Retailers and facilities managers are grappling with the daunting challenge of maintaining clean, safe, and inviting environments. This situation stems from a complex blend of factors—labor shortages, increasing costs, and elevated standards for cleanliness—that together create a scenario that is extraordinarily difficult to manage. Addressing any single aspect can inadvertently worsen the others, making this a particularly stubborn challenge to overcome.

Cleaning’s triple threat: labor, cost, expectations

The cleaning industry—long blighted by high turnover rates, absences, and difficulties attracting and retaining reliable staff—has seen these issues exacerbated by COVID-19. On the one hand, the pandemic further heightened the demand for cleaning services, while on the other, it strained an already diminished labor pool.

Meanwhile, research shows that cleanliness is critical for consumers when choosing where to shop and spend their time. Retailers and facilities managers understand that neglecting cleanliness can significantly impact customer satisfaction, loyalty, and, ultimately, financial performance.

Transitioning to janitorial robots offers a distinct advantage in the struggle to maintain high cleanliness standards. They not only efficiently and cost-effectively maintain high levels of cleanliness but also address labor shortages without inflating operating costs, meaning automated mobile robots (AMRs) are demonstrating their unique ability to serve as a solution to a ‘perfect storm’ many facilities find themselves in.

The benefits of robotic scrubbers

Advances in robotics and artificial intelligence help retailers and facilities managers do more with less when it comes to cleaning, especially so with autonomous floor scrubbers.

Deploying autonomous floor scrubbers provides a wide range of benefits for retailers and facilities managers, including:

• Reallocating labor: By automating time-consuming and repetitive floor cleaning tasks, robotic scrubbers allow staff to focus on higher-value work like disinfecting high-touch surfaces, restocking, customer service, and sales-related activities. 
• Enhancing cleaning consistency and quality: Robotic scrubbers follow precise cleaning routes and can cover large areas more consistently than human operators. After deploying robotic scrubbers, cleanliness improved immediately for one grocery retailer with over 100 stores.
• Improving customer experience and loyalty: Customers notice and appreciate higher standards of cleanliness, which helps create a more positive perception of the brand and drives repeat visits.
• Rapid return on investment: Denver Public Schools uses robotic scrubbers in their facilities daily and expects its $900,000 investment to be paid off in just two years of use. Cleaning industry experts say it’s possible to recoup the investment in as few as 12 months.

Managing turnover with automation

One of janitorial robots’ biggest benefits is their ability to mitigate the impact of turnover and absenteeism in cleaning staff. With a reliable robotic solution, retailers and facilities managers can ensure floors are cleaned consistently even when employees call out or positions are unfilled.

This is a significant advantage in an industry where turnover can exceed 200% annually (meaning a company is looking to hire twice its entire workforce every year). By reducing the challenge hard-to-find labor has posed and ensuring uninterrupted cleaning performance, robotic scrubbers provide much-needed stability and risk mitigation for cleaning operations [1].

Robotic scrubbers can also make cleaning positions more attractive and rewarding for employees by eliminating repetitive, low-value tasks and enabling them to focus on higher-level responsibilities. This can boost job satisfaction and retention while allowing cleaning teams to make the most of limited labor hours.

Global Building Services exemplifies how innovative commercial cleaning companies can leverage robotic scrubbers to create a more supportive work environment and mitigate turnover in a challenging labor market. By deploying autonomous solutions to handle repetitive tasks, GBS has dramatically improved cleanliness for customers while reducing injury claims and boosting employee satisfaction. GBS has delivered reliable service, even amid labor shortages. Their success showcases the potential for robotic automation to make cleaning jobs safer and more rewarding, which is crucial for attracting and retaining employees in a high turnover industry.

Getting started with robotic scrubbers

For retailers and facilities managers considering robotic scrubbers, it’s crucial to choose a proven, reliable, and well-supported solution. Key factors to evaluate:

• Navigation and safety systems to avoid obstacles and operate smoothly alongside employees and customers
• User-friendly controls and easy deployment/mapping of cleaning routes
• Detailed reporting capabilities to track cleaning performance, coverage, and machine health
• Responsive maintenance services and customer support to maximize uptime and useful life

By investing in the right robotic scrubber solution and deployment strategy, retailers and facilities managers can overcome staffing challenges, elevate their brand image, and create more welcoming environments for customers and employees.

Contact Brain Corp today to learn how our industry-leading robotic scrubbers and world-class support can revolutionize your cleaning operations.