Walk-in coolers and freezers are vital components of modern grocery stores, enabling efficient operations and optimal product storage. While each retailer may customize their storefront and grocery store coolers to suit their specific needs, there are common coolers that can be found in grocery stores across the industry.
In this blog post, we will dive into the most common walk-ins in grocery stores including grocery store coolers and freezers, exploring their roles in areas such as the bakery, dairy, meat and seafood, produce, beverage, and frozen food sections. Understanding these uses can shed light on the importance of grocery store walk-ins in enhancing the shopping experience and maintaining product quality.
The Most Common Grocery Store Coolers
In a traditional layouts, strategically positioned grocery store coolers and freezers can be found in key areas of the store to support customer shopping needs such as the bakery, dairy, meat and seafood, produce, beverage, and frozen food areas. Let’s take a closer look at the grocery store walk-ins utilized in each of the common sections.
Bakery Walk-Ins
In the bakery section of a grocery store walk-in coolers and freezers play a crucial role in both the baking process and the storage of bakery items. Grocery store coolers that are commonly found in this area include a bakery freezer, a bakery cooler and can include a bakery retarder cooler or even a decorating cooler. These walk-ins provide a controlled environment for proofing dough, chilling ingredients, and storing finished products. The walk-ins are typically located behind a retail counter, close to the prep and baking area with reach in doors for easy access. Inside the different walk-ins you can find specialized racks and shelves to store the baking ingredients and finished products.
Dairy Coolers
In the dairy section of a grocery store you will find a large cooler, primarily positioned at the back of the store. These walk-ins often have employee access points for stocking, as well as glass reach-in doors for customers to easily view and select their preferred dairy products.
These walk-ins not only serve as storage for milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter but also act as merchandising spaces for milk. They are designed to maintain consistent temperatures to preserve the freshness and quality of these perishable items.
Meat and Seafood Walk-Ins
The meat and seafood area of a grocery store require multiple walk-ins due to the importance of food safety and proper storage. These sections often have separate walk-ins for different types of meats and seafood. Walk-ins in this area can include:
- chicken coolers
- seafood coolers
- meat prep coolers
- meat coolers
- meat freezers
- deli prep coolers
- deli coolers.
These grocery store coolers and freezers are designed with specific temperature and humidity controls to ensure optimal conditions for different types of meats and seafood. Separating raw meat and seafood from cooked and ready-to-eat deli meats helps maintain food safety standards.
Produce Coolers
Produce areas involve storing whole fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as prepared produce in-store uses. Typically, there is a dedicated produce cooler to store products not displayed on the retail shelves. These grocery store coolers are designed to provide a cool environment that helps preserve the freshness and crispness of produce items. The temperature and humidity levels are carefully controlled to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, reducing spoilage. Additionally, a produce prep area is often present for the preparation of produce.
Beverage Coolers
Grocery store coolers are commonly used for beer and alcohol storage within the beverage section of a grocery store (if local law permits). Beer is often stored separately in a beer cooler, maintaining a temperature-controlled environment to preserve taste and quality. These walk-ins have adjustable shelving systems to accommodate different-sized bottles and cans. Other beverages, such as soft drinks and sports drinks, do not require specific temperature requirements and are merchandised directly on the retail aisles.
Grocery Freezer
The frozen food grocery stores receive is stored a large walk-in freezer located off the retail sales floor. Maintaining extremely low temperatures, these walk-ins keep frozen foods well-preserved and prevent freezer burn. Additionally, they often have a large, heated door for employee entry to facilitate restocking and inventory management.
Specifications For Grocery Store Coolers and Freezers
In the traditional grocery store setting, certain specifications are commonly used for walk-ins. The interior of the walk-ins is typically white, promoting a clean and bright environment. The natural or stainless-steel skins ensures durability and easy maintenance. Freezer walk-ins typically use 5″ thick panels, providing superior insulation to preserve low temperatures. Cooler walk-ins have panels a minimum of 3-1/2″ thick, striking a balance between insulation and efficient cooling. The height of the walk-in boxes typically ranges from around 10 ft. for simplicity, allowing for optimal storage capacity within the available space.
The Importance of Grocery Store Coolers
Walk-in coolers and freezers are indispensable assets in grocery stores, allowing retailers manage their perishable inventory. By strategically incorporating walk-ins in areas of the store like the bakery, dairy, meat and seafood, produce, beverage, and frozen food, grocery stores can ensure product freshness, comply with food safety regulations, and enhance the overall shopping experience for customers. Walk-ins provide the optimal temperature and humidity conditions required for specific food categories, prolonging shelf life and preserving quality. Understanding the traditional uses of walk-ins in grocery stores is key to maximizing operational efficiency and meeting consumer demands.
Custom Grocery Store Cooler and Freezer Applications
Custom Walk-Ins have become increasingly popular for traditional grocery stores over the last few years. Across the grocery industry, many retailers have been expanding their in-store offerings to include restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc. As a result, customized walk-in coolers and freezers are being utilized in these areas in addition to the traditional walk-in applications discussed earlier. For these new in-store offerings, custom walk-ins are necessary to separate the grocery items from the in-store ingredients and meals. These custom walk-in applications vary from store to store including unique walk-in uses such sushi coolers, coffee coolers, and keg coolers.
Contact KPS Global Today
Need walk-ins for your grocery store? Our team of experts has decades of experience in the grocery industry and can provide tailored solutions to meet your specific requirements. Contact us today to get started.
Want to learn more about KPS Global walk-ins for grocery stores? Visit our grocery store walk-in page!
