A Guide to Cold Vault Merchandising and Coolers

Warm weather seems to be here to stay in the Midwest for the spring. There aren’t many things people enjoy more on a hot day than a cold, refreshing beverage. Convenience stores and grocers can set themselves apart by having functional and attractive for your cold vaults, beer caves, and store coolers. With a strong visual merchandising strategy, drinks will move quickly from the shelves to the register. 

As a retailer, you want to maximize your profits and satisfy your customers. One way to achieve this is through effective cold vault merchandising and coolers. These are crucial elements in grocery stores, convenience stores, and other retail environments that sell cold beverages.

Cold vault merchandising is the art of organizing drinks within a refrigerated space to attract shoppers and increase sales. A well-organized cold vault can make the shopping experience more convenient and enjoyable for customers, making them more likely to return to your store.

When it comes to cold vault merchandising, the first thing to consider is the size and layout of the space. You need to ensure that your inventory is arranged to make it easy for customers to find what they want. Group similar products , such as carbonated beverages, sports, and energy drinks. Labeling and signage are also critical to help customers quickly find what they want.

One common technique is to place best-selling items at eye level, making it easy for customers to see them. Less popular items can be set lower or higher on the shelves.

In addition to cold vaults, stand-alone coolers on the store floor are also essential for cold beverages. These coolers are usually located near the front of the store and are used for impulse purchases. Again, proper merchandising is critical to ensure that these coolers are effective.

The placement of coolers is essential. They should be in high-traffic areas, such as near the checkout counter or the entrance to the store. You can also use signage and labels to highlight promotions and deals.

Beer caves are walk-in coolers that are commonly used for beer storage. They are typically located at the back of the store, and their design creates a unique shopping experience for customers.

Alcohol sales are a significant source of revenue for many retailers, and beer caves can play a vital role in generating sales. When setting up a beer cave, consider the size and layout of the space. You want to ensure you can stock various beers and other alcoholic beverages.

One critical aspect of cold vault merchandising and coolers is rotating stock. Rotating stock involves moving older products to the front of the cooler or display and putting new products at the back. This helps ensure customers purchase the freshest products possible, reducing waste and increasing customer satisfaction.

When rotating stock, check the expiration dates on all products. Discard any items past their expiration date, and remember to restock any products running low.

Finally, working with beverage vendors can be a great way to enhance your cold vault merchandising and cooler displays. Beverage vendors can provide product recommendations, pricing information, and promotional materials.

When working with beverage vendors, clearly communicate your goals and expectations. Ask for their advice on merchandising and pricing strategies. Consider developing a partnership with your vendors to help increase sales and customer satisfaction.

Effective cold vault merchandising and cooler displays can significantly increase sales and customer satisfaction in retail environments. By considering the size and layout of your space, grouping similar products, using signage and labels, and working with beverage vendors, you can create an effective merchandising strategy that will help your business thrive. Remember to rotate your stock regularly to ensure your customers always get the freshest products possible.

Our team at Presence From Innovation (PFI) is ready to help with all of your cold vault merchandising needs. We have decades of experience helping retailers and business owners achieve their goals with our displays, shelving units, and other retail solutions. Contact us today, and let’s talk about your retail needs!