Introducing the benefits and usage examples of rapid freezer for supermarkets and retail stores

Did you know that the introduction of rapid freezer in supermarkets and retail stores is accelerating?

Recently, major supermarkets such as Daiei, part of the Aeon Group, the largest retailer, have started using rapid freezer, which is attracting attention.

The reason why each company's supermarkets are introducing rapid freezer is that in addition to the objectives of ``increasing sales'' and ``increasing production efficiency,'' they also have great benefits from the perspective of SDGs such as ``reducing food loss.''​

Based on these considerations, it is said that rapid freezer will become an essential item for supermarkets and retail stores in the future.

In fact, we have received many reports that our efforts have been successful and that additional equipment has been installed.

In this article, we will introduce the benefits of introducing rapid freezer at supermarkets. In addition, we will provide detailed explanations including the most suitable rapid freezer and usage examples.

Advantages of introducing rapid freezer

First, we will introduce the benefits of introducing rapid freezer at supermarkets and retail stores.

The three major benefits of rapid freezer are "increased sales," "improved production efficiency," and "reduced waste loss."​

I will introduce each of them.

Advantage 1: Increased sales

You can increase sales by using rapid freezer.

So, what kind of efforts are supermarkets actually taking to increase sales?

Here, we will introduce the supermarket's initiatives such as ``setting prices that take advantage of the strengths of rapid freezing,'' ``eliminating opportunity losses,'' and ``developing highly convenient products.''

[Price setting that takes advantage of the strengths of rapid freezing]

The first is pricing that takes advantage of the strengths of rapid freezing.

By introducing rapid freezer, we can provide products to consumers at low prices without reducing their gross profit.

Unsold chilled products lose their freshness over time and are discarded, but since the discarded products also have a cost, prices are set taking into account the cost of the discarded products. Masu.

Additionally, in order to reduce the number of unsold items, it is common for stores to offer discounts when the store is about to close. However, responding to such discounts also incurs labor costs and materials costs such as discount stickers.

On the other hand, rapid freezing products can be stored for a long time without changing their quality, so the products are not thrown away and there is no need to offer discounts or other measures.

Therefore, prices can be set on the premise that costs such as the cost of discarded products, the amount of discounts, and the labor costs associated with responding to discounts, which are normally taken into account when setting prices, do not occur.

In this way, even if you set the price lower than conventional chilled food prices, you can still make more profit.

Price is a major differentiating factor, especially at supermarkets and retail stores that consumers use regularly, so we can expect effects such as expanding market share.

[Eliminating opportunity loss]

The second approach is to eliminate opportunity losses.

You can prevent opportunity losses due to out-of-stock items and product lineups.

Products that use rapid freezer can keep shelves full of products at all times, eliminating opportunity losses due to out-of-stock items.

In addition, it is possible to eliminate opportunity losses by including products in the lineup that are in demand but do not sell every day (such as Chateaubriand, a high-quality cut of Wagyu beef).

Usually, chilled foods that do not sell every day are removed from the lineup because the cost of waste is higher than the sales (gross profit). rapid freezing products do not result in wasted waste, so adding them to your product lineup can eliminate opportunity losses.

[Development of highly convenient products]

The third is the development of highly convenient products.

Products frozen in rapid freezer can be stored for a long time even after you purchase them at the supermarket, so you can stock them in your home freezer.

In addition, a wide range of product lineups including pre-processed ingredients, semi-cooked foods, and fully cooked foods can be provided to consumers through rapid freezing.

You can increase sales by developing products that match the needs of consumers and solve the problems faced by busy modern people, such as not having much time for housework or difficulty going shopping every day.

In this way, supermarkets can increase sales by using rapid freezer to take advantage of the strengths of rapid freezing in setting prices, eliminating opportunity losses, and developing highly convenient products. I can.

Benefit ②: Improved production efficiency

rapid freezer can also reduce labor costs.

Many companies use methods that greatly increase production efficiency by organizing operations such as preparing, cooking, and freezing food in bulk at stores or process centers that primarily perform manufacturing and processing, and then transporting the food to each store. Exists.

By consolidating manufacturing bases, it is possible to increase production efficiency in the following ways.

• Perform one task at a time
• Increase efficiency by introducing large commercial manufacturing equipment
• By including frozen storage, the amount of work during busy and off-season periods is equalized.

The optimal operation will vary depending on each company's current situation and future policies, so please feel free to contact us.

Advantage 3: Reduction of waste loss

Freezing food in rapid freezer can reduce waste loss.

As I mentioned in the pricing section that takes advantage of the strengths of rapid freezing, you can reduce waste loss by freezing food in rapid freezer.

Japan has also adopted the SDGs as a national policy, and there is a possibility that there will be an increase in systems that benefit companies that take measures to prevent food waste.

