4 minute read
How retail cleaning reflects the store brand
Online shopping is expected to continue to grow, even as the pandemic becomes endemic and life returns to relative normality. In fact, research reported by Shopify and Oberlo found that one-third of global consumers shop digitally today, representing a 3.1 percent year-over-year increase from 2022.
Cleanliness is key for retail store customers
So, what can retailers do to drive more consumers into brick and mortar stores? How can they drive more brand loyalty? One critical focus is retail cleaning. Your store’s aesthetics and appearance help consumers experience your brand. Entryways, aisles, checkout areas and washrooms demonstrate your brand story from the time a customer visits your store to the moment they
• 88% of customers are concerned for their safety in a dirty environment leave. The overall cleanliness and appearance of your store, especially high traffic areas that can get dirty fast, can make or break your store’s appearance and reputation.
• 74% of customers are willing to overlook customer service if the business is noticeably clean With intense competition to bind loyal customers to your brand and attract new customers, retailers need to tell a positive brand story by consistently maintaining a high level of clean.
Even prior to the pandemic that ushered in elevated expectations of clean, a Proctor & Gamble Professional survey found the vast majority of customers place a high priority on the cleanliness of stores:
• 91% of customers agreed that they are more likely to have an overall negative opinion of the business if it is not clean
• 95% of customers said cleanliness can elevate a good business into a great business
AMR – the new employee
Another way to overcome challenges in retail is turning to autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to handle the more routine and repetitive jobs such as floor cleaning. AMRs work alongside humans, helping retailers solve key challenges and create a competitive advantage. In fact, analysis from ABI Research predicts that robotics adoption in retail will surge through 2030, growing nearly 40 percent annually.
Tennant AMRs are common coworkers in many retail operations today. These robotic floor scrubbers help the industry address labour challenges, clean more efficiently and maintain a high standard of clean that consumers expect. AMRs free up human employees to tackle other high-value, high-touch cleaning tasks so every area reflects a clean store brand. Tennant AMRs are offered in a variety of models and sizes from the T380AMR that can scrub floors in tight aisles and small spaces to the T16AMR industrial robotic floor-scrubber for larger retail areas and warehouses.
Tennant AMRs can be used with detergent-free cleaning methods such as the ec-H20™ Technology that transforms tap water into a safe, effective cleaning solution. This can help retailers reduce their environmental impact while saving money on cleaning chemicals and improving safety.
Moving towards the mechanised mop
Mechanised mops have become a much better mop alternative to clean in small areas. For example, the Tennant i-mop® Lite has emerged as a more efficient, productive, sanitary and ergonomic alternative to mopping. It exceeds cleaning standards and is highly manoeuvrable in tight spaces and around obstacles. It’s also lightweight, making it easier for operators to get a powerful level of clean.
Tennant also offers larger i-mop XL® and i-mop XXL® scrubbers that provide the manoeuvrability of a mop with the cleaning performance of a walk-behind floor scrubber.
Use cleanliness to elevate your brand
With the growth of online shopping cutting into in-store visits, the shopping experience is more important than ever. A dirty and unkempt store risks losing customers and potential revenue. But maintaining a clean, dry floor that is safe and attractive can be a challenge. Fortunately, Tennant can help retailers find the correct floor-cleaning process and machinery to elevate a store’s level of cleanliness. The company supplies dependable and reliable machines, innovative features, sustainable solutions, strong delivery capabilities and a national footprint for service and support.
Throughout its history, Tennant has focused on advancing the cleaning industry by aggressively pursuing new technologies and creating a culture that celebrates innovation. Today, Tennant is a global leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing solutions that help create a cleaner, safer, healthier world.
For more information about Tennant cleaning equipment, visit: www.goscorcleaning.co.za
