Adding glass doors to existing open-fronted refrigerated cabinets can be a cost-effective upgrade for food retailers, reducing energy use, improving food safety, and creating a more comfortable shopping environment.
Modern glass door retrofits use low-iron, anti-fog glass and good internal lighting to keep products clearly visible. Many retailers find that a tidier, enclosed cabinet draws more attention to the products inside because of its modern look, and it protects products from dust, debris, and accidental contact by shoppers.
Plus, open cabinets bleed cold air into the aisle, making the shopping environment unpleasant, especially in winter, while glass doors keep that cold air contained, improving customer comfort.
A stable internal temperature is also critical for perishable products. Doors reduce temperature fluctuations caused by warm store air, helping maintain consistent cold chain conditions and reducing spoilage and waste.
Glass Doors also keep cold air inside the cabinet where it belongs, so compressors work less and energy consumption drops, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For retailers with sustainability targets or reporting obligations, retrofits can be a straightforward win, especially as energy-efficiency standards for commercial refrigeration tighten.
Daniel Sadler, Managing Director of CoSell, said that conducting an energy review of existing refrigeration equipment, energy use, and the store environment can help identify practical opportunities to improve efficiency and performance.
“Customers love the new look, but the biggest benefit for retailers is reduced energy consumption, as the refrigeration system no longer has to work as hard to maintain cabinet temperature,” said Sadler.
“Retailers also get more stable product temperatures with reduced cold air spilling into aisles and a more comfortable shopping environment. Retrofitting our glass door system adds extra lighting and, in many cases, is a relatively simple way to extend the useful life of existing equipment while reducing operating costs and improving overall store efficiency.”
Refrigeration door retrofits deliver benefits beyond energy savings. FreshChoice Leamington owner-operator Aaron Donaldson said the store’s recent retrofit has reduced power consumption while improving lighting, product presentation, and the overall appearance of the cabinets. Customer feedback has also been positive, with the doors creating a cleaner display while helping prevent unnecessary handling of products.
In the South Island, New World Wigram’s Bradley Patton has seen similar results. The retrofit has delivered significant energy savings and eased pressure on the store’s power bill, while upgraded lighting has improved how products are showcased.
Despite being fitted to cabinets around a decade old, Patton said the new doors and lighting have given the refrigeration a slick, modern appearance, making the products stand out, and the cabinets feel new again. Importantly, the retrofit was completed with minimal disruption to trading, with both the practical installation process and improved store presentation adding to the overall result.
From cool rooms and freezer rooms to retrofitting doors on existing cabinets, or fitting remote refrigerated cabinets and plant for a local convenience store or leading supermarket, CoSell delivers end-to-end refrigeration solutions built on service, supply, and installation, available 24/7 across New Zealand.
For more information, contact CoSell here
