Grocery retailer Kroger has partnered with autonomous B2B logistics Gatik to introduce autonomous trucks for its delivery operations in Texas, US.

As part of a multi-year commercial collaboration, the retailer will use Gatik’s medium-duty autonomous box trucks to transport fresh products from its advanced Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) in Dallas, Texas, to multiple retail locations.

The move follows a successful pilot of the service earlier in 2023.

Gatik’s autonomous box trucks safely and consistently run multiple times per day, seven days per week across the retailer’s Dallas distribution network.

The service has improved the speed, responsiveness and frequency of Kroger’s e-commerce delivery.

Kroger logistics and engineering network strategy vice-president Ben Hamilton stated: “Kroger is committed to creating a seamless shopping experience for our customers – whether that’s through home delivery, a store pick-up or shopping in the store, and our collaboration with Gatik enables us to continue and enhance that experience.

“What has always been important to customers is that they get what they need on time. But what we have seen through this collaboration is that as important as it is to be on time, it is also really important to have good customer service.

“With Gatik’s autonomous box trucks, we are able to be quicker with our deliveries, and focus more on the customer service side of things, which ultimately leads to happier customers and repeat customers.”

Gatik has been offering autonomous middle-mile logistics for Fortune 500 customers including Walmart and Loblaw.

The partnership with Kroger in the Texas market highlights its commitment to improve the regional supply chain.

Gatik CEO and co-founder Gautam Narang stated: “Texas is at the centre of Gatik’s commercial growth strategy, so we’re very pleased to see the tangible benefits of our autonomous trucking solution realised through our partnership with Kroger.”