Tesco Express - Reading

Bespoke CO2 refrigeration for a low-GWP future

Overview

Tesco is moving towards its ambitious 2035 climate goals, focusing on reducing energy consumption and transitioning to low-GWP technologies.

For its Express convenience stores, Tesco require a refrigeration solution that balances high performance with a significantly reduced environmental footprint while fitting seamlessly into compact shop layouts.

Pure Cold developed a range of cabinets to deliver a next-generation refrigeration solution combining a bespoke remote CO2 chiller, designed specifically for the Tesco Express format, and a high-efficiency R1270 (propane) integral freezer. Together they provided a future-ready, low-GWP refrigeration solution to support Tesco’s long-term shift to natural refrigerants.

The Challenge

Tesco Express stores faced a blend of operational and design requirements:

  • Tight retail footprints, demanding compact, efficient equipment
  • Alignment with Tesco’s 2035 sustainability goals, prioritising low-GWP refrigerants and reduced energy usage
  • Consistency across many stores, requiring a robust, scalable solution
  • A need for reduction in energy costs across its estate; we set out to develop a market leading product to fulfil their engineering requirements.

Approach

Pure Cold worked closely with Tesco to engineer a refrigeration solution tailored to their needs.

Bespoke remote chiller case

We designed a new chilled multideck featuring:

  • Optimised airflow and CO2 coil design for improved energy performance
  • Reduced energy consumption, supporting sustainability targets
  • Improved temperature stability
  • Case geometry tailored to Tesco’s requirements
  • Enhanced visibility and product access, improving the in-store shopping experience

Integral freezer

To complement the bespoke chiller, Tesco selected our R1270 integral freezer chosen for:

  • Low-GWP refrigerant use
  • Simplified installation without external pipework
  • Strong performance in compact convenience-store spaces
  • Reduced maintenance requirements with no remote pipework

Scalable collaboration and rollout

We continue to provide installation and integration support to help Tesco with their ongoing national rollout.

Results

  • Alignment with Tesco’s 2035 sustainability goals, via low-GWP CO2 and R1270 refrigerants
  • A bespoke chiller solution tailored to Tesco Express — improving energy efficiency and merchandising impact
  • Simplified installation combining the use of our integral freezer
  • A scalable refrigeration standard now rolling out across Tesco Express stores
  • Long-term cost and carbon savings, achieved through high-efficiency case engineering

This solution has been installed in numerous stores up and down the country.

This project showcases how close collaboration and bespoke engineering can deliver transformative refrigeration solutions for convenience stores – helping Tesco meet today’s performance needs whilst moving towards a lower-carbon future.