Market Chatter: Ocado Said to Drop GBP190 Million Payout Dispute with Marks and Spencer

10:56 AM EDT, 07/28/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Ocado Group (OCDO.L) is no longer pursuing a 190 million-pound-sterling payout from Marks and Spencer Group (MKS.L) in relation to their Ocado Retail joint venture dispute, The Times reported Tuesday, citing unnamed sources. Both parties agreed to settle the issue without any final payment from the British retailer, according to the sources. In February 2019, Marks and Spencer paid the online grocery technology group 562.5 million pounds for a 50% stake in the joint venture, with an additional target-contingent payment of up to 187.5 million pounds plus interest, deferred for five years. A spokesperson for Marks and Spencer told MT Newswires that the company has a "good relationship" with Ocado. "As you would expect, we are in regular discussion, working together to realise the full potential of our partnership. These discussions are positive," it added. Ocado, meanwhile, noted the joint venture's profitable performance, saying, "We expect to build further on this momentum in the coming months by expanding order capacity for customers while maintaining strong growth. Together with our joint venture partners at M&S, we remain focused on realising the significant potential of the Ocado Retail business." (Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)