12 Best Practices for Display Refrigerator Placement in High-Traffic Areas

In retail and food service, your product display strategy is just as critical as the quality of the products themselves. A commercial display refrigerator is not merely a storage unit; it is a silent salesperson, a visual anchor, and a key driver of impulse revenue. Whether you manage a bustling supermarket, a high-end sushi restaurant, or a convenience store, the placement of your refrigeration units can dictate traffic flow and directly influence your bottom line.

Optimizing high-traffic areas requires a blend of psychology, logistics, and technical know-how. It is about placing the right product in the right line of sight at the right moment in the customer’s journey. Below are 12 best practices for positioning display refrigerators in high-traffic zones to maximize visibility, efficiency, and sales.

1. Capitalize on the "Decompression Zone"

When customers first enter a store, they enter a "decompression zone"—the first few feet where they transition from the outside world to the retail environment. While many retailers avoid placing heavy merchandise here, it is an excellent spot for "grab-and-go" display refrigerators featuring high-margin, immediate-consumption items like cold beverages or single-serve snacks. Placing a slim glass-door merchandiser just beyond this threshold invites customers to start their shopping journey with a refreshing purchase, setting the tone for the rest of their visit.

2. Leverage the "Right-Hand Turn" Bias

Retail psychology studies consistently show that upon entering a store, the vast majority of customers naturally drift toward the right. This "right-hand turn" bias is a goldmine for merchandising. Place your most attractive, high-demand refrigerated goods along the right-hand wall or the first aisle to the right. This area is often referred to as the "power wall." A well-lit, fully stocked double-door cooler in this prime real estate ensures that your premium products are the first distinct items a customer sees and engages with.

3. Master the Checkout "Impulse Gauntlet"

The area leading up to and surrounding the checkout counter is the single most valuable square footage for impulse buys. Customers waiting in line are a captive audience. Small countertop display fridges or under-counter reach-ins with glass tops are perfect here. Stock them with energy drinks, cold brew coffees, or single-serving desserts. The key is to keep the decision-making process low-stakes and instant. If a customer is waiting to pay, a cold drink at arm’s reach is an easy add-on that boosts average ticket size without requiring a detour.

For businesses looking to upgrade their checkout zone refrigeration, Canadian Commercial Appliance offers a vast selection of countertop and under-counter merchandisers designed specifically for these tight, high-value spaces.

4. Integrate Specialized Preservation for Premium Products

Not all "high-traffic" areas are about speed; some are about showcasing quality. In high-end grocers or seafood markets, the "destination" display is crucial. For example, if you sell sushi-grade fish, standard freezers simply won't suffice for maintaining the vibrant color and texture discerning customers expect.

You need specialized equipment like ultra-low temperature (ULT) units. Placing tuna freezers in a prominent, high-traffic seafood section signals to your customers that you take quality seriously. These units, which often operate at temperatures as low as -60°C (-76°F), prevent cellular damage in high-quality fish. A visible, high-tech tuna freezer acts as a badge of quality, drawing in foodies and chefs who are specifically looking for premium ingredients.

5. Cross-Merchandise for Solution Selling

Don't isolate your refrigerators from your dry goods. High-traffic aisles often contain complementary items that can drive cross-category sales. Place a refrigerated open-air merchandiser filled with cheeses, dips, or salsas next to the cracker and chip aisle. Position cold craft beers next to the pizza or salty snack section. This technique, known as solution selling, saves the customer time by grouping meal components together and encourages them to buy the refrigerated item they might have otherwise skipped.

6. Eye-Level is Buy-Level

The vertical placement of products within your high-traffic refrigerators is just as important as the floor placement of the unit itself. The "strike zone"—the area between waist and eye level—is where products move fastest. Ensure your display refrigerators are tall enough to bring premium products into this zone. Avoid placing high-margin items on the bottom shelf, which should be reserved for bulkier, lower-cost, or destination items that customers are willing to bend down to find.

7. Optimize Traffic Flow to Prevent "Butt-Brush"

Retail anthropologist Paco Underhill coined the term "butt-brush effect," which observes that shoppers—especially women—will move away from a display if they are brushed from behind by other customers while looking at it. In high-traffic areas, ensure your display refrigerators are placed with ample aisle width (at least 4 feet). If a refrigerator door swings open into a narrow flow of traffic, customers will feel crowded and abandon the purchase. Sliding door units are an excellent alternative for narrow, high-traffic corridors to maintain accessibility without blocking the path.

8. Ensure Proper Ventilation and Energy Efficiency

Placing a refrigerator in a busy area often means placing it near other equipment or in tight corners. However, for a unit to maintain temperature and operate efficiently, it needs "breathing room." Never push a display fridge flush against a wall unless it is a front-breathing unit designed for built-in installation. Overheating compressors lead to failure, food spoilage, and massive energy bills.

If you are unsure about the ventilation requirements for a specific spot in your floor plan, the experts at Canadian Commercial Appliance can guide you toward units with the right intake and exhaust configurations for your specific layout.

9. Use Lighting as a Beacon

In a crowded store, light attracts the eye. Modern display refrigerators with high-intensity, energy-efficient LED lighting act as beacons in high-traffic areas. The lighting should not only be bright but also colour-correct for the product; warm light for bakeries and delis, and crisp, cool white light for beverages and dairy. Ensure the glass is always clean and free of condensation. A fogged-up glass door is a barrier to sales. Look for units with heated glass or anti-fog coatings to ensure your merchandise is always popping, even in humid environments.

10. Strategize for Restocking Efficiency

A high-traffic area means high product turnover. If your staff has to block the aisle with a pallet jack to restock the fridge during rush hour, you are killing sales and frustrating customers. Position your high-volume display units so they are easily accessible from the back (pass-through units) or ensure they are located near stockroom access points to minimize travel time. Rear-loading coolers are particularly effective in high-traffic zones because staff can refill the shelves from inside the walk-in or a rear corridor without ever obstructing the customer’s view or path.

11. Create "Speed Bumps" with Island Displays

Long, straight aisles encourage customers to walk quickly, often scanning past products without stopping. Placing "island" style refrigerated cases in the middle of wide aisles or open floor plans acts as a "speed bump." It forces customers to slow down and navigate around the unit, increasing the likelihood that they will notice the products inside. These islands are perfect for seasonal specials, promotional items, or new product launches that need 360-degree visibility.

12. Maintenance and Aesthetic Integration

Nothing ruins the appeal of a high-traffic area faster than a loud, rattling, or dirty refrigerator. High-visibility units need to be kept in pristine condition. This means regular condenser coil cleaning to keep the noise down and the efficiency up. Furthermore, the unit should visually match your brand. Sleek, stainless steel finishes work well for modern industrial aesthetics, while black vinyl-coated units might suit a moody café vibe better.

When your equipment breaks down or looks outdated, it reflects poorly on the products inside. Partnering with a reliable supplier ensures you have access to durable equipment that can withstand the rigours of high-traffic environments.

The Cold Hard Truth About Placement

Strategic placement of your display refrigeration is a low-cost, high-impact lever for increasing sales. It transforms your cooling equipment from a utility cost into a profit center. By considering traffic patterns, customer psychology, and the specific needs of premium products like those requiring tuna freezers, you can create a shopping environment that feels intuitive to the customer and profitable for you.

For refrigeration options that optimize your store's refrigeration layout, contact Canadian Commercial Appliance today at 1-800-393-0120 to discuss your needs with industry experts who can help you choose the perfect equipment for your high-traffic zones.