Ocado welcomes Amazon’s swoop on Whole Foods

Online grocer Ocado has hailed Amazon’s recent swoop on US chain Whole Foods as a “positive catalyst” for its international deals as it posted lower half-year profits. The group said pre-tax profits slipped 18.1 per cent on a 26-week comparable basis to £7.7 million in the six months to 28 May as the costs of opening a new distribution centre offset a 12.5 per cent rise in revenues. Ocado, which recently struck its first international deal, said Amazon’s takeover of Whole Foods could help it secure further overseas partnerships.