May 06, 2025
Note: This success story is based on a translation of a news article by ELVI, which can be found here.
ELVI, a leading national grocery retail chain in Latvia, has taken a significant step toward operational efficiency and sustainability by investing in advanced cleaning technologies. In the first months of 2025, the company allocated €80,000 toward the acquisition of Phantas, an autonomous cleaning solution by Gausium, to assist store staff in daily cleaning tasks. Six of ELVI’s largest stores have already been equipped with the new technology, with an estimated additional investment of at least €150,000 planned for the remainder of the year.
Maintaining high hygiene standards across large retail spaces while managing labor efficiency remains a key challenge in the retail sector. ELVI sought a solution that would not only optimize cleaning operations but also align with its commitment to sustainability and customer experience.
To address these challenges, ELVI partnered with SIA “Viss visapkārt tīrs” (VVT) to deploy Gausium Phantas, a compact and intelligent cleaning robot designed for dynamic retail environments. Phantas was selected for its ability to perform both dry and wet cleaning, adapt to changing layouts, and operate autonomously in narrow aisles and customer traffic zones.
According to Laila Vārtukapteine, Board Member of SIA “ELVI Latvija”:
“Continuing our investment in sustainable solutions, ELVI has started equipping its stores with modern cleaning robots—Gausium Phantas. These robots significantly ease daily tasks for our staff by automating the cleaning process, allowing employees to focus on more important responsibilities.”
Image: Gausium’s Phantas at the ELVI store (cr: ELVI)
Beyond operational efficiency, the presence of Gausium Phantas has brought a surprising emotional uplift to the retail environment.
Rather than being just another machine, Phantas becomes a part of the in-store atmosphere. Its gentle movement through aisles draws curiosity and smiles, transforming routine cleaning into an engaging experience. This unexpected charm adds a human touch to automation, reinforcing ELVI’s customer-first values and enhancing the brand’s in-store appeal.
Laila comments:
“Since these cleaning devices are equipped with artificial intelligence and feature a stylized pair of friendly eyes on the display during operation, we’ve noticed that the robots’ presence in the store also appeals to our customers. Children especially enjoy seeing the robots, but even adult shoppers are often seen smiling at the small machines navigating the aisles. These devices not only help maintain the highest hygiene standards but also create a pleasant emotional experience, boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.”
By making cleanliness both visible and emotionally resonant, ELVI has succeeded in not only keeping stores spotless but also winning hearts—one robotic pass at a time.
At the heart of ELVI’s successful implementation of robotic cleaning is a strong partnership with facility service provider SIA “Viss visapkārt tīrs” (VVT). This collaboration brought not only advanced technology into stores but also valuable expertise in identifying solutions tailored to the needs of high-traffic retail environments.
VVT played a critical role in ensuring that the selected solution—Gausium Phantas—could deliver both performance and adaptability. With its compact footprint and agile movement, Phantas proved ideal for navigating between densely packed shelves and maintaining uninterrupted customer flow. The result is a retail space that remains clean, welcoming, and efficiently managed—without compromising shopper convenience.
Elza Gučika, Business Development Manager at VVT, shared her perspective on the collaboration:
“SIA ‘Viss visapkārt tīrs’ is proud to collaborate with ELVI in developing modern, sustainable, and efficient cleaning solutions for everyday operations. We believe the Gausium Phantas robot provides significant support in daily store routines. Its compact design and high maneuverability allow it to operate effectively in narrow, hard-to-reach areas—particularly valuable in retail environments where easy shelf access and smooth customer flow are essential. We’re delighted to be a key partner for ELVI in implementing advanced cleaning solutions.”
This initiative is another step toward a more sustainable future for the ELVI brand. The Gausium Phantas robots consume minimal water and cleaning agents, reducing the environmental impact of cleaning operations. Additionally, they feature advanced energy management systems and operate with significantly reduced electricity consumption.
Operator of a grocery franchise chain in Latvia. The company engages in the maintenance of the brand, franchise management and provides marketing support, unified procurement, IT support and other assistance to stores that offer a wide range of foreign brands and products of Latvian companies and regional products. https://www.elvi.lv
Viss visapkart tirs Ltd (abbreviation VVT) is a supplier of professional hygienic products, space cleaning products and accessories to businesses in Latvia and Lithuania. The company was founded in 1998 with a clear objective in mind: to help businesses to devote more time to their main operations while leaving the choice of cleaning products and solutions to the experts in the field. Over the years, VVT has earned high praise from clients thanks to attentive selection of products, an excellent warranty and post-warranty service and result-oriented partnerships. https://www.vvt.lv/en/
Gausium is a leading company of AI-powered autonomous cleaning solutions with more than 4,000 customers in more than 70 countries and regions. Products and services of Gausium include commercial floor cleaning robots, docking stations, cloud platform and application software, and more in the pipeline. Driven by a vision to lead the intelligent digital transformation of the cleaning and service industry, Gausium offers the world’s most comprehensive portfolio of commercial cleaning robots, empowering individuals to work smarter and lead more fulfilling lives.
Step 1/2
Please select the type of business you’d like to have with Gausium.
Choose one item from the list
Step 2/2
Thanks for sharing your preference. Please fill out the form below, and we’ll get in touch shortly.
By clicking “Submit”, I authorize Gausium to contact me. Privacy Policy.
Thank you for filling out the form
