History

2000

• Ocado was founded by Tim Steiner, Jason Gissing and Jonathan Faiman as L.M. Solutions (UK) Limited in April 2000 before changing its name to Ocado Limited in June 2001.
• In October 2000, Ocado entered into its first branding and sourcing arrangements with Waitrose.

2001

• Ocado began to equip a temporary warehouse in May 2001.
• Began pilot deliveries in October 2001.

2002

• Started commercial delivery service in January 2002, operating initially in the small Hertfordshire area of St. Albans and Hemel Hempstead. Ocado's delivery area expanded rapidly, and by May 2002, Ocado began to deliver in North London. Over its first 12 months Ocado's delivery area increased from an initial 100,000 households to approximately 2,200,000 households, and gross sales rose to £440,000 per week in December 2002.
• In September 2002, Ocado opened its CFC in Hatfield, and in January 2003 it centralised all warehousing operations within it.
• Hub and spoke system adopted – Ocado's first Spoke was opened in Weybridge, Surrey in September 2002, followed by further Spokes in Aylesford, Kent in August 2003 and Rugby, Warwickshire in October 2003. These latter Spokes were subsequently replaced with Ocado's existing Spokes in Dartford and Coventry respectively. During the period 2004 to 2009, Ocado opened additional Spokes in Manchester, Southampton, Leeds and White City (London).

2003

• In September, CFC converted from 3-stage to 2-stage process.

2004

• In January, CFC converted to hybrid process.
• In April, the first conveyors were installed in Hatfield.

2005

• In May, Ocado delivery area expanded to cover over 10m households.

2006

• 50,000 orders delivered in a week for the first time in July.

2007

• Ocado became EBITDA positive in November.

2008

• In March, Tesco Price Match launched.
• In April Ocado Delivery Pass launched (as Ocado On Demand).
• In August the freshness guarantee introduced.
• Ocado Everyday launched in November 2008.

2009

• In June Ocado Reserved launched.
• Ocado on the Go iPhone application launched in July.
• Service counter (offering freshly cut meat and fish) opened in September, along with Sunday deliveries.

2010

• Winter tyres introduced to the van fleet in January.
• In February ratings added to the website.
• Android application launched in April.
• 100,000 orders delivered in a week for the first time in May.
• In May, a new 10 year deal was signed with Waitrose.
• Ocado own label relaunched in September, reached 250 skus by year end.
• EBT profitable for the final quarter.

2011

• Bristol spoke opened in March.  The Ocado delivery area expanded to over 70% of UK households.