When thinking about the future, I think it is extremely important to have a business that does not generate waste loss.

rapid freezer recommended for supermarkets and retail stores

So far, we have introduced the benefits of introducing rapid freezer for supermarkets and retail stores, but if you are actually considering it, which rapid freezer is best?

Here we will introduce rapid freezer are often installed in supermarkets and retail stores.

What supermarkets and retail stores in particular have introduced is an air-blast type rapid freezer called the Artlock Freezer, which uses the latest technology.

The Art Toc Freezer was chosen for three reasons: (1) it can freeze a wide range of products, (2) it has high cost performance, and (3) it allows you to choose a product lineup that matches the introduction phase.

I will introduce each of them.

① Can freeze a wide range of products

Supermarkets and retail stores are required to freeze a variety of products, from fresh foods to cooked foods.

Artlock Freezer can "prevent dryness" and rapid freezing "food at any temperature". As a result, it is possible to handle a wide range of ingredients regardless of the type of food, freezing conditions, or freezing temperature.

What makes this possible is the Micro Window System and Smart Freeze.

[Micro window system]

Equipped with a micro-wind system, it has the ability to rapid freezing while preventing dryness.

It is possible to rapid freezing various types of food in various conditions (freezing food naked, freezing food in containers, freezing food packaged in vacuum, etc.).

[Smart Freeze]

Additionally, it is equipped with an automatic control system called SmartFreeze, which allows you to freeze food at any temperature.

Normally, it is not possible to freeze hot foods as it is because it puts a strain on the machine itself and increases the risk of failure. However, the Artlock Freezer is designed so that it does not place any strain on the machine itself by constantly adjusting the optimal settings according to the food being fed and the operating conditions, so it is possible to freeze even high-temperature food.

By freezing not only refrigerated fish and meat, but also hot foods such as freshly grilled fish and freshly fried chicken without cooling them, you can recreate the deliciousness of freshly prepared food without degrading the quality. is.

With these functions, the Artlock Freezer can be used in businesses that freeze various types of food, such as supermarkets.

②High cost performance

High cost performance is also one of the reasons why Artlock freezers are chosen.

When using a normal rapid freezer, frost forms inside the refrigerator, so you need to defrost the machine for about an hour every 2 to 3 hours. As a result, the machine cannot be operated for about 30% of its actual operating time, which reduces the amount that can be frozen in a day.

Artlock Freezer uses an anti-frost mechanism to prevent frost formation and can operate continuously for up to 72 hours.

As a result, we have achieved industry-leading cost performance.

③Choose a product lineup that matches the introduction phase

Artlock freezers come in a variety of lineups, including small models that can be installed in stores, large models that can be installed in factories, and custom-made models.

It is easy to first introduce it in stores and if it goes well, install it in factories, so we can provide optimal guidance according to the phase and plan of implementation.

It has been chosen by supermarkets and retailers because 1) it can freeze a wide range of products, 2) it has high cost performance, and 3) it has a product lineup that matches the introduction phase.

Supermarket/retail store implementation example

Here we will introduce examples of supermarkets and retail stores that have introduced Artlock freezers.

supermarket process center

【point】

・Increase production efficiency by centralizing some operations at the process center

・Introduced large-scale production equipment in addition to rapid freezer to mass produce

・Products are transported from the process center by chilled delivery while being thawed.

- Chilled food is provided at the store.

This is an example of rapid freezer being installed in a supermarket's process center.

By manufacturing products in process centers using large equipment, we are able to manufacture large quantities of products with a small number of people.

By setting a storage period in a frozen warehouse, the process center is able to maintain a constant production volume and carry out planned manufacturing, regardless of uneven store sales.

For this reason, we are able to operate the system easily even in areas with severe labor shortages.

Major supermarket

【point】

・By installing small models in stores, it is possible to quickly develop products in line with sales.​

・Reducing losses with flash freezing and increasing profits even if prices are set low

-Expensive products with niche needs (such as Chateaubriand) can now be sold profitably.​

・Changing the image of being cheap because it is frozen to being a high quality and reasonably priced product​

This is an example of implementation at a major supermarket store.

By intentionally introducing small rapid freezer to supermarket stores, we were able to reduce risk and achieve early introduction. By quickly developing products in line with sales, we are achieving immediate results.

We increased sales by developing products that meet customer needs, product lineups, and creating shelves that are compatible with rapid freezing.

In the future, we are considering consolidating some food products into processing centers, etc., to increase production efficiency.

Conclusion

What did you think?

Supermarkets and retail stores can achieve benefits such as ``increased sales,''​ ​``improved production efficiency,'' and ``reduced waste loss'' by introducing rapid freezer, and there are many companies that are actually achieving results. To do.

In addition, by introducing small rapid freezer into stores, it is possible to reduce risks and speed up implementation plans.

If you are a supermarket or retail store considering using rapid freezer, please contact us as we can provide you with case studies.