Grocery store refrigeration units present unique challenges in displaying product and pricing information. Cold temperatures, condensation, and heavy shopper traffic can quickly damage or displace standard hardware.
When shelves are bumped by bulky items like milk cartons or beverage packs, poorly fitted strips or labels are often the first to fall. At the same time, valuable space on cooler doors and bunker cases offers untapped opportunities for merchandising and product promotion.
Retail display hardware designed specifically for grocery store operating environments ensures that pricing stays accurate, signage remains secure, and every inch of space is used effectively.
Price Channel Challenges in Cold Grocery Environments
Refrigeration units place demands on display hardware that ordinary shelf channels cannot meet.
Problem: In freezing conditions, plastic rails can lose flexibility and crack, while adhesives may weaken when exposed to condensation. Cold cases, freezers, and bunker units require hardware designed to withstand moisture, low temperatures, and frequent use.
Solution: Kinter provides label solutions created for cold grocery environments, delivering reliable performance and durability in places where standard options often fail.
Kinter’s label holders include: Cooler/Freezer Shelf Channel Label Holder and the Info Strip for Cooler/Freezer Shelving.
Choosing the Right Label Holder for Wire Shelves is Critical
Wire shelf fronts vary in height and diameter depending on the manufacturer, making careful measurement an essential first step in selecting hardware. Even slight changes in wire thickness or spacing can influence how firmly a label strip attaches, and that connection plays a significant role in how well it holds up against frequent customer use and the movement of heavy products.
Problem: Wire shelf fronts of different shapes and sizes in refrigerated areas pose even more challenges for display hardware. Refrigerated cases expose wire shelves to steady moisture and frequent temperature swings. A reliable label holder should hold firm under these conditions and avoid bending or loosening as time passes.
Solution: Choosing the right wire label shelf holder for refrigerated areas helps maintain clear, accurate pricing and preserves a polished, organized look in cold cases. Adjustable options make it easier to fit a range of shelf types, and holders built for double-wire shelves lock in tightly to reduce the chance of slipping or being knocked out of place.
Kinter provides multiple options to fit double-wire shelves in refrigerated areas, such as the Narrow Double-Wire Shelf Info Strip and the Adjustable Double-Wire Shelf Gripper Info Strip. For electronic shelf labels, patented ratcheting mechanisms make it easy to adjust to different shelf sizes, as detailed in Kinter’s ESL solutions.
"One of the biggest mistakes we see is assuming all wire shelves are the same. A holder that’s even slightly off in size won’t stay secure once the shelf is loaded with heavy products or exposed to condensation. Taking precise measurements and choosing hardware built for those conditions keeps pricing in place and saves grocery stores from constant rework." - Ryan Masek, Director of Engineering at Kinter
Preventing Damage to Shelf Signage in High-Traffic Areas
Heavy refrigerated items and constant customer traffic put shelf fronts under a great deal of stress. Gallons of milk, beverage multipacks, and large cartons are often stored on the lowest shelves, where they are lifted and set down repeatedly throughout the day. This movement increases the chance of labels and signage being bumped, scraped, or completely dislodged.
Problem: Loose, less durable display hardware that isn’t designed for refrigerated use creates extra work for store staff. Dislodged pricing labels mean shelves may not display clear pricing information, which can directly impact sales and consumer satisfaction.
Solution: Sturdier tag holders keep pricing information locked in place. Kinter offers flexible options designed to handle impact without damage, helping keep signage secure and reliable. Stronger materials and snug-fitting options also reduce the need for frequent replacements, keeping displays organized and professional while saving both time and money.
Kinter’s Adjustable Double-Wire Shelf Gripper and the FlipUp Double-Wire Shelf with C-Channel help protect against accidental dislodgement and maintain accurate pricing displays.
Maximizing Refrigeration Unit Display Space
Refrigeration units are essential for keeping products fresh and visually appealing, but they also offer additional selling spaces beyond the shelves.
Problem: You're missing out on high-impact, usable space if you’re not already using refrigeration surfaces for product promotion. Every surface, from cooler doors to the open areas above product displays, can be used to highlight promotions or encourage impulse buys:
- Vertical cooler doors are especially effective because shoppers naturally focus on them while reaching for items inside.
- Adding bins for small grab-and-go products and merchandising strips that hold complementary items can add revenue to your refrigerated aisles.
- Suction cup holders used to display targeted signage use space that would otherwise go unused.
Solution: Promotional areas affixed on or near refrigeration units help draw attention to new items, seasonal promotions, or brand partnerships without taking away from the products already stocked inside the case.
Kinter offers a variety of solutions to enhance the display space of refrigerated units, including the Vented Bin for Glass Doors, Suction Cup Sign Holder, K-Frame Flag Suction Cup Holder, and the Cooler Door Merchandising Strip. Horizontal bunker cases also offer valuable space above the merchandise for signage and complementary products, supported by solutions like the Bunker Case Cross Merchandiser and the Heavy-Duty Plastic Sign Frame.
Integrating ideas into small spaces doesn’t have to be a challenge. Read our blog post on small space merchandising for hacks that maximize every inch of space in refrigerated areas.
Electronic Shelf Label Holders for Refrigeration Units
Electronic shelf labels (ESLs) are gaining ground in grocery stores as a practical way to manage pricing more efficiently and cut down on labor. Unlike paper tags, ESLs can be updated across the entire store simultaneously, keeping prices accurate and consistent with store policies and regulations.
Problem: While the use of ESLs is growing in the grocery environment, refrigeration units present challenges that require more than a basic clip or adhesive strip. Cold air, moisture, and frequent shopper activity can cause ill-fitting holders to shift, leaving electronic shelf labels crooked, knocked out of place or damaged and unusable. To prevent this, durable holders designed to stay locked in position and withstand temperature changes and condensation are essential.
"ESL technology works best when the holder is designed for the environment. In refrigerated spaces, it’s not just about clipping a label to a shelf—it’s about securing it against cold, moisture, and constant traffic so the system delivers the accuracy and efficiency it was built for." - Ryan Masek, Director of Engineering at Kinter
Learn more about the difference between ESLs and traditional label holders in our blog: ESL Holders vs. Traditional Label Holders: Key Differences Retailers Should Know.
Solutions: Kinter offers ESL holders for coolers, freezers, and bunker cases with features such as ratcheting mechanisms that adapt to different wire shelf sizes and protective designs that shield labels from bumps. These solutions keep labels secure and visible while helping stores maintain a neat, professional appearance that improves the shopping experience.
Request Kinter’s ESL catalog to explore solutions that fit the specific needs of refrigerated environments.
Choosing the right display hardware for refrigerated cases can significantly improve store operations and customer experience.
Durable label holders, reinforced signage options, and specialized ESL solutions help keep pricing accurate, signage secure, and every inch of cooler space working to its full potential. With an optimized setup, grocery retailers can reduce maintenance issues, protect against lost sales, and create a cleaner, more organized presentation for shoppers.
Kinter has the expertise and product range to help you find the best solutions for your refrigeration units. Explore the complete line of cooler and freezer hardware in the Kinter catalog or contact Kinter today to discuss your specific needs.