“Refrigeration is a dream in sales, but a nightmare in maintenance.”

The dream in sales

Perishable goods are the heart of supermarket sales:

• In the first half of 2024, perishables accounted for 44.3% of all supermarket purchases in Brazil, up from 43.98% in the same period in 2023 (Source: AC Hub and ABRAS – Brazilian Supermarket Association).
• These items are critical for attracting shoppers and have a direct impact on store competitiveness.

But without efficient refrigeration systems, that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare — with product losses and serious hits to revenue.

The cost of inefficiency

Keeping refrigeration systems running smoothly is a constant challenge:

• According to the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization), 40% of food losses in developing countries are due to cold chain failures.
• Additionally, refrigeration breakdowns can lead to up to 30% loss in perishable stock, according to the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR).
• Reactive maintenance costs 50% more than preventive maintenance — and often fails to prevent major financial loss.

The energy consumption nightmare

Refrigeration is also one of the biggest drivers of energy costs:

• It accounts for 30% to 50% of energy consumption in supermarkets (Source: Green Cooling Initiative).
• And in Brazil — where electricity is among the most expensive in the world — that translates to a significant operational burden (Sources: IEA – International Energy Agency; ANEEL – Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency).

Without optimization and smart technology, refrigeration stops being an asset and becomes a budgetary burden.

This conversation left me thinking about how we, as a sector, can become agents of change in such a strategic area.

And you — how are you dealing with the challenges of refrigeration and energy efficiency in your business?

Send me a message. Let’s turn challenges into opportunities — together.

Sources:
FAO – https://lnkd.in/d5CP66vp
Green Cooling / GIZ – https://lnkd.in/dgGu-cY9