Steiner said Ocado’s technology and logistics expertise, coupled with Kroger’s “strong customer business, strong ethics and big ambition”, will help it usurp the likes of Amazon and Walmart online.

The businesses plan to build 20 robotic warehouses across the US in the next three years and have already revealed the locations of the first three sites – Monroe in Ohio, Florida and Mid-Atlantic.

Speaking at the World Retail Congress exactly a year since striking the landmark deal that propelled Ocado into the FTSE100, Steiner said: “The US’ largest supermarket was clearly the number one choice for us in the US, as well as the ambition of [Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen] and his team to win in ecommerce in the US.”