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No, Ocado is not Waitrose, and Ocado is not currently owned by Waitrose or the John Lewis Partnership.
Ocado and Waitrose are separate businesses that previously had a long-running commercial relationship.
Ocado sold and delivered Waitrose groceries for nearly two decades, which led many shoppers to assume that the two brands were part of the same company.
That arrangement ended on 1 September 2020. Ocado now operates its UK online supermarket through Ocado Retail, a 50:50 joint venture between Ocado Group and Marks & Spencer. Waitrose operates its own online grocery and home delivery services.
Ocado and Waitrose at a Glance:
| Question | Confirmed position |
| Is Ocado owned by Waitrose? | No |
| Are Ocado and Waitrose the same company? | No |
| When did their delivery relationship end? | 1 September 2020 |
| Who owns Waitrose? | John Lewis Partnership |
| Who owns Ocado Group? | Ocado Group plc is a separately listed company |
| Who owns Ocado Retail? | 50% Ocado Group and 50% Marks & Spencer |
| Can customers buy Waitrose products on Ocado? | Generally no |
| Which major supermarket brand does Ocado deliver? | Marks & Spencer Food |
| Does Waitrose offer home delivery? | Yes, through Waitrose.com and its app |
| Current standard Waitrose delivery price | Advertised from £2, subject to postcode and availability |
Ownership arrangements, delivery prices and service areas can change. Customers should therefore check the relevant retailer’s website before placing an order.
Why Do People Think Ocado Is Part of Waitrose?
The confusion comes from the companies’ long commercial history.
Ocado began delivering groceries in partnership with Waitrose in the early 2000s. For many years, Ocado customers could add Waitrose-branded groceries to their online baskets and have them delivered by Ocado.
From a customer’s perspective, the two brands therefore appeared closely connected:
- Ocado provided the ordering technology, warehouses and delivery operation.
- Waitrose supplied a substantial range of groceries and own-label products.
- The Waitrose name appeared prominently in Ocado’s retail proposition.
- Customers often described the service as “Waitrose delivery by Ocado”.
However, a supply and delivery agreement is not the same as a parent-and-subsidiary relationship. Ocado remained a separately managed business.
There was a historical financial connection. The John Lewis Partnership previously held a minority investment in Ocado and later transferred that interest to its pension fund.
The pension fund sold its remaining 10.4% holding in 2011. Waitrose therefore did not own Ocado outright, even during their closest period of cooperation.
A general historical overview is also available through the supplied Ocado company profile, although official company publications should be prioritised for current ownership information.
When Did Ocado Stop Working With Waitrose?
The Ocado and Waitrose commercial relationship ended on 1 September 2020.
Waitrose confirmed in February 2019 that its arrangement with Ocado would end in September 2020 under the existing contractual terms.
It also announced plans to strengthen Waitrose.com and make its own website and stores the main places to buy Waitrose-branded products.
The official John Lewis Partnership results statement later confirmed that the relationship had ended on 1 September 2020.
At the same time:
- Ocado replaced Waitrose-branded products with M&S Food lines.
- Waitrose expanded its own online ordering and delivery capacity.
- Customers who wanted Waitrose products moved to Waitrose.com.
- Ocado customers gained access to a large M&S Food range.
Ocado’s corporate history records that Ocado.com switched from Waitrose products to M&S products in 2020.
Why Did Ocado Replace Waitrose With M&S?
Ocado Group and Marks & Spencer created a new joint venture designed to combine M&S’s food range with Ocado’s online grocery infrastructure.
M&S completed the acquisition of half of Ocado Retail in August 2019. The transaction created a 50:50 partnership covering Ocado’s UK grocery retail operation, supported by the Ocado Smart Platform.
M&S products subsequently became available through Ocado.com in September 2020.
The commercial logic was straightforward:
- M&S wanted to make more of its food range available for online home delivery.
- Ocado required a major grocery partner to replace Waitrose.
- Ocado supplied the ordering, fulfilment and delivery capabilities.
- M&S supplied its food brand, product-development expertise and grocery range.
M&S describes Ocado Retail as its online grocery joint venture with Ocado Group, rather than as a delivery contractor working solely on M&S’s behalf.
Who Owns Ocado Today?
The answer depends on whether “Ocado” refers to Ocado Group or the Ocado.com supermarket.
Ocado Group plc
Ocado Group plc is a separate technology company. It develops and licenses automated warehousing, robotics, fulfilment and ecommerce technology to grocery businesses in several countries.
It is not owned by Waitrose, the John Lewis Partnership or Marks & Spencer.
Ocado Retail Limited
Ocado Retail operates the UK online supermarket available through Ocado.com.
