Tesco and Denner deploy autonomous cleaning fleets

Retailers are accelerating the automation of routine store maintenance, with Tesco launching autonomous cleaning robots across 600 UK Express locations while Swiss chain Denner initiates a rollout of 200 PUDU CC1 units. These deployments aim to shift staff focus from manual labor to customer service and store operations.

Tesco’s partnership with ICE introduces co-bots designed to navigate convenience stores and maintain consistent floor hygiene. According to ICE CEO Mark Bresnihan, the collaboration provides the machines alongside necessary training and data reporting to ensure the tech functions alongside store teams rather than replacing them. The project marks one of the largest deployments of its kind within the British convenience sector.

In Switzerland, Denner is integrating 200 PUDU CC1 4-in-1 robots as part of a broader modernization strategy led by CEO Torsten Friedrich. Pudu Robotics CEO Felix Zhang noted that the decision followed a successful pilot program, highlighting a specific need to manage cleaning demands as the retailer expands its fresh produce offerings. Both initiatives reflect a growing trend of retailers adopting robotics to tackle persistent hygiene standards while alleviating the daily burden on store employees.