in North America dried up. Headquarters are likely to be hardest hit, pending final approval. The company, known for pioneering warehouse robotics, faces renewed pressure after Kroger and Sobeys canceled or scale back sites using its automation. Context: UK labor conditions remain严峻, with unemployment at a four-year high of 5.1% and job vacancies falling for 27 consecutive months, per the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG.