SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION
changes that might otherwise go unnoticed until they become critical. They provide continuous monitoring without the need for staff to intervene, maintaining food safety oversight even when human resources are reduced. When demand surges, these systems become equally valuable. They can identify which units are struggling under increased load, allowing maintenance teams to prioritise interventions before systems fail completely. The ability to send instant alerts about temperature changes also means that corrective action can be taken while produce is still salvageable.
Risk factors and mitigation strategies Fresh food counters such as delis, fi sh and meats present their own challenges. These areas often operate with skeleton crews during quieter periods, yet they handle some of the most temperature-sensitive products in the store. Many rely on cook-chill processes, where food is cooked, rapidly chilled and displayed for sale, making consistent refrigeration vital to maintain shelf life. Ready-to-eat and other high-risk items spoil at a faster rate than other stock, so if a Max/Min temperature limit is breached and not corrected within the safe timeframe, products cannot be sold. The key to managing these risks lies in understanding the specifi c vulnerabilities of each system. Refrigerated display cases used for prepared foods are often more vulnerable to these kinds of temperature changes when the patterns of restocking change. Products may be left at unsafe temperatures during extended restocking periods, or units may be overloaded during busy periods, restricting air circulation. Eff ective management in these areas requires a wider
approach. Automated monitoring systems provide the foundation, but they must be supported by processes that consider these changing patterns. This includes adjusting alarm thresholds when necessary and carrying out additional manual checks when the automated systems indicate potential issues.
Energy effi ciency considerations Food safety is critical, but it’s not the only concern. Refrigeration systems are among the largest energy consumers in store operations, producing up to 70% of a supermarket’s total carbon emissions according to a 2025 EIA report.
Keeping fridges full while serving fewer customers can have
a dramatic impact energy effi ciency. The answer isn’t simply to reduce cooling capacity as this increases the risk of food spoilage. Instead, intelligent control systems can adjust cooling based on actual needs. Temperature monitoring systems that track and provide live readings can predict when more cooling capacity is needed, allowing these systems to operate a lot more effi ciently. DEFRA reports that supermarket refrigeration accounts for 1% of the UK’s electricity usage, which means that eff ective monitoring is both a smart business move and environmentally responsible. Small improvements in effi ciency across the sector can deliver sizable reductions in our national energy consumption, making the case for investment in advanced
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monitoring technologies even more compelling from a sustainability perspective.
Looking forward Events in recent years have highlighted the need for more resilient refrigeration management strategies. This goes beyond simply installing more sophisticated equipment – it requires a fundamental shift in how supermarkets approach temperature management. The most successful retailers have embraced advanced monitoring systems while maintaining the fl exibility to change their process based on use, including training staff to understand how their actions aff ect temperature stability. Investment in predictive maintenance software is also
proving valuable. By monitoring how systems are performing, retailers can identify potential failures before they occur. This proactive approach becomes especially important during busier periods when system failures have more severe consequences.
The challenges of managing supermarket refrigeration
through periods of fl uctuating demand are complex and varied. Success requires a combination of advanced monitoring technology, fl exible workfl ow protocols, and a deep understanding of how diff erent patterns aff ect system performance. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, supermarkets that invest in robust, intelligent refrigeration management systems will be best positioned to maintain food safety standards and manage operating expenses eff ectively. The technology exists to meet these challenges; the question is whether retailers will embrace it before the next unforeseen event tests their systems again. The stakes are simply too high – in food safety, fi nancial performance, and customer trust – to rely on outdated monitoring and management approaches. The future of supermarket refrigeration lies in intelligent, adaptive systems that can respond eff ectively to whatever challenges the market presents.
www.acr-news.com • October 2025 15
"The reality is that
refrigeration systems, designed for steady everyday use, face unique stresses when demand
patterns have an unexpected shift."
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