Innovation in retail: Ülemiste Centre’s smart cleaning solution cuts costs by 15%

Two years ago, Ülemiste Centre and Stell Eesti AS became the first in the Baltics to implement the data-driven Tork Vision Clean solution. This innovation has made the centre’s cleaning service more cost-efficient and targeted. The system collects real-time data on visitor flows and supply refill levels, helping to reduce labour and material costs while improving service quality.

Tiia Nõmm, Head of Marketing and Responsible Business at Ülemiste Centre, acknowledged that while the previous cleaning model was effective, there was still a need to improve efficiency. “Previously, cleaning staff followed a fixed schedule, but now they respond to actual needs. This means there is no longer a need to check every dispenser individually just in case,” she explained, adding that thanks to this solution, the shopping and entertainment centre has reduced cleaning service hours by 15% – equivalent to approximately 100 hours per month, which can now be allocated to other cleaning activities.

Piret Veski, Marketing and Communications Specialist at Stell Eesti AS, highlighted that the system relies on sensor-equipped dispensers that measure both visiting frequency and hygiene product refill levels. “For instance, if certain restrooms experience exceptionally high traffic during peak hours, the system alerts staff in advance, allowing them to respond before the situation becomes inconvenient for visitors. This is not just about work optimisation – it’s about enhancing the entire visitor experience,” Veski explained.

Nõmm pointed out that with the centre’s restrooms visited nearly 800,000 times in six months and up to 6,000 visitors per day during peak hours, cleaning efficiency is crucial for both service quality and budget management. “The Tork Vision Clean solution has helped us significantly reduce cleaning-related costs. Our annual soap savings amount to 74 litres, which equals 185,000 doses, while savings on hand and toilet paper reach 26,000 metres and 75,000 metres, respectively. Based on Ülemiste Centre’s average dispenser usage statistics, this amount is sufficient to serve over 100,000 customers,” she added.

According to Piret Veski, digital solutions like these provide a competitive edge in the market: “Data-driven systems such as the Tork Vision Clean solution allow businesses to track consumption patterns and automatically respond to changing demands, ensuring more efficient service delivery.”