Ocado and M&S Dispute Escalates Over Final Joint Venture Payment

Ocado threatens legal action against M&S for a multi-million pound payment, while both companies hint at a possible negotiated settlement.

Ocado has threatened to sue Marks & Spencer over a disputed final payment for their £750m online grocery joint venture, citing failure to meet performance targets.
Despite the dispute, Ocado's CEO expresses hope for a negotiated settlement, emphasizing the strong relationship between the two companies.
Ocado's financial performance shows signs of improvement, with the online grocery business turning a profit in 2023 after a loss the previous year.
M&S has been critical of Ocado Retail's performance, but recent efforts to increase the range of M&S products available online have boosted sales.
Ocado's overall losses narrowed in 2023, aided by a significant legal settlement and growth in its technology solutions business.