Buyers Guide_Images_Grocery Store Fridges
BUYER’S GUIDE

Selecting the right refrigeration for your grocery store

Plug-in supermarket fridges and freezers for your business.

When the time comes to shop around for grocery store fridges, it’s vital that you get a clear idea on the most appropriate type to suit your business, your customers, and the volume of sales you want to achieve. With so many brands and so many configurations to consider, it can be very confusing to know what will be perfect for you. However, understanding the various types of supermarket fridges for sale doesn’t have to be difficult.

What makes a fridge suitable for supermarkets?

Commercial fridges are designed with specific features to withstand commercial environments. They tend to be able to store larger quantities of food and have greater cooling capacities to withstand challenges such as frequent door openings without compromising the temperature control, keeping your food’s integrity intact. In this article, we’ll explore a range of plug-in supermarket fridges and freezers including four different types: upright display fridges and freezers, multideck display fridges, commercial chest freezers, and island freezers.

 

Additionally, we’ll outline the most important considerations you should keep in mind when choosing your supermarket fridge including size, capacity, temperature requirements, visibility, accessibility, energy efficiency, warranty, maintenance, and customisation options.

 

 

Upright display fridges and freezers

Upright display fridges and freezers are an excellent choice for grocery stores and other retail environments as they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and widths. They are commonly used to store drinks, packaged meals, frozen goods, ice creams and more.

 

Applications

Uprights provide a space saving solution, great for businesses with limited floor space. By utilising the height, you can store a greater number of products, maximising the vertical height space of your store. This makes uprights great for storing a category of products together, making it easy for the customer to navigate e.g., you can store 5 different brands of frozen pizza in the one upright freezer.

 

Additionally, uprights provide an opportunity for self-service. This is made possible though thoughtful design features such as glass doors which allow easy visibility to the customer and increase the chance of impulse purchases.

 

It also considers your energy consumption. Having a glass door can reduce the amount of door openings, preserving energy. Even with frequent door openings, commercial uprights are designed with this in mind and have features such as efficient compressors to help bring down the warm temperatures inside quickly so your food remains at a safe temperature.

 

 

Split image: left is an image of the GD1000LF fridge. Right is the unit decaled in an IGA with ice inside.

 

 

Product suitability

Depending on the model, upright fridges with a temperature range between +1°C to +5°C can store both non-perishable and perishable products. Fridges with a higher temperature range are suitable to store non-perishable drinks such as canned or bottled soft drinks, juices, and beer.

 

Upright freezers offering a temperature range between -22°C and -18°C are suitable for frozen goods such as meats, seafoods, fruits and vegetables, ice creams and ready-to-eat meals.

 

 

Multideck display fridges

As the name suggests, multideck display fridges contain multiple decks to store goods. Bromic’s multideck options include the semi vertical cabinets which are great for drinks and some perishable foods. Within this category, there is also an option to select open display fridges which do not have doors, making products more easily accessible to customers. Both open and semi vertical options have great applications in supermarkets due to their large capacities and designs.

 

Applications

Semi-vertical display cabinets are often used in convenience stores and offer a substantial product display area. Often placed towards the front of the store or at the ends of aisles, they are popular for encouraging impulse purchases. The mid-height design allows for customers to easily reach for the products, compared to an upright fridge in which products at the top shelves are more challenging to reach. Additionally, the unit allows for line of sight throughout the store, creating a more spacious feel and greater visibility for store owners. Bromic’s semi-vertical multideck display fridges are available in sliding and hinged doors to suit your requirements. Coming soon in 2024.

 

Very popular in small grocers, Bromic’s open displays entice customers to grab products easily from the shelves as there’s no door obstruction. Even if they already have one hand full, the design of the open display makes it easy for customers to grab items from the fridge. Bromic’s open displays use a plug-in design, making them simple to install. Their 3M1 climate class means they are suited to store non-perishable drinks and food. With four adjustable tilt shelves and a base with built-in product stops, they are easy to set up and arrange products on display, delivering a well organised and neat presentation.

 

 

Split image: left is an image of an Bromic open display for garlo's pies. Right is Bromic's VISION 120 unit.

