It's an image that's slowly becoming familiar in the Swiss retail landscape: a compact, white robot glides smoothly between shelves and promotional displays, leaving clean floors in its wake. From September, this scenario will become a reality in around 200 Denner stores. The Migros subsidiary is relying on the CC1 cleaning robot from the Chinese manufacturer Pudu Robotics. Following a successful test phase, the project is now being rolled out across Switzerland.
The location of deployment is clearly defined: They will only be used where space allows. However, 200 stores – that's a clear sign of confidence in the technology.
Denner emphasizes that the robots aren't intended to replace human employees. Rather, they're meant to take on repetitive tasks that consume a lot of time in everyday life, such as regularly cleaning sales areas. This leaves staff more time for what makes a difference in brick-and-mortar retail: providing advice, maintaining product ranges, and paying attention to customers.
What's striking is that communication surrounding the project has been deliberately kept transparent. Potential safety issues—such as tripping hazards—are also addressed. The company says the robots are clearly visible. The pilot phase has shown that the devices do not pose a hindrance during normal operation.
The multifunctional design is also exciting: The robots have integrated screens on which advertising can be displayed. For Denner, this not only means increased efficiency in day-to-day business, but also new opportunities for targeted customer communication directly at the point of sale. An idea that certainly still has potential.
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Denner hasn't disclosed the exact investment amount. Industry-standard prices of around CHF 20 per device suggest a total investment of over CHF 000 million. A considerable sum—but one that's being used strategically. Automated cleaning is no longer just a gimmick, but increasingly part of a modern, resilient operating model in retail.
Other companies have already taken this path – with very different experiences. While the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), for example, has discontinued its experiment with autonomous cleaning systems, Zurich Airport is successfully using the robots "Charlie" and "Zulu" to assist with surface maintenance. Denner is now among those taking the next step.
Automation in retail is progressing. Not loudly, not hastily – but steadily. And increasingly with solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing processes. Projects like this demonstrate precisely this: technology can provide support where it meaningfully relieves workloads – while simultaneously creating new freedom. For people who take care of what robots can't (yet) do.
Are jobs affected?
This question almost automatically arises when talking about robots in everyday life. Especially when they suddenly take on tasks that were previously part of everyday human work – such as cleaning retail spaces.
Denner isn't taking this concern lightly. The discounter makes it clear: The cleaning robots aren't meant to replace employees. They're meant to support them. The idea is to delegate monotonous tasks—not eliminate jobs. Using the devices frees up staff for more human-focused tasks: customer contact, personalized advice, product inspection, and shelf replenishment.
Of course, it's impossible to say in general terms how such changes will affect employment in the long term. In individual cases, this may lead to redistribution within the team – or the elimination of certain temporary positions. But this is precisely where the difference between pure automation and meaningful integration becomes apparent: When technology is used specifically where it improves processes, space is created for human strengths.
Job losses as a consequence of cleaning robotics?
No – job losses are not the consequence of the use of cleaning robots – at least not in the traditional sense. At present, there are no plans for the robots to eliminate permanent positions. Rather, it's about shifting the workload. Cleaning work is one of those tasks that is physically demanding, lacks variety, and is often required at off-peak times. Having machines take over this task can be a relief for many employees. And: The presence of a robot on site doesn't radically change everyday work, but rather gradually.
Technology rarely replaces entire people – but it does change how work is done. In many cases, even for the better. The framework is crucial: If employees are brought along, integrated, and retrained, technological change can lead to real progress – for both the company and its workforce.
Denner seems to be banking on precisely this: robots not as replacements, but as complements. An approach that benefits not only customers, but also those who spend time in the store every day. And despite all the technology, one thing remains: in the end, it's people who shape the shopping experience.
Rossmann is also investing in robotics – and in… Sebotics
A look at Lucerne shows that cleaning robots in retail have long been more than just a pilot project. More specifically, at the Emmen Center. The first Swiss branch of the German drugstore chain Rossmann opened there in the spring – and here, too, modern technology has been part of the concept from the very beginning.
A cleaning robot from [company name] takes care of things between shelves of personal care products, nutritional supplements and baby food. Sebotics At Rossmann Switzerland, the focus is on floor cleaning. Discreet yet efficient – exactly what you'd want in day-to-day operations. The store is modernly designed, with self-checkout tills and digital price tags. The use of an autonomous cleaning robot fits seamlessly into this picture.
Rossmann Switzerland is consciously focusing on a combination of customer proximity and innovation. And this isn't just an isolated case: further branches are already planned for Switzerland in 2025 – and there are strong indications that robots will also be part of the operating model there.
What's striking is that retailers are increasingly coordinating their approach to introducing such systems. What seemed like a technical add-on just a few years ago is now becoming an integral part of store infrastructure. More and more often, these are cleaning robots – like those from... Sebotics —which mark one of the first steps in this direction. They can be easily integrated into existing processes, require little training, and deliver immediately visible results.
For many retailers, this is precisely the appeal: It's not about revolutionary restructuring, but rather about targeted modernization. Targeted, pragmatic—but effective.
And examples like Denner and Rossmann impressively demonstrate that this approach works. Different formats, different target groups – but one common denominator: the conscious use of technology that supports but doesn't dominate. Efficiency without losing sight of the human element.