<p>By: Doug Baker, Vice President, Industry Relations, Food Marketing Institute</p> <p>It&rsquo;s reported that Ocado owns the globe&rsquo;s densest wireless network. They are a traditional pure-play in online food retail, but many of their practices may seem &ndash; other worldly. </p> <p>The company is investing in machine learning, literally feeding its computers every customer email for 15 years; it is considering self-learning trucks that predict traffic patterns and road conditions; and even leveraging robotics that interface with the customer upon delivery. The food retailer is certainly looking to drive greater efficiencies with technology, but it hasn&rsquo;t lost track of its focus on the customer. </p> <p>Tim Steiner, co-founder and CEO of the UK-based retailer, attributes Ocado&rsquo;s success to understanding the online shopper, as he says, &ldquo;they like to shop with us whenever, wherever, which is what digital engagement allows us to do.&rdquo;</p> <p>In a video interview with FMI at this year&rsquo;s Grocerytalk, a program track within the ecommerce show Shoptalk, Steiner shares strategies and a vision for the future of food retail &ndash; in moving from an evolution to a revolution.</p> <center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YsV0qAwXCxQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></center> <p><em><br /> FMI presents a series of interviews on ecommerce and the digitally engaged customer. Follow the conversation via #grocerytalk. Assess your digital readiness by visiting </em><em><a href="http://www.FMI.org/DigitalShopper">www.FMI.org/DigitalShopper</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>