 

 

Product suitability

Multideck display fridges are suitable for pre-chilled drinks such as cans and bottles of soft drinks, juices, beer, and other to-go drinks. When situated in a colder ambient temperature environment, such as an air-conditioned shopping centre, they can also store perishable foods such as ready-made meals. Open displays are often used to store fresh produce. See how organic grocer Live Life uses Bromic’s open displays.

 

 

Chest freezers

Commercial chest freezers are ideal for storing bulk food items efficiently. They can freeze foods at colder temperatures, preserving them for longer. Bromic’s range of commercial chest freezers minimise freezer burn and keep food consistently at the correct temperature for optimal freshness and quality.

 

Applications

Chest freezers are fantastic to place in middle aisles which allows customers to view more of your offering as they walk through the store. Primarily used for bulk storage, there are two types of chest freezers to choose from: display and storage. A display chest freezer is ideal for supermarket front-of-house applications, enabling customers to view the products without having to open the sliding doors. At Bromic, we offer two glass door lid options: curved and flat glass both available in a range of sizes to suit various applications. The curved glass is angled making the products easy to view. These units work well as standalone freezers. Products in flat glass chest freezers are best viewed from above, commonly used in supermarket aisles back-to-back. Storage chest freezers have a stainless-steel lid and are more suitable for back of house storage.

 

 

Image of a large Bromic chest freezer in a convenience store.

 

 

Product suitability

Anything that is required to be frozen is suitable for a chest freezer. Store frozen foods such as pizzas, pies, meats, vegetables and fruits, seafood, and ice creams in your commercial chest freezer.

 

 

Island freezers

Similar to chest freezers, island freezers are designed for supermarkets with their adjustable layouts to store frozen goods. You can configure multiple island freezers together to create the layout most suitable for your store.

 

Applications

Bromic commercial island freezers emit low heat, making them suitable for retail outlets in any location. They are suitable for use in supermarkets, convenience stores, pet supply stores, bait shops, frozen food specialty outlets and petrol stations. They are also ideal for outlets that specialise in bulk frozen food products. Island freezers are low in height making them more accessible for customers to reach the products.

 

Island freezers optimise the space you have in your grocery store, convenience store or supermarket. They can be positioned against a wall or in the centre of an aisle, allowing customers to access frozen foods themselves from either side.

 

Split image: left is an image of Bromic's Irene Eco 185. Right image is the unit in use in a seafood store.

 

 

Product suitability

Similar to chest freezers, you can store frozen foods such as pizzas, pies, meats, vegetables and fruits, seafood, and ice creams in island freezers.

 

 

Deli display fridges

Commercial deli display fridges are an essential item for businesses seeking effective presentation, storage, selection, safety, and service of chilled foods. Built to be robust, reliable, and long-lasting, our fridges are engineered to the highest standards, with advanced refrigeration and food safety features.

 

Applications

Delis are ideal for a service offering where an employee interacts with the customer. Delis are commonly used in delicatessens, butchers, seafood stores, specialty grocery stores and other food retail outlets where the tempting presentation of foods makes a meaningful difference in sales. The glass provides excellent visibility and visual appeal for customers. Meanwhile, the products are protected from touch and excessive handling, maintaining high food hygiene standards. The built-in workbench is fantastic for custom requirements such as slicing or food that is sold by weight.

 

Offering straightforward cleaning and maintenance, ease of mobility and a choice of curved or square glass, our deli display fridges are user-friendly units that make a positive impact instore.

 

 

An image of two Bromic deli display fridges, one curved, one square.

 

 

Product suitability

Commercial deli fridges are designed to display meat, cheese, dairy, and some perishable meals such as ready-made sandwiches and paninis. Whether you offer fresh and cured meats, gourmet cheeses, ocean-fresh seafood or European antipasto delicacies, a Bromic deli display fridge will do your range justice, presenting your products in the best way possible.

Key considerations when purchasing grocery store fridges

 

 

Size and capacity

  • Space considerations – Evaluate the available floor space in your premises and select a fridge that fits its position comfortably without causing crowding. Ensure the door can be opened and closed with ease.
  • Ventilation – Ensure sufficient space is available at the back of the unit for ventilation. We recommend at least 150mm. With adequate airflow, the unit’s refrigeration system will not be overworked and will last longer.
  • Fridge type – Consider the type of cold storage requirements necessary. If you need bulk storage and have ample floor space, a chest freezer may be the most appropriate type. If you’re only storing drinks in the fridge, you may opt for a semi-vertical or upright fridge and choose a suitably sized fridge within this category. If you do not have space for storage at the back of your premises, you may need a larger unit on the floor to store all your products.

