Open-Front vs Glass-Door Multidecks: How to Choose the Right Option

Retail environment

First of all, what type of retail environment establishment will they be using multideck display fridges in? For example a bustling convenience store near a train station operates very differently from a peaceful village shop or an independent grocer located on the high street. Supermarkets and Convenience Stores (C-Stores) have their own unique demands as well. Each environment has different footfall, customer expectations and operational challenges all of which will influence the right refrigeration solution that will work the best

Product Mix

Their product mix should also be taken into account. Are they mostly selling grab-and-go sandwiches and drinks? Or are they stocking premium dairy products and ready meals? The answer makes a big difference. 

Customer Behaviour and Shop Layout

Customer behaviour comes into play too. Do their shoppers tend to browse leisurely, or are they rushing past on their lunch break?
Price and budget obviously plays a significant role in purchasing a multideck, but the upfront cost should never be the only consideration. You’ll do your customers a huge favour by reminding them to consider Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) from day one. 

Plus, don’t forget about their available floor space and store layout. Sometimes, the physical limits of their space will decide for them.

However, energy consumption is a concern that customers may have when purchasing open-front units. It’s a valid question to address, as some models tend to use more energy than their glass-door counterparts. 

The good news is that modern air curtain technology has come a long way. Today’s units are far more efficient than models from just five years ago. And once you factor in the potential sales uplift, this is still often a winner

When to choose glass door multidecks

Glass-door multidecks have been growing in popularity recently and for good reason. 

The energy efficiency benefits can be substantial. For retailers watching every penny from their operational costs, the prospect of using this option is enticing.

However it’s not just about energy bills. Glass doors maintain much more stable temperatures too, and this is crucial for products like premium ready meals, fresh meat or delicate desserts. Your customers will see a reduction in product waste and longer shelf life, both of which directly impacts their bottom profit line. Noise reduction is also a key factor, which is vital for smaller stores, where the hum of refrigeration can dominate the shopping environment and put off regular visitors.

The increase in awareness around sustainability is also something that consumers are taking note of. Reducing energy consumption is highly visible way for your customers to demonstrate their commitment to this. Independent retailers with a focus on quality, farm shops and stores in residential areas often choose glass-door units since these align best with their customers’ expectations and perceptions.

FAQs around glass door multidecks and how to address them

Do glass doors multideck display fridges limit sales?

This is often the first question you’ll receive and it’s worth taking seriously. However, well-lit glass-door units with good product presentation can maintain or even improve sales. The key is ensuring excellent lighting and logical product placement, for example placing products at eye level.

Do glass doors make it harder for staff to restock items?

“My staff are already stretched. Won’t doors slow everything down?” - is a fair point, especially for busy convenience stores. However modern glass doors are lightweight and self-closing, therefore restocking isn’t the time consuming hassle that it used to be, but obviously there is still the need to keep the door open during restocking. 

Can I retrofit doors to my existing open-front units?

This is another common asked query. While it is technically possible with some units, it’s rarely the straightforward option and operationally complex. The refrigeration system in an open-front unit is calibrated for air curtains, not for the sealed environment that doors create. While retrofit kits exist, you’ll more-often find that the energy savings are less impressive than with purpose-built glass-door units, so it’s usually better to advise your customers to replace their existing units.

What’s more condensation was previously a significant issue with glass-door multidecks, but modern anti-fog technology has largely solved this problem. As long as the units are correctly installed and maintained, product visibility remains excellent.

TEFCOLD Multidecks