The Benefits of Using a Display Cooler for Your Shop

25 Aug.,2025

 

The Benefits of Using a Display Cooler for Your Shop

If you’re in the business of selling food or beverages, you should strongly consider investing in a display refrigerator for your shop. Not only can this type of commercial equipment help meet growing demands for cold products, but they could actually draw in customers while also boosting the efficiency of your operation.

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Although the term display refrigeration is broad, it essentially refers to equipment utilized by commercial establishments to store and display their wares. These models still offer the same features, build and capacity as commercial refrigerators, and they are simply differentiated by a glass door. That way, customers have clear visibility and the products are kept safe at low temperatures.

Below, we’ll explore the benefits of using a display cooler or freezer in your business.

Ways a Retail Fridge Display Works in Your Favor

Energy Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness

Display refrigerators aren’t just eye-catching – they’re also designed with energy efficiency in mind, which makes them a smart investment for your shop. Modern models come equipped with features like LED lighting and energy-saving compressors. These advancements reduce electricity consumption, meaning you get powerful cooling capabilities without skyrocketing utility bills. LED lighting – for example – highlights your products beautifully while also generating less heat, helping maintain consistent temperatures inside the refrigerated display cabinet.

Compared to traditional refrigerators, display coolers are optimized for continuous commercial use. They are designed to maintain efficiency even with frequent door openings, making them ideal for busy environments. The lower operating costs that come with these advanced features can make a big difference in your bottom line over time. Although they may have a higher upfront cost, display coolers can quickly prove their value by saving on energy bills and boosting operational efficiency.

Impact on Sales and Customer Attraction

One of the most significant advantages of a display refrigerator is its ability to boost sales. By showcasing your products in a clear, organized and visually appealing manner, you give customers an extra reason to make a purchase. A customer might enter your store intending to buy one item but leave with a chilled drink, a snack or an enticing dessert they noticed in your display cooler. This enhanced product visibility acts as a silent salesperson, drawing attention and increasing revenue.

The glass doors of display refrigerators also help transform your inventory into a vibrant display. Products that are brightly illuminated and neatly arranged naturally catch the eye, inviting customers to explore more. This visual appeal encourages impulse buying, making your shop more engaging and inviting. For instance, a café with a stylish refrigerated display case filled with colorful cakes, beverages and salads creates a premium experience for its patrons.

Similarly, a convenience store may choose to place a well-stocked drink cooler in a high-traffic area to prompt spontaneous purchases, especially on a hot day. This accessibility and presentation are key to turning casual shoppers into loyal customers, while creating a better overall shopping experience. Want to learn more about the power of impulse purchasing? Check out our blog on how to Improve Impulse Purchase Sales With Beverage Coolers.

Another positive impact a sleek and modern display refrigerator can have is on your store’s ambiance. Customers associate a well-organized and visually appealing environment with quality, making them more likely to trust your products and return for repeat purchases. Whether it’s showcasing beverages, fresh produce or pre-packaged meals, the right commercial display fridge can make all the difference in setting your shop apart from competitors.

Types and Maintenance of Display Coolers

Display refrigerators are available in a variety of styles, tailored to suit the diverse needs of businesses. For shops with limited space, upright models are a smart choice. These vertical units maximize storage without taking up too much floor area, making them perfect for corner stores or small delis.

If you’re running a coffee shop, countertop display fridges are ideal for presenting pastries, cakes or sandwiches, offering an enticing view to customers at eye level. On the other hand, grocery stores and larger businesses benefit greatly from horizontal display coolers, which provide ample room for frozen goods, bulk items or high-turnover packaged meals.

Maintenance plays a crucial role in keeping your display coolers running efficiently and looking professional. Start with regular cleaning of the glass doors so your products remain clearly visible and attractive. Dusting or wiping down the interior shelves and exteriors prevents build-up that could compromise the cooler’s efficiency or appearance.

Checking the seals on the doors is another essential step, as faulty seals can result in temperature fluctuations that spoil products and waste energy. Monitoring the temperature settings frequently helps maintain the ideal cooling conditions for your inventory, safeguarding its freshness and quality.

Periodic professional maintenance is important aspect of owning a display refrigerator as well. Having experts inspect the compressor, fans and cooling systems can help identify minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of downtime and keeps your cooler performing optimally for years to come.

By staying on top of these maintenance tasks, you not only extend the lifespan of your equipment but also leave a positive impression on your customers. A clean, well-maintained display cooler speaks volumes about the quality and care you invest in your business.

Technological Advancements and Design Trends

Today’s display refrigerators are more than just functional – they’re technological marvels that streamline operations and elevate the customer experience. Digital temperature controls allow you to set and monitor cooling levels with precision, keeping your products fresh. Self-defrosting systems reduce the need for manual maintenance, saving time and effort. For shop owners who want extra peace of mind, some models even offer remote monitoring, so you can track performance and temperature from your smartphone.

On the design side, modern display coolers are all about combining style with functionality. Frameless glass doors, sleek stainless-steel finishes and customizable LED lighting are just a few of the features that make these refrigerators stand out. These design elements enhance the overall aesthetic of your shop while also aligning with the branding of upscale businesses.

A well-designed display fridge isn’t just a piece of equipment – it’s a statement piece that can elevate your entire space.

