UK | Waitrose has continued to invest in new refrigeration technology designed to help improve the availability of chilled products for customers during periods of extreme heat.
As UK summers become hotter and more frequent heatwaves put increasing pressure on retailers, Waitrose has accelerated investment in its refrigeration systems to make stores more resilient while improving energy efficiency.
As part of its GBP one billion investment programme, Waitrose has been modernising refrigeration across its estate. More than 100 Waitrose branches, including recently refurbished shops in Newbury, Bloomsbury, Barnet and Menai Bridge, feature the latest generation of cooling technology with the installation of new fridges that can withstand Mediterranean-level heat.
The recent heatwaves provided the latest real-world test of those systems as Waitrose found its newest refrigeration technology proved more resilient than older equipment.
The retailer has now been developing the next generation of cooling technology, combining refrigeration with heat pumps to enable external cooling equipment to continue operating in outdoor temperatures of up to 48°C.
Waitrose has also redesigned its refrigerated cabinets to better retain cold air, helping them operate more efficiently and perform more effectively during prolonged periods of high temperatures.
"Customers rightly expect to be able to shop for fresh and chilled food whatever the weather. That’s why we’ve been investing in modernising our refrigeration systems for many years," said Tina Mitchell, Waitrose Retail Director.
"This summer shows our latest refrigeration technology is more resilient than older equipment, and we’re continuing to accelerate investment across our estate. As hotter summers become more common, we’re continuing to invest in technology to keep products at peak freshness, help our stores perform reliably and improve energy efficiency."
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