Waitrose is set to introduce new energy-saving shelf design in an attempt to make its store chillers more efficient.
Rolling out from March, the new twin bladed shelf-edge, Wirth Research (WR) EcoBlade, will reduce chiller energy consumption by up to 25%.
The blades, which are made of recyclable polycarbonate, will be fitted to the front of its fridge shelving to reduce cold air being lost into the aisles, using the same techniques that channel airflow more efficiently around racing cars to enable them to corner at higher speeds.
It also aims to make aisles feel warmer for customers and takes away the need to install fridge doors, while ensuring a constant shelf temperature throughout the fridges to maintain product quality.
Waitrose & Partners head of corporate social responsibility, Tor Harris, said: “We know there is always more to do, but applying this design means we’re motoring forward in our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment.
“To deliver an energy saving of such significance through changing our shelf edging is fantastic and another example of how we continue to find innovative ways to achieve our goal to make our shops more sustainable.”
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