Deli & Display Buyer's Guide
Posted by CANDY POSA
Deli & Display Buyer's Guide
Whether a customer is grabbing a bite to eat because they are hungry or doing routine shopping for deli products, you want the merchandise to be as appealing as possible and that starts with how you display your products. Most people shop for edible products with their eyes rather than their wallets. With that in mind, you want to entice their appetite with a visual display that will catch their attention. The difference between selling your products or not begins with choosing the right display cases for your deli.
There are many factors that go into play when choosing the right deli display case for your deli. This process can be very overwhelming and confusing if you do not know what to search for. To find the ideal display cases for your business these are some of the questions to ask yourself: How do you want your store to be laid out? Do you want customers to serve themselves? Do you want your employees to serve the customers? Are you displaying prepackaged food? Are you displaying hot or cold foods? Would self-contained or remote cases be better for you?
You want your store to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible. The image is a big factor and customers will shop in a store if it is visually appealing. When a customer is shopping they make some impulsive purchases, you want to draw them to your products with an attractive display. When considering the layout you must bear in mind that you must leave room for the customers to move around, you do not want them to feel cramped. You need to leave adequate room for customers to browse your store as well as customers waiting to be waited on.
Many customers appreciate the convenience of being able to grab items and go. They do not always want to take a number and place an order. This dilemma can be solved with a self-serve display case. Self-serve display cases can come with or without doors. The cases without doors are referred to as an open case. This type of display case can come equipped with shelving to place products on or hooks to hang packages from. You may want to place this type of display near the entrance door so the customer can see it as soon as they walk into your store. There will be numerous products that cannot be stored in a self-serve case; these items will be displayed in a service case. When choosing a display service case you will have many options. The front glass display can be a straight front or curved front glass depending on the look that you are going for. Another option you will be given is a single or double-duty case. The single case just provides you with the display area for your products, whereas a double duty case provides you with a storage area underneath the case to stock product out of the view of the customers. Also, you will have options such as adding on a scale stand, paper cutter, additional shelving, drop work shelf, mirrored doors, and front bumpers.
Many deli cases are available in a self-contained or remote refrigeration configuration. The condensing units in a self-contained model are mounted within the bottom of the case. Usually, small businesses that are leasing their space will opt for this option so the equipment can be easily moved if need be. If your display case requires a larger condensing unit or if you have multiple condensing units you may want to consider getting a remote refrigeration system. With multiple units or a larger condensing unit more noise and heat will be generated into your store. If you do choose to purchase a display case that requires a remote condensing unit, you will need to contract with a licensed refrigeration specialist to make the required connections for you.
Deli and display cases are perfect for showing off your freshly made bakery/deli products. Customers tend to buy more when they can see the product clearly, and glass display cases give the perfect view to attractively display your products and increase impulse buys.
Types of Deli & Display Cases
Deli & display cases can come in two types, either refrigerated or non-refrigerated cases. Refrigerated deli display cases are ideal for holding cold temperature products and extending the shelf life of these type of products. These units are typically used to hold products such as cheese, meats, pies, cakes, drinks, salads, dips, and other fresh foods that you want to be displayed clearly to customers.
Non-refrigerated display cases can hold products that do not necessarily need to be refrigerated but does need to be displayed to customers. Pieces of bread, baked goods, donuts, muffins, cupcakes, and other types of pastries are often placed in a non-refrigerated, dry display case.
Styles of Deli & Display Cases
There are three styles of deli and display cases available, straight glass cases, curved glass cases, and counter height display cases. Straight glass deli/display cases offer a traditional look for your foodservice business. Straight glass is actually slanted slightly, approximately 12 degrees, to minimize the reflection from overhead lighting, which enhances the presentation of your food product.
Curved glass display cases are a slightly more expensive version of the display case and offer enhanced top visibility of your product because of the glass curves back instead of stopping. Curved glass display cases present your products brilliantly while offering an unrivaled sophisticated styling.
Counter height display cases are multi-functional by allowing you to use the case as both a display area to proudly show off your food products as well as a counter space when you are serving customers. These 42" cases are the perfect height for you to serve customers without them having to reach very far to receive their products.
Length of Deli & Display Cases
Deli & display cases have varying lengths depending on the specific model you purchase. Refrigerated models range in length from 31 7/8"-96 1/2", while non-refrigerated display cases range in length from 40"-52".
Deli & Display Case Cubic Feet Area
The amount of cubic feet each display case has indicated how much product can be stored and displayed in that specific case. Refrigerated deli display cases have between 10.8-63.9 cubic feet, while non-refrigerated cases have between 10.8-18.1 cubic feet of display area.
Bottom of Deli & Display Cases
Deli and display cases can be purchased either with or without a storage area underneath the case itself. A display case with storage underneath the case allows you to store dry items or preparatory items in this area to minimize the amount of time you must spend looking for such products. This also helps to free up space that would otherwise be used to store these products.
Units without this storage area underneath have a solid bottom that is sturdy and easy to clean.
Deli & Display Cases Specialty Options
When purchasing a display case, there are five specialty options to choose from. You can purchase cases that are freezers, pass thru units, feature all stainless steel construction, have glass ends, or offer dual zone control with glass ends. Freezer deli display cases are perfect for those frozen products that must be kept a cold temperature to ensure product safety and shelf life. Ice cream cakes are often placed in this type of display case.
Pass thru deli and display cases offer easy loading as well as self-service options. Pass thru units have doors on both the front and back of the unit, allowing you to place items in from the back of the case. Customers can serve themselves by removing items via the front door.
Display cases with an all stainless steel construction offer easy cleaning and less maintenance time that other units. These stainless steel cases are scratch and dent resistant, and allow you to simply wipe down the exterior to maintain a shiny, neat appearance.
Glass end display cases offer additional viewing of the products by displaying them through the ends of the cabinet as well. Glass ends allow the products to be visible to customers from nearly any angle, increasing the possibility of impulse buying due to visibility.
Very unique and useful display cases offer dual zone control as well as glass ends. Dual zone controls allow you to have dry and refrigerated sections in the same case, making the most of your available space. These dual zone units are perfect for smaller businesses that do not have enough room for both dry and refrigerated cases, but need both to display their products. These units have glass ends as well to maximize visibility and increase purchase probability.
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