 

 

Temperature control

Will you be storing non-perishable, perishable, or frozen items? Perishable items will need to be stored safely in an M1 fridge at +1°C to +5°C, while frozen goods must be stored in L1 units that keep temperatures between -22°C and -18°C.

 

All Bromic fridges have been tested to the highest Australian standards so when used properly, your stock will be kept perfectly chilled at their most appetising best.

M Pack TemperatureCabinet TypeTemperature RangeSuitability
M1Fridge -1°C to +5°CPerishables
M2 Fridge -1°C to +7°C Non-perishables
H1 Fridge +1°C to +10°C Non-perishables
L1 Freezer-15°C -18°C Perishables
L2Freezer-12°C -18°C Non-perishables

Visibility and accessibility

  • Glass door fridges – These encourage impulse purchases as customers can easily view the products. Also, the visibility means the door will be opened fewer times, allowing it to maintain its temperature more effectively. Glass doors are also helpful for staff when counting stock and restocking.
  • Accessibility – Encourage self-service with units that have easy accessibility including open displays, semi verticals, island freezers and uprights. The accessibility factor makes them a good choice because it can reduce the level of staff involvement required for customers in your store and enhance the customer’s experience. Be sure to consider the height of the fridge as fridges that are too tall can be cumbersome for people to reach the top shelves. Castors allow the wheels of the fridge to move 360° as opposed to only in one direction. This will give you the ability and flexibility to easily position and move the unit.
  • Low E-glass – Particular Bromic display fridges incorporate glass heating technology called low E-glass that is invisible to the naked eye. It produces condensation-free viewing from all angles, without unsightly heating wires blocking the view. If product visibility is very important, choosing a fridge or freezer with low E-glass on the door is a great choice. Check out our GM0690 or GM1100 range which features Low-E glass.

 

 

Image of 4 Bromic GM1100 fridges with their skus underneath.

 

 

Customisation options and design considerations

We understand that you may want your refrigeration units to go beyond outstanding functionality and that for some businesses, branding is essential. You can select a design that aligns with your business’s branding and enhances the aesthetics and ambience. Some Bromic refrigeration units offer the option to decal the exterior so you can customise the appearance to suit your branding.

 

 

An image of Bromic chest freezers with Central Seafood decaling in a grocery store.

 

 

Many supermarkets who require multi fridges will choose to purchase units from the same brand and range to achieve a cohesive look.

 

 

An image of six Bromic UF1000LF upright display freezers in Live Life organic grocery store.

 

 

Cleaning and maintenance

Choose a supermarket fridge that is easy to clean and maintain, as hygiene is crucial to running a successful supermarket business. Factors that make fridges easy to clean include removable shelves and trays for easy access to difficult spots, stainless steel surfaces and castor wheels which allow the fridge to be easily moved to access all the sides and back of the fridge.

 

Energy efficiency

Energy-efficient drinks fridges can lower your environmental impact and reduce your energy costs. Check for energy-saving features such as self-closing doors, double-glazed glass with Low-E glass + Argon gas, low energy consumption, a high GEMS star rating and environmentally friendly refrigerant type. You can learn more about what makes a fridge energy efficient here.

 

A quick breakdown of GEMS

The GEMS star rating is a handy tool to check how energy-efficient an appliance is. If you can’t find the unit on GEMs database, its likely it hasn’t met minimal requirements for compliance. Non-compliant refrigeration equipment might not meet energy-efficiency standards, leading to higher energy consumption and increased operating costs for the business.

 

Warranty

Before you decide on what refrigeration unit to purchase, always explore what warranty coverage and after-sales support are offered.

 

Bromic’s Extra Care warranty is much more than a standard warranty. It provides additional peace of mind when you purchase any Bromic refrigeration product and acts as a one-stop support service from Bromic experts. In fact, most issues can be resolved in a single call. Where additional support is needed, a technician can be onsite within 4 hours*. Our nationwide coverage means help is never too far away when you need it. Best of all, Bromic Extra Care is provided at no extra charge. It’s simply a part of your Bromic purchase. Simply log a warranty service request on our website.