Shopfitting company DoubleCool is targeting the convenience channel to expand its offering of retrofitted chiller doors, which it said can reduce local shops’ energy consumption by up to 50%. 

After initial work with supermarkets, DoubleCool is broadening its presence in the convenience space, having previously retrofitted doors in farm shops and university campuses. 

“If you’re operating open chillers, from aisles of doors in supermarkets to two doors in corner shops, you will benefit from retrofitting DoubleCool doors,” DoubleCool UK managing director Sharon Harrison told Better Retailing. “Retailers could save as much as 50% of the energy used by their open chillers,” Harrison added, saying retailers can check a tool on the company’s website for estimated savings. 

She said retrofitting removes the upfront cost of new, more efficient chillers and claimed some operators had reported “payback of the investment in one year”. 

Harrison claimed retrofitted doors also increased the life of chillers. Installation typically takes place eight-to-10 weeks from an initial site survey and can often be carried out during trading hours with “minimal disruption”. 

Read more chiller cabinet news and advice

“There’s no need to worry about storing the doors ahead of the install or emptying the fridges,” Harrison added. “Once a site survey is undertaken, made-to-measure profiles are detailed and manufactured to ensure a smooth installation on site. The bespoke profiles fit to the top and bottom of the open fridges, and the double-paned, formed acrylic doors attach to the profiles,” she said. 

While costs vary depending on cabinet width, retailers can estimate pricing using a tool on the company’s website.  A 20% deposit is required to initiate the site survey, with the balance due upon installation. Finance options are also available on request, Harrison said. 

When asked to comment on a symbol group store retailer who told Better Retailing that financial approval for recent fridge refits had been difficult, Harrison said: “DoubleCool is happy to provide assistance with this, by sharing the savings achieved by other operators and the typical payback time shops can expect.” 

When asked if retrofitted swing doors could cause congestion in small shops, she said: “It’s easy to go and see them in action – simply check our installations map or ask us where your nearest install is.” 

Read more news and advice on sustainable retail