PHOENIX — Kroger’s previously announced high-tech customer fulfillment center (CFC) in the Southeast region will be located in Phoenix, the company said Friday.

Kroger and Ocado’s new customer fulfillment center – an automated warehouse facility with digital and robotic capabilities, also known as a “shed”.

The new 200,000-square-foot CFC will support Kroger’s online customers across Arizona, according to the retailer, which is building the automated warehouse facility in partnership with the online retailing specialist Ocado Solutions. The CFC is expected to become operational 24 months after the site breaks ground.

Kroger said it has partnered with Ocado to accelerate its ability to provide customers with anything, anytime, anywhere.

“Kroger continues to accelerate the expansion of our national network to redefine the customer experience,” said Gabriel Arreaga, Kroger’s chief supply chain officer. “Our partnership with Ocado is and will continue to be rooted in our ability to deliver a value-added customer-centric solution that brings fresh food to customers through our seamless ecosystem.”

Ocado Solutions chief executive officer Luke Jensen said his company is working with Kroger to create “a game-changing ecosystem” to serve the retailer’s online grocery customers across the United States.

“This includes Ocado’s automated CFCs across a range of sizes, as well as software to optimize fulfillment in stores for curbside pickup,” Jensen said. “Powered by Ocado’s state-of-the-art, proprietary technologies, this site will be crucial in bringing unrivaled online grocery experiences to homes across Arizona and wider geographies.”