Keeping it cool

Over the years, customers of Valley Foods have seen the older model of coolers and freezers slowly get replaced. Beginning with the freezers and moving onto the dairy section, the final coolers have recently been replaced. The open-face coolers that have been in the meat department for years were removed in November and replaced with newer coolers similar to those seen around the rest of the store.

"I was going to do the meat first because I felt that they needed the most upgrading, to make that aisle bigger so people could shop it better," said Adam Clarke, manager of Valley Foods. "But my dairy coolers were on their last limb, so we did those last year and these this year."

Much like the dairy coolers that were installed last year, and the freezers installed several years prior, the meat coolers are taller but open up the aisle more to allow easier access for customers to shop. They are also more efficient.

"These are a lot more efficient cases," Clarke said. "We did an energy audit on the building and saw what the comparison would be. Open-face cases, they're not efficient. They don't hold product well. They're just outdated."

With all the outdated coolers replaced, Clarke expects to see energy savings totalling approximately $2,000 annually. Grants are also available to reimburse businesses for installing energy saving fixtures and Clarke did apply for one, but he is unsure if he will receive the grant. Regardless, the coolers needed replaced.

"You gotta keep doing upgrades or you're going to fall to pieces," said Clarke.

While they have been installed for only a short time, Clarke stated that he has received positive feedback from customers.

"A lot of people like them," Clarke said. "You always have problems with doors, they're a little taller. It's shoppable, but it's more work for my guys back there keeping the case full."

There is still some work to be done, shelving to be added to the new cases, but Clarke is happy with the upgrades and the customers seem to be as well.