Case Study: Shielding a Grocery Chain with SiShield’s SiS AM75

Overview: the problem with odor-causing bacteria in food retail

In the food retail industry it is imperative to maintain a clean, fresh smelling environment. Foul odors from food rot and other bacterial sources could indicate unsanitary conditions that lead to major outbreaks. To protect brand image and maintain customer confidence in food safety, retailers should include antimicrobial treatments during their regular cleaning routine that target odor-causing bacteria and fungus (mold and mildew). This case study examines how a major U.S. grocery chain (operating over 1,800 store locations) tackled the invisible and ever-present threat of microbes. By deploying SiShield’s SiS AM75 antimicrobial surface protectant across all crucial areas of its supermarkets, they gained peace of mind for both staff and customers. The results showcase why grocery stores should consider SiShield’s technology as a cornerstone of their cleaning regime.

A bottle of SiShield's SiS AM75 sits on the counter ready for use by the retail workers.

Challenge: invisible contaminants in grocery stores

Grocery stores provide an ideal environment for bacteria to spread. Fresh meats, unwashed produce, and high foot traffic create constant opportunities for cross-contamination. Even with diligent cleaning (think of employees wiping down counters and carts throughout the day), microbes are often too small to eliminate completely. In fact, nearly 75% of consumers are increasingly worried about exposure to bacteria in their everyday environments. Not surprisingly, cleanliness is a common factor among the top-rated supermarkets—shoppers associate a “clean” store with feelings of safety and quality. Yet the threat of germs lingers beyond what the eye can see. A University of Arizona study found 72% of sampled shopping carts had more fecal bacteria (coliforms) on them than the number found in public restrooms. This startling statistic underlines how traditional cleaning alone may not be enough to safeguard grocery environments.

For the grocery chain in this case, the stakes were painfully clear. Any hint of unsanitary conditions due to odors or molds could cause costly store closures to allow for thorough deep cleaning. The grocery retailer had experienced close calls in the past – including isolated contamination issues that nearly forced temporary store closures – and wanted to prevent any future incident before it could occur. The challenge was set: how to maintain an uncompromising level of cleanliness across thousands of store locations, beyond what regular cleaning and periodic deep sanitization could achieve.

A scanning electron micrograph shows rod-shaped bacteria (magnified over 10,000×). These invisible pathogens can easily

hitch a ride on surfaces in grocery stores, from produce bins to shopping cart handles. Once present, bacteria can multiply quickly

under the right conditions.

Solution: continuous protection with SiShield’s SiS AM75

To address this challenge, the grocery chain turned to SiShield Technologies for an advanced, long-lasting antimicrobial solution. The company implemented SiShield’s SiS AM75, a cutting-edge surface treatment that creates an invisible barrier that inhibits the growth of odor causing bacteria and fungi (mold and mildew). SiS AM75 is an EPA-registered, water-based formulation that creates a durable microbiostatic coating on surfaces. In simple terms, once applied to a surface, it forms an invisible layer that inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew 24/7. Unlike traditional disinfectants (which kill bacteria only at the time of use and evaporate quickly), SiS AM75 bonds to surfaces and will not wash off or lose effectiveness even with regular cleaning. This provided the grocery chain a way to “engineer in” constant microbial defense between normal cleaning and disinfectant cycles. When used hand-in-hand with traditional disinfectants, SiS AM75 prolongs the protection against microbes. 

Implementation: The retailer’s team worked with SiShield to roll out SiS AM75 treatment across all high-touch zones in each store. SiS AM75 can be used in conjunction with traditional sanitizers and disinfectants to maintain antimicrobial inhibition in between cleaning cycles. Application of SiS AM75 was straightforward and did not require major operational downtime for the retailer. The product was applied in all crucial areas where bacteria are known to thrive. Store staff could spray or wipe the solution on to clean surfaces after hours, allowing it to dry and bond to the treated surface. The treatment is odorless, colorless, and non-leaching. Additionally, SiShield’s formulation contains no heavy metals or harsh chemicals, relying instead on a gentle yet effective organosilane quaternary ammonium (SiQuat) compound. Once in place, the coated surfaces essentially became shielded: any microbes landing on them would be continuously inhibited between routine cleanings, greatly minimizing the chance for bacteria to survive or multiply. By mid-2024, the chain had completed treating all departments in all of its stores with SiShield’s SiS AM75. They also incorporated the bacteriostatic treatment into their standard operating procedures – for example, reapplying the coating on a scheduled basis (such as quarterly or semi-annually) to ensure continuous coverage, and including SiS AM75 treatment as part of the protocol whenever a new store opens or new equipment is installed. This systematic approach effectively created an invisible safety net over every store, working behind the scenes. SiShield’s technology allowed the retailer to move from a purely reactive stance (dependent on nightly sanitizing and occasional deep cleans) to a proactive, always-on defense. 

Results: safer stores and peace of mind

The impact of SiS AM75 was apparent almost immediately. In the 18+ months since implementation, not a single store in the chain has had to close due to an odor-induced sanitization incident – a marked change for a business that had previously seen periodic closures or extensive sanitation events whenever an issue was suspected. By being proactive, the retailer avoided the immense costs associated with recalls, medical claims, and legal actions (cost that could be in the millions). By comparison, this chain’s investment in preventive technology was a fraction of those potential costs. Equally important, the company preserved its brand reputation for quality and safety. Customers shopping at these supermarkets continued to see well-stocked, clean stores without worrying about scary outbreaks. This consistency reinforces trust – after all, consumers tend to equate a clean, safe environment with a reliable retailer. Internally, store employees and managers expressed greater confidence in daily operations, knowing an extra shield of protection was working around the clock. 

Even with routine sanitizing of surfaces like shopping cart handles, traditional cleaning can miss lingering bacteria. By contrast, the built-in antimicrobial coating of SiS AM75 keeps these high-touch surfaces continuously protected, filling the gaps between manual cleanings. This system’s approach to hygiene greatly reduces the microbial load on critical touchpoints. Overall, the introduction of SiShield’s antimicrobial technology has proven to be a game-changer for the grocery chain - one where science and innovation reinforce cleaning protocols to stop problems before they start. What’s more, these benefits were achieved without adding burdensome routines or harsh chemicals to the stores’ operations. The antimicrobial treatment works silently in the background, so customers only notice the outcome (clean, fresh-smelling stores) rather than the process. For grocery executives weighing the ROI, the case has been clear-cut: the cost of implementing SiShield’s SiS AM75 is negligible compared to the potential cost of temporarily closing the store for deep cleaning to root out the odor caused by microbes.

 In summary, this case study demonstrates why SiS AM75 is a smart investment for grocery stores and other retailers striving to uphold the highest sanitation standards. By stopping the spread of microbes, the technology helped one retailer avoid sanitation disasters and maintain the public’s trust in its brand. In an era of heightened awareness around public health and sanitation, SiShield provides grocery businesses a powerful competitive edge – the ability to confidently promise a safer, cleaner shopping experience for everyone.

Sources: The information and results above are based on the described retailer’s implementation and publicly available data on antimicrobial technologies and food safety. Supporting references include consumer research and industry studies on supermarket cleanliness, bacteria prevalence on surfaces, and the economic impact of foodborne illness: Microban® blog on supermarket antimicrobial protection, CDC and FDA reports, SiShield’s product documentation for SiS AM75, and news of food industry outbreak costs. These sources reinforce the critical need for proactive measures like SiShield in grocery environments and validate the success seen in this case.