Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Maximise the potential from your frozen and chilled section as demand surges

Maximise the potential from your frozen and chilled section as demand surges

Our friends at freezer-masters Husky – a leading global refrigeration specialist with over 25 years’ experience and recognised for delivering the highest standards in refrigeration – got in touch to explain exactly what a cool proposition it is right now to increase and update your chiller and freezer profile. Because as the demand for frozen and chilled foods continues to escalate, convenience stores have a golden opportunity to position themselves as the ultimate destination for time-pressed consumers seeking high quality convenient meal solutions.

By diversifying offerings and embracing technological advancements, c-stores are well positioned to take advantage of this growing trend, enhancing customer satisfaction, and driving business growth.


Chilled and Frozen foods last longer and are less likely to spoil, so many consumers with ever tightening budgets are choosing the chilled and particularly frozen options to cut down on waste and save money.

Chilled food now represents 10 per cent of all UK retail foods at a value of £10 billion, with the frozen food market alone now worth £1.7 billion, Husky revealed. According to BFFF (British Frozen Food Federation) frozen vegetables, meat & poultry, potato products, ready meals and savoury foods account for the highest growth.

With this growing demand, many retail outlets are making the decision to extend their chiller and freezer sections to ensure they dedicate adequate refrigeration space and maximise the opportunity in this growing sector.

F14 C RT1 UK HRN Husky brandingHusky display freezer

The correct refrigeration is essential to keep perishable foods safe for customers and prolong their shelf life. Therefore, investing in the correct refrigeration equipment for your store can make all the difference to your success.

When choosing which fridges and freezers to invest in, consider the size of your store and how much space you should be dedicating to chilled & frozen products. It is important to consider what types of products your customers will be interested in and what kind of storage these products require.

Obviously budget and ongoing running costs must also be considered, a more expensive fridge or freezer to purchase may well be more cost effective in the long run.

The Husky PRO glass fronted Display Fridges and Freezers – such as the C10 PRO Display Fridge – are the perfect solution for any store. Being glass fronted, they are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than the traditional open fronted multideck models.

One of the benefits of the glass fronted models is that customers can see the products inside without having to open the chiller or freezer. This helps to maintain a more constant temperature inside and means the chiller or freezer can work more efficiently preventing cold air from escaping and leading to lower energy consumption.

In recent years, the c-store has undergone a delicious transformation. Ice cream, once an afterthought, is now taking centre stage, captivating the taste buds of customers on the go. The growing demand for tasty treats has spurred a remarkable upturn in ice cream sales, establishing convenience stores as the ultimate pit stop for frozen delights.

The sleek and modern design of the Husky F14 Retro compact ice cream display freezer is catching the eyes of consumers. These freezers are not just a place to store frozen treats; they are a visual centerpiece that invites consumers to explore the exciting array of ice cream and frozen dessert options available.

For more information on the Husky Commercial range, visit: husky.co.uk

“Best served chilled”

Michelle Frost is General Manager at Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats (MCD&T), and she points out just how vital chillers are to her category of chilled milk drinks, with the total flavoured milk category in the UK worth a staggering £634 million.

Across convenience, sales have grown by 13 per cent over the past year. Convenience sales now contribute 44 per cent of total category sales ( £282 million).

Coffee- and chocolate-flavoured milk are the leading subcategories, with coffee-flavoured milk the largest subcategory.

“We believe that our range offers a winning combination, iconic brands in eye-catching packaging,” says Frost. “The PMP and well-known brands draw attention to the product within what can be a crowded chiller.” The best solution, however, is to get more chiller space!

The MCD&T range can be stored ambient but is best served chilled, so for best sales, keep it up-to-date and cool.

Temperature-controlled

Meanwhile, chiller experts Fri-Jado are starting the year with the high-profile launch of an all-new hot Deli Counter range.

Although not strictly speaking chillers, these machines similarly work to change temperatures to make food perfectly presentable to customers, and therefore fit the category of “temperature-adjusting.” Fri-Jado’s innovative series ensures that food is kept at the perfect temperature for service, whilst also being displayed in the best way to ensure customer appeal is as strong as possible, available in a choice of lengths (1,200mm, 1,500mm or 1,800mm) and complete with warm LED internal lighting.

Fri Jado Deli CounterFri-Jado Deli Counter

Available in drop-in and standard formats, the range offers operators significant versatility for their deli offering. Compatible with other counter units in the Fri-Jado portfolio, including the MCC range, the new Hot Deli counters deliver a compact solution for a complete line-up of serve-over, self-service, hot, cold and ambient food holding and display concept. Designed to suit a wide range of store sizes, the units offer flexibility to mix and match different food types whilst maintaining uniform quality.

With the food-on-the-move market increasingly returning to pre-pandemic levels and more and more consumers returning to towns and city-located offices, it has never been more important for operators to positively highlight the food they are selling to potential customers – hot or cold.

“This new hot Deli Counter is a genuine step forward for the sector,” said Sales Director Gary Thacker. “Fri-Jado has long been recognised for its commitment to innovation, and this new unit can truly be a game changer for operators across the UK.”

More for you

Premier Foods report volume-led revenue growth, market share gain

Premier Foods report volume-led revenue growth, market share gain

Premier Foods reported robust sales of its host of well-known brands during the Christmas period and is now forecasting that its annual profit will come in at the upper end of analysts’ expectations.

During its third quarter to 28 December, the group saw its total sales grow by 3.1 per cent, driven by branded sales that increased by 4.6 per cent. After recent investments in innovation and promotional pricing, its performance was driven by volume growth, which was 7 per cent for its branded lines.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pork Farms Mini Pork Pies

Pork Farms Mini Pork Pies

The Compleat Food Group cuts over 100 tonnes of plastic a year with trayless pork pie packs

The Compleat Food Group, one of the UK’s leading food manufacturers, has achieved a significant milestone in its sustainability journey by removing plastic trays from its pork pie packaging.

The initiative, which spans both branded and own-label products, is set to reduce plastic use by 110 tonnes annually. The group produces an estimated 200 million pork pies annually under its own label and through its portfolio of brands, which include Pork Farms, Wall’s Pastry, and Wrights.

Keep ReadingShow less
Business rate bill to surge by 'over 140 per cent'
Hollie Adams/Getty Images
Getty Images

Business rate bill to surge by 'over 140 per cent'

Businesses are facing a sharp rise of "140 per cent" in property costs due to the government's decision to cut relief for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector from 75 per cent to 40 per cent, property consultancy Colliers has warned.

The government’s decision to reduce business rates relief from 75 per cent to 40 per cent will see thousands of shops, restaurants, pubs, gyms, and nightclubs grappling with bills surging by over 140 per cent from the beginning of April.

Keep ReadingShow less
Edmonton city council debates bylaw to ban sale of knives in convenience stores

iStock image

Edmonton city council debates bylaw to ban sale of knives in convenience stores

Edmonton city council is discussing what it would take to ban knives from being sold in convenience stores, state recent reports.

A key issue during the community and public services committee held on Monday (20) was wading through the potential legal ramifications of defining what a knife is and whether some businesses owners may try to find loopholes to be able to sell knives.

Keep ReadingShow less
Things to know about new Simpler Recycling reforms

iStock image

Things to know about new Simpler Recycling reforms

With just 70 days left to go until the government’s new Simpler Recycling reforms are implemented, most businesses are not prepared for the changes in the rule, claims a leading business waste management service.

Although the UK's overall recycling rate has seen a significant rise, reaching 44 per cent in 2015 compared to just 17 per cent in 2008, progress has plateaued in recent years, with indications that the rate may now be declining.

Keep ReadingShow less