Hyperfixed: Dylan's Supermarket Cold Case
99% Invisible
Deep Dive
Why do grocery stores use open-air multi-decks instead of closed refrigerators?
Open-air multi-decks are designed to enhance customer experience by allowing easy access to products like produce and packaged meats, which customers often want to examine closely. This design dates back to the 1930s, when supermarkets were primarily designed for homemakers with kids, focusing on ease of use to encourage more purchases.
How much energy could grocery stores save by switching to closed refrigerators?
Grocery stores could save at least 30% of their energy costs by switching to closed refrigerators, with some estimates suggesting savings of up to 50-70% with more efficient, well-sealing doors. This could translate to billions of dollars in savings across the industry and reduce the country's overall energy consumption by 1-2%.
What environmental impact do open-air multi-decks have?
Open-air multi-decks are highly inefficient, using more than 50% of a supermarket's total energy. They also rely on refrigerants, which are potent greenhouse gases that leak into the environment. The environmental impact is equivalent to running an extra 150 coal power plants full time, significantly contributing to global warming.
Why haven't grocery stores adopted more energy-efficient refrigeration systems?
The design of grocery stores, including the use of open-air multi-decks, has remained largely unchanged since the 1930s. The industry has not prioritized updating these systems, despite the potential for significant energy and cost savings. Additionally, the focus on customer experience and ease of use has outweighed concerns about efficiency.
What are some innovative grocery store designs from other countries?
In some Latin American countries, supermarkets use forklifts to restock shelves, reducing labor costs by 20%. Other designs feature 45-degree angled shelves, which improve product visibility and customer interaction, even though they reduce shelf space by 20%. These innovations highlight potential improvements in efficiency and customer experience.
- Dylan's observation about the lack of doors on grocery store refrigerators.
- The apparent inefficiency of open refrigeration units from an energy perspective.
- The initial suspicion of dark patterns influencing the design.
Shownotes Transcript