(Advertorial) Across national and international food retail and discounters, there are different views on the solutions offered in the field of refrigeration and freezing. While the priority from a sales perspective is optimal area productivity, this must be balanced with purchasing and technology requirements. Each of these factors comes with its own unique range of considerations. “Only those who know and understand all three requirements can meet them and be successful,” says Oliver Posch, Head of Sales Food Retail Western and Eastern Europe at Liebherr-Hausgeräte.
The most obvious, basic concern is the actual purchase: getting the best possible price. Alongside this cost factor, the solution must meet the individual requirements of the trading company in terms of the quality, safety and sustainability of the products being purchased. Liebherr has always paid particular attention to these criteria. From each individual screw to the large glass doors, the quality and sustainability of the components and their suppliers are always checked. Liebherr-Hausgeräte GmbH was awarded the EcoVadis gold medal in 2023 for its sustainable practices. The manufacturer’s production sites are among the top three percent of all companies evaluated by EcoVadis worldwide. When you buy from Liebherr, you know that you are always getting an excellent product for the price.
The technology in Liebherr’s refrigeration and freezing products is engineered for optimal energy consumption, maintenance costs, reliability, refrigeration performance, and therefore safeguards the chilled or frozen products. The electricity demand from cooling technology makes up the lion’s share of the total energy consumption of a branch, representing a significant cost factor. According to a study by the EHI Retail Institute in 2022, this represents 46 percent of a branch’s electricity consumption. Liebherr therefore attaches great importance to building highly energy-efficient appliances that consume up to a third less power than comparable appliances, offering customers real energy-saving potential.
Liebherr takes it one step further: Plug-in freezers no longer have to be manually and time-consumingly defrosted by branch staff, which also has the benefit of consuming less electricity. Liebherr appliances are defrosted completely automatically on a cyclical basis, without the required core temperature of the produce being exceeded. The heat required for this process is provided by the hot gas from the cooling circuit and does not require any additional energy for electrical heating. Business interruption during manual defrosting is also avoided. In addition, ice-free appliances are more hygienic and leave a positive impression on the customer, making them want to look inside.
However, the most important thing for food retail is the sale of goods. The available sales space must be utilised in the best possible way. The sales area productivity is one of the most important performance indicators for Liebherr customers. All three spatial dimensions need to be considered: The height at which the goods are placed plays a major role, in addition to the depth and width of the appliance. The unique low-front design of the new Liebherr Cliff vertical freezer provides barrier-free access. Customers only buy goods that they can easily reach.
Anyone planning for the future of their branch should factor in the portability of Liebherr appliances, as well as the optimal use of space. Customers look for variety and seasonal products. Plug-in appliances are easy to add and rearrange. This makes it easier to implement campaigns and special offers than with permanently positioned furniture. The buying experience of a ‘marketplace in the market’ can therefore be continually reimagined.
Oliver Posch shares his optimism: ‘The newly developed Cliff plug-in freezer unit is an excellent example of how to meet these requirements. Optimised energy consumption, low maintenance, maximum area productivity and easy-to-use equipment improve the productivity and sales of our customer companies. Liebherr is the ideal companion for an investment in the future of food retail!’
Cliff is available since January 2024. Learn more on home.liebherr.com.