Its ownership is:
- 50% Ocado Group plc
- 50% Marks and Spencer Group plc
The joint venture was established in 2019, before M&S products officially replaced Waitrose products on Ocado.com in September 2020.
Waitrose
Waitrose is part of the John Lewis Partnership. It is not part of Ocado Retail and does not currently own a share of the Ocado.com grocery joint venture.
Can Customers Still Buy Waitrose Products on Ocado?
Customers should not expect to find the standard Waitrose own-label range on Ocado.
Waitrose stated that, after the commercial relationship ended, Waitrose.com and Waitrose shops would become the main UK destinations for Waitrose & Partners products.
Ocado now carries:
- M&S Food products
- Ocado own-label groceries
- Major national and independent brands
- Specialist, premium and international grocery lines
There may occasionally be overlap where the same third-party manufacturer or national brand supplies several supermarkets. However, that does not mean an item is a Waitrose own-label product.
Practical Example
A shopper looking for a Waitrose No.1 ready meal would normally need to use Waitrose.com or visit a Waitrose store.
A shopper looking for an M&S ready meal for home delivery could order it through Ocado, provided delivery is available in the shopper’s postcode.
Does Waitrose Have Its Own Delivery Service?
Yes. Waitrose operates online grocery ordering and delivery through its own website and app.
Its current website advertises:
- Scheduled home delivery from £2
- Free click and collect from participating stores
- A Waitrose Delivery Pass
- Faster local delivery options through selected third-party platforms
Prices, minimum order requirements, delivery coverage and available time slots may vary by location. The official Waitrose online shop should be checked for the latest postcode-specific information.
This means customers no longer need Ocado to receive Waitrose groceries at home.
What Is the Difference Between Shopping at Ocado and Waitrose?
Both services offer online grocery ordering, but their product ranges, ownership and fulfilment systems are different.
| Shopping feature | Ocado | Waitrose |
| Main grocery partner | M&S Food | Waitrose’s own range |
| Website | Ocado.com | Waitrose.com |
| Retail ownership | Ocado Group and M&S joint venture | John Lewis Partnership |
| Waitrose own-label products | Generally unavailable | Available |
| M&S Food range | Widely available | Generally unavailable |
| Own delivery operation | Ocado fulfilment and delivery network | Waitrose delivery network |
| Physical supermarkets | Primarily an online supermarket | Nationwide physical store network |
Neither retailer will necessarily be cheaper for every basket. The final cost depends on product choices, promotions, delivery charges, substitutions and minimum-spend rules.
Final Takeaway
Ocado and Waitrose are separate companies. They worked together for nearly two decades, but their commercial relationship ended on 1 September 2020.
Today, Ocado.com is operated by Ocado Retail, a 50:50 joint venture between Ocado Group and Marks & Spencer.
Waitrose remains part of the John Lewis Partnership and manages its own online grocery orders and home deliveries.
UK shoppers looking for Waitrose own-label products should normally use Waitrose.com or visit a Waitrose store.
Those wanting M&S Food delivered as part of a wider online grocery shop can use Ocado, subject to postcode coverage and slot availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ocado owned by Waitrose?
No. Ocado is not owned by Waitrose. Ocado Retail is jointly owned by Ocado Group and M&S, while Waitrose belongs to the John Lewis Partnership.
Is Ocado the online version of Waitrose?
No. Ocado previously sold and delivered Waitrose groceries, but it was not simply Waitrose’s online division. The businesses had a commercial supply arrangement.
When did Waitrose leave Ocado?
The Waitrose and Ocado relationship ended on 1 September 2020. Ocado began offering M&S Food products as the replacement range.
Why are there no Waitrose products on Ocado?
The long-term supply arrangement ended in 2020. Waitrose shifted its focus to Waitrose.com, while Ocado entered its retail joint venture with M&S.
Is Ocado owned by Marks & Spencer?
Marks & Spencer owns 50% of Ocado Retail, which operates Ocado.com. The other 50% is owned by Ocado Group. M&S does not own the whole Ocado Group business.
Can Waitrose groceries be delivered to a home address?
Yes. Waitrose provides scheduled grocery home delivery through Waitrose.com and its app in supported areas. Delivery availability and charges depend on the customer’s postcode.
Does Ocado deliver M&S food?
Yes. Ocado is the principal online home-delivery channel for a broad range of M&S Food products.
Are Ocado and Waitrose competitors now?
In practical retail terms, they compete for online grocery customers. Ocado offers M&S, Ocado and branded products, while Waitrose operates its own online shop and delivery service.
Note: This article has been reviewed against official Ocado Group, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis Partnership information.