Sereact, Zalando and CEVA Logistics have introduced AI-powered robotic systems to automate fashion returns processing at fulfilment facilities in Greven, Germany, and Świebodzin, Poland, marking the first operational milestone in a wider plan to expand returns automation across Europe.
The systems use Sereact’s Cortex Physical AI platform and dual-arm robots to identify, grasp and sort returned fashion items autonomously. The technology is designed to handle the unpredictable condition of returned goods, which can arrive dishevelled or poorly packed, without requiring item-specific training or predefined stock-keeping unit (SKU) profiles.
Returns processing remains a complex challenge for fashion e-commerce operations, where variable item conditions, fluctuating volumes and manual quality checks can increase handling costs and operational pressure. By adapting to previously unseen objects, the Cortex platform aims to overcome the limitations of conventional robotic systems that rely on fixed programming and known product profiles.
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Robotics-as-a-Service model supports deployment
The systems have been introduced under a Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, allowing the technology to be deployed as part of warehouse operations. The approach is intended to reduce repetitive manual handling, improve processing consistency and limit physical strain on employees.
With robots taking on routine sorting tasks, warehouse teams can focus more on station supervision, exception management and quality control, where human judgement remains important.
Masood Choudhry, SVP Logistics at Zalando, said the collaboration reflects a shared ambition to combine technological innovation with human expertise while addressing complex challenges in fashion and lifestyle fulfilment.
Chris Walton, SVP Contract Logistics at CEVA Logistics, highlighted the operational difficulties associated with returns, including unpredictable volumes, seasonality, manual inspections and the risk of products losing value while awaiting processing. He said the RaaS deployment is designed to accelerate classification, reduce manual touchpoints and deliver more consistent quality at scale.
Strategic partnership targets wider European rollout
The live deployments represent the initial phase of a broader collaboration between the three companies to expand intelligent automation across their European logistics operations.
In July 2026, Zalando joined Sereact’s Series B funding round as a strategic investor, strengthening the relationship between the technology provider and the fashion e-commerce group.
Sereact co-founder and CEO Dr Ralf Gulde described returns as one of the most difficult manipulation challenges in fashion logistics, arguing that systems must be able to handle items they have not encountered previously to be effective in real-world returns operations.
The deployments in Germany and Poland provide an initial production application of the technology within Zalando’s logistics environment. The partners intend to build on this milestone as they pursue wider adoption of AI-driven returns handling across Europe.
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