London, January 19, 2026, 13:49 GMT — Regular session
Shares of Ocado Group (OCDO.L) dropped roughly 7% to 262 pence on Monday, slipping from an opening price of 278.6 pence. The stock, which has fluctuated between 166.0 and 397.7 pence over the last 52 weeks, was hovering near its session low as volume approached 1.4 million shares. 1
British stocks slid after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on Britain and seven other European countries if Washington isn’t allowed to buy Greenland. Trump warned of a 10% tariff starting Feb. 1, jumping to 25% from June 1 if no agreement is struck. The FTSE 250 dropped 0.9%, marking its worst day since late November, while the FTSE 100 fell 0.6% earlier in the session. 2
European shares slipped, with the STOXX 600 dropping 1%, while the euro zone’s volatility gauge hit its highest level since November. Investors are bracing for a packed week of earnings reports and the World Economic Forum in Davos. ING economists noted that “the rationale for higher tariffs is now even more political and less economic,” and Kyle Rodda, senior market analyst at Capital.com, warned that equities could come under “some downside pressure.” He also flagged that thin volumes, due to U.S. markets being closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, might amplify the moves. 3
On Friday, a regulatory filing revealed that senior managers snapped up small chunks of Ocado stock through the group’s Share Incentive Plan, an employee share scheme. CEO Tim Steiner, CFO Stephen Daintith, and two other executives each purchased 54 shares at 279.6 pence. They also received matching shares free of charge, the filing indicated. 4
Investors clinging to Ocado’s U.S.-growth story now face a $350 million one-time cash payment from Kroger, due January 2026. This follows a reset deal on Kroger’s automated warehouse network. Ocado revealed Kroger will shut down three customer fulfilment centres — those robotic warehouses that handle online orders — and scrap plans for a new site in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company also reaffirmed its goal to reach positive cash flow in fiscal 2026. Steiner noted Ocado’s tech has grown to include “Store Based Automation to support ‘pick up’ and immediacy.” 5
Ocado is primarily recognized in Britain for its online grocery operation, which it runs alongside Marks & Spencer in a joint venture. Back in 2019, M&S acquired a 50% share of the UK retail unit, paying an initial 562.5 million pounds. 6
The stock can shift fast, and Monday’s dip highlighted how macro headlines often overshadow company specifics. Should tariff threats escalate into a full-blown trade conflict, appetite for consumer and growth stocks might stay muted. If those threats ease up, the recent drop could prove temporary.
Ocado’s FY25 full-year results, set for Feb. 26, are the next major event on the calendar. Investors will be focused on cash flow figures and updates on how quickly new sites are being launched. 7
