US technology company Phononic has partnered with Pepsi Bottling Ventures (PBV) to expand the distribution of its Merchandising Refrigerator to the bottler’s retail customers.
Using solid-state cooling technology, the Phononic Merchandising Refrigerator is said to offer retailers a more sustainable alternative to compressor-based refrigeration.
The North Carolina-based firm said that with “up to 30% more capacity”, its refrigerators can store more inventory, drive higher sales and lower replenishment trips.
Randy Quirk, vice president of foodservice at PBV, said: “Phononic’s sustainable solid-state cooling technology is groundbreaking and furthers our goal of improving environmental sustainability throughout our entire organisation and within the communities in which we operate.
“The Phononic Merchandising Refrigerator has been an incredible asset for our retail store customers. Each sustainable unit delivers compact and energy efficient utilisation of merchandising floor space, uniform temperatures, and maintenance savings. Based on these features, our customers now have the freedom to rethink in-store layout and optimise refrigerator placement, creating incremental revenue opportunities.”
According to a recent survey commissioned by Phononic, 50% of food retail executives acknowledge that they haven’t figured out how to leverage technology as successfully as non-food retailers, and 60% feel their organisation doesn’t invest enough in in-store technology.
The company said its solid-state refrigeration and freezer technology “helps food retailers reimagine the shopping experience”.
Dana Krug, general manager of food and beverage at Phononic, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Pepsi Bottling Ventures to give food retailers the innovative solid-state cooling technology they need to improve operating margins and maximise selling potential.
“Phononic’s unrivalled solid-state cooling performance allows new placement opportunities that unlock new revenue streams and channels. As the food and beverage industry continues to be disrupted by innovations in checkout efficiency and in-store convenience, food retailers face a mounting challenge: to adapt their business to meet consumer demands, sustainability markers and technology upgrades, all while balancing their bottom line.”