Tesco has completed the initial phase of a major automation programme that has introduced autonomous cleaning robots across 600 of its Express stores.

It partnered with industrial cleaning equipment specialist ICE to deploy the machines, in what the companies claim is the first rollout of its size within the UK convenience sector.

The robots have been designed as “co-bots”, working alongside Tesco employees rather than replacing them.

By carrying out routine floor cleaning, the machines are intended to free up store workers to spend more time serving customers and completing other shopfloor tasks.

The technology also provides stores with cleaning data and performance reports, allowing teams to track whether cleaning routines have been completed consistently. ICE is providing training, maintenance and ongoing support across all 600 locations.

Tesco hails automation milestone

Tesco stores transformation and operations development project manager Tabitha Gafencu said the first phase represented the largest deployment of its kind delivered in the UK to date.

She said the project had required collaboration between store colleagues, shift leaders, managers, ICE engineers and suppliers.

Tesco representatives also visited 32 Express stores across Scotland to mark the milestone and gather feedback from employees using the technology.

ICE chief executive Mark Bresnihan said: “Together, we are showing how data-driven automation can work hand-in-hand with retail teams to improve cleaning standards.”

The rollout builds on the companies’ existing relationship. ICE secured responsibility for supplying and servicing cleaning equipment across Tesco’s roughly 2,000 Express stores in 2024, doubling its previous footprint with the supermarket.

Tesco’s latest investment comes as major retailers increasingly turn to automation to reduce repetitive workloads, improve store standards and allow employees to focus on customer-facing responsibilities.

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