Strategic Placement and Best Practices

Where you place your display refrigerator can make or break its impact. High-traffic areas – such as near the checkout counter or entrance – are prime spots for display coolers. Placing a beverage cooler next to a register makes it easy for customers to grab a drink while waiting in line. An example if this is a bakery might place a countertop cooler or sizable cake display fridge filled with desserts near the seating area to tempt customers into ordering an extra treat.

Avoid placing your commercial refrigeration near heat sources – such as ovens or direct sunlight – as this can strain the cooling system and reduce its efficiency. Instead, choose a location for your commercial fridge that has good airflow to maintain consistent performance. Another best practice is to organize your display case products in a way that’s both visually appealing and functional. Use dividers to separate different items and keep popular products at eye level to maximize visibility and accessibility.

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Display Cooler vs. Traditional Refrigeration

While traditional refrigerators have their place in certain businesses, display coolers offer distinct advantages that make them the better choice for customer-facing environments. The transparent glass doors of a display refrigerator allow customers to easily see what’s inside, which can significantly boost sales. Traditional refrigerators, on the other hand, require customers to open the door to browse, which can be less convenient and less appealing.

Display coolers are also built with energy efficiency in mind, often featuring advanced compressors and LED lighting that reduce electricity usage. While traditional refrigerators may have a lower upfront cost, the long-term savings and increased revenue potential of display coolers often outweigh this initial expense. Plus, the sleek design and added visibility of display coolers make them a valuable asset for any business looking to stand out in a competitive market.

Lastly, a display freezer or cooler excels in inventory management. Being able to see your stock at a glance helps prevent over-ordering or running out of popular items. This transparency has the power to improve operational efficiency and enhance the overall customer experience by keeping your most in-demand products readily available.

Finding the Best Display Coolers for Your Establishment

Selecting the equipment that’s the best fit for your establishment takes some careful research. As you continue exploring the range of options available to you, remember to reach out to the experts for help. Here at Iron Mountain Refrigeration & Equipment, we can support your search and help ensure you get exactly what you need to meet the unique demands of your business.

What to consider when purchasing open or glass door display fridges

When it comes to Commercial Refrigeration for food retail business, the visual appeal of display fridges are a contributing factor in maximising sales and as such are an important investment. The success of your business is not only dependent on the products you're selling but also on how effective you are at capturing and retaining customers' attention so as to encourage purchases.

The selection of display fridges on the market is generally divided in two types “ open displays and glass door displays. One of the main features for both doored and open-fronted display cases is how accessible they are to the consumer for selecting the product. Both may provide suitable solutions for a wide range of commercial refrigeration products and yet both have their pros and cons.

Open Display Fridges

Open display fridges are commonly used in supermarkets, fruit shops, take-aways and convenience stores which gives the customer an unobstructed access to chilled products.

Open display refrigeration works by circulating cold air throughout the cabinet with an invisible air curtain creating a barrier between the outside ambient temperature and the desired operating temperature of the cabinet. This ensures the preservation and longevity of the product on display.

One of the main advantages of open displays is the impulse buy factor which encourages customers to effortlessly grab the items without having to open/slide a door to access. You can get a more efficient traffic flow in your store, thus reduce long queues and in turn maximise your sales.

It also encourages the marketers to promote impulse buying by positioning the units near queuing areas. You would often see open display fridges near the registers in supermarkets where you can often see a customer instinctively reach for a drink, sandwich, salad etc. while queuing up.

However, there are some down sides to open display fridges that need to be mentioned, and one of the main ones is that they're less energy efficient than their glass door equivalents. Latest advancements in technology with cleaner, natural refrigerants has improved the energyefficiency not only helping to reduce running costs required to run an open display fridge, but also to lower the Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

Regular maintenance will be required to clean condensers since the location of the condensing unit is close to the floor where dust can accumulate over time. If the condenser is blocked, air will struggle to circulate which can also cause the compressor to overheat and short cycle. This can affect the efficient operation, increase running costs and enviably reduce the operational life of the cabinet. By consistently cleaning the condenser will increase the lifespan of the fridge and in turn reduce maintenance and running costs over the lifetime of the fridge.

Glass Door Display Fridges

Glass door fridges are suitable for all type of refrigerated products, and can be ideal for any retail food store such as groceries, supermarkets, convenience stores, etc.

Glass door fridges are equipped with internal LED lighting which create a well-lit and attractive visual appeal to promote the products on display with the intention to be eye catching to potential customers.

The main advantage of glass door fridges over the open display equivalents is that due to the insulating barrier the doors provide, the retention of the cold-air within the cabinet means the compressor will not be required to run as often, thus making glass door fridges up to two-thirds more efficient than open cabinets, which in turn reducing your overall running costs.

The glass doors protect the products inside the fridge from dust, dirt, or any outside manipulation, whilst also allowing customers to have a clear view of what's inside.

Glass door fridges can be deemed less impulsive than an open display fridge as consumers are required to open or slide a door to reach the products inside; however the higher energy efficiency of the glass door fridges outweighs the minimal inconvenience of access the doors create.

Price comparison

The cost of glass door chillers with a similar ˜footprint' to an open display can be between 12% - 45% more expensive depending on the model and capacity, however the initial purchase price must be offset against the long term energy efficiency and lower running costs which are up to two-thirds less than an open display fridge.

The above information provided may assist you in determining the correct refrigeration cabinets as the success of your business depends on selecting the most appropriate, fit for purpose equipment to showcase the variety of your products to the customer and to entice them to purchase.

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