J&H Oil, which operates convenience stores under the J&H Family Stores brand, has deployed robots to scrub the floors, freeing up the task from its retail associates, the companies said.
The Wyoming, Michigan-based company has joined forces with ICE Cobotics with the addition of Cobi 18 units across six of its stores, according to the technology company. The Cobi 18 cleans 5,000 to 7,000 square feet per hour and is battery operated.
- J&H Oil is No. 120 in CSP's 2023 Top 202 ranking of convenience-store chains by size.
With staffing shortages continuing for retailers, the autonomous technology has been a game changer, J&H Family Stores said.
"Partnering with ICE Cobotics to bring autonomous cleaning into our stores has been a huge success," said Loren Hoppen, chief operating officer of J&H Family Stores.
Having the Cobi machine in the stores also frees up store associates, allowing “team members to spend more time with customers and improve customer experience,” Hoppen said.
The J&H Family Stores location in Coopersville, Michigan, is using more than 10 robots to keep the floors clean. Maintenance worker Zachary Thorne said the Cobi 18 robot, nicknamed WALL-E, has sensors to navigate aisles and avoid hitting products and customers as it cleans.
Cobi is available through an all-inclusive subscription, which includes service, parts, consumables and technology updates at no additional fee.
“J&H has seamlessly integrated Cobi into their stores and is seeing immediate benefits as they enhance staff satisfaction, alleviate mundane tasks and prioritize customer service,” said Mike DeBoer, president of ICE Cobotics.
ICE Cobotics autonomous technology is also in use at other convenience-store retailers, including Kum & Go.
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