Floor Cleaning Robots a Natural Fit for Busy Convenience Stores

Convenience stores are a staple of American life, with an estimated one convenience store for every 2,204 people. In our largely car-dependent society, convenience stores offer an easy way for drivers to access all the things they need in one place—food, gas, restrooms, plus any little “extras” that catch the eye. But as American development continues at a rapid pace, convenience stores find themselves in fierce competition with not only other c-stores, but grocery chains and restaurants as well.

 

The need to stand out from the competition is strong within this segment, with 95% of convenience store executives emphasizing the importance of competitive differentiation in a recent industry survey. One key differentiator noted in the study is a move towards elevated ambiance and aesthetics to create a more premium shopping experience that keeps consumers coming back. And at the core of a pleasant ambiance? Clean floors.

 

One need only witness the cult following of certain chains renowned for their clean interiors to appreciate how important convenience store cleanliness is to the majority of consumers. 68% of respondents to a Cintas survey on retail cleanliness said dirty floors would sour their perception of a business. But maintaining a strict cleaning schedule can be difficult for many stores due to staffing challenges, with c-store owners listing recruiting, hiring and retention as some of their most pressing concerns. This need for clean, coupled with high volume store traffic and ongoing staffing concerns, points to an increasingly practical and obvious solution: automation.

 

While once reserved for extra-large facilities and big box stores, autonomous floor cleaning robots have come a long way since their emergence on the scene several years ago. Initially developed using retrofitted ride-on floor scrubbers, early commercial floor cleaning robots were useful, certainly, but also hampered by their large size, unwieldy maneuvering, and human-dependent operation. Integrating robots like these into the smaller footprint and complex operations of a convenience store wasn’t practical at the time. 

 

Thankfully, today’s next-generation autonomous floor cleaning robots, like the versatile CC1, are a perfect fit for the smaller and more dynamic environment of the average convenience store. Compact in size, but strong in cleaning power, the 4-in-1 CC1 can vacuum, sweep, scrub and mop, and easily cleans both hard floors and carpeted areas. Its smaller size, zero turning radius and precise edge cleaning make it capable of navigating tight spaces with ease. Advanced object avoidance technology means the CC1 is safe to use in busy environments, and won’t get in the way of daily business operations. When paired with an optional workstation, CC1 will self-charge, empty itself of refuse and dirty water, and refill with clean water, ready to keep cleaning as often as needed.

 

Larger convenience stores may also find value in the CC3, a 20-inch autonomous floor scrubbing robot. A powerhouse unit that operates in wet and dry modes for scrubbing and sweeping, its sleek design, zero turning radius, and smaller size relative to competitors allow it to be used in locations unsuitable for bulkier robots or walk-behind machines. Even still, it compromises nothing when it comes to performance, cleaning an impressive 10,000 - 15,000 square feet per hour, and designed to conduct the same self-maintenance as the CC1 with an included workstation. 

 

We’ve talked about what autonomous floor cleaning robots can do, but how do they benefit convenience stores? Simply put: they clean, all on their own—so no one else has to. Let’s drill down a bit.

 

Ever have one of those tedious tasks you dream of offloading onto someone else so you can focus on other things? Well, when floor cleaning robots are deployed in a retail setting, that’s exactly what happens. Existing employees no longer have to worry about regular floor maintenance during their busy shifts, which means they can devote valuable time and attention to offering great customer service, restocking shelves, and deep cleaning high-touch surfaces and restrooms. With round-the-clock cleaning capabilities, floor cleaning robots give store owners and staff the ability to maintain a pristine environment without the need for constant manual intervention.

 

Perceptions of cleanliness and safety have loomed large in the consumer mind since the pandemic. And perception is everything when it comes to sparking brand loyalty and repeat business. Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment that impresses customers is important in any retail setting, but particularly so in convenience stores that must balance high foot traffic with hygiene-dependent food service stations. Autonomous floor cleaning robots can play a crucial role in upholding strict hygiene standards by consistently removing dirt, bacteria, spills, and other contaminants from the floors. This technology not only enhances the overall cleanliness of the store but also reduces the risk of slips, trips, and falls for customers and staff.

 

Busy convenience store owners and managers can find themselves engaged in a constant struggle between knowing what store employees are supposed to do each shift, and what actually gets completed to standard. Checklists are helpful, but too often, first shift managers open up only to find that cleaning wasn’t completed as it should have been by the previous shift. So too, ownership might be surprised to find that strict cleaning protocols are falling through the cracks as store employees wrestle with multiple tasks throughout the day. 

 

Autonomous floor cleaning robots can ameliorate these frustrations with their in-built trackability and data reporting. The robots record not just how long they run, but precise times of operation, exact square footage and locations cleaned, water and chemical usage, etc. Through a facilities management system like Pringle NOC, the robots also alert users to potential issues, indicate if a cleaning task was not able to be completed, and more. When coupled with a custodial scheduling and task management platform like Pringle Pristine, the question of “was it cleaned or not” quickly becomes moot. 

 

The versatility of modern floor cleaning robots means that they can be customized to meet the unique needs of nearly any facility. For convenience stores, with their high foot traffic patterns and dynamic layouts, this allows store management to adjust cleaning schedules, cleaning locations, and cleaning type as often as needed with only a few quick selections on the robot’s interface. This flexibility and automated responsiveness ensures that store cleaning standards are consistently met without interfering with other staff responsibilities.

 

We’ve already mentioned that improving store ambiance and aesthetics is a key priority for convenience store owners, and for good reason. According to a recent survey, 84% of customers who stop for gas say store cleanliness is a factor for going inside for an additional purchase. And once inside, 65% of in-store shoppers report usually leaving with an item they did not initially intend to purchase. Creating and maintaining a clean and pleasant environment is instrumental in shaping the overall customer experience and subtly influencing purchasing behavior. Autonomous floor cleaning robots have the potential to greatly impact customer perception by ensuring impeccable cleanliness while also freeing up store employees to provide top-notch customer service. The robots are also a bit of a novelty in and of themselves, sparking curiosity, discussion, positive publicity, and return visits.

 

As a strong American economy fuels increasing development and cities swell into growing suburbs and exurbs, convenience stores are proliferating in step with this steady march. To win the business of choosy consumers, convenience stores must compete not only with each other, but a diverse range of retailers as well. C-store owners can gain a competitive leg up by investing in automated solutions to improve efficiency, enhance the customer experience, and, most importantly, provide impeccable cleaning around the clock.  

 

If you’re interested in learning more about how Pringle Robotics helps leading convenience store brands optimize operations, get in touch to speak with our experts!