A Conversation with Kelly Sayko, IDDBA and Supermarket News Champion of Change
Kelly Sayko’s passion for food retail is contagious, and we are thrilled to see the industry taking notice. As Marketing Manager for Hillphoenix, she brings deep industry expertise and an unwavering commitment to making an impact for our customers. That’s why she has been recognized as a 2026 Champion of Change by IDDBA and Supermarket News. Read some of Kelly’s story in her own words below, where she shares insights into her success. What Makes a Champion of Change in Food Retail? Champions of Change is an award that celebrates emerging and established leaders in the retail bakery, deli, foodservice [...]
How EOL Testing Provides A Seamless Startup Experience
In commercial and industrial refrigeration, reliability is essential. Downtime costs add up quickly, from disrupted operations to spoiled products. Startup is the moment when any overlooked issue becomes immediately visible. For a seamless startup experience, each component of your refrigeration system or refrigerated display case must work in harmony, from wiring and sensors to valves and controllers. Loose connections, miswired components or faulty parts can turn a straightforward startup into an expensive service event. Our team at Hillphoenix works to eliminate those issues long before your equipment reaches the store. Through our End‑of‑Line (EOL) Testing process, every refrigeration system is [...]
Merchandising Trends to Capture Today’s Meal Planners
Today more than ever, shoppers are eating dinner at home. A whopping 4 out of 5 people prepare dinner at home at least 4 nights a week, and more than 1 in 4 prepare dinner at home every night, according to the latest The Power of Foodservice at Retail Report. With more shoppers eating at home, meal planning is on the rise, too—and that’s where food retailers can help. Here’s how you can win over the 38% of shoppers who said they would like their grocery store to be more helpful in meal planning. Create a Destination for Complete Meal [...]
3 Ways to Boost Deli Sales Through Your In-Store Experience
Experienced food retailers know how much merchandising impacts shopper behavior. In the deli department, this is especially true. The latest Power of Foodservice at Retail Report reveals that 61% of shoppers learn about deli-prepared offerings just by walking through the store. That’s great news for food retailers looking to increase deli sales, because it means your shoppers are on the lookout for fresh, convenient options as soon as they walk in the door. Here’s how to use your in-store experience to build the kind of awareness of your deli items that drives sales. Dynamic Displays To capture shoppers' attention as [...]
3 Tips to Elevate Your Store’s Foodservice Reputation
More shoppers are turning to retail foodservice, according to the latest The Power of Foodservice at Retail Report. Department, dollar and unit performance all increased for prepared foods and deli foodservice over the last year. But there’s still a gap between what shoppers are looking for and what they find. Half of shoppers report that their store’s prepared food is only somewhat appetizing at best. Smart food retailers use these merchandising pro tips to bridge the gap and show shoppers the quality and value they’re looking for—increasing basket ring in the process. Freshness Is the Foundation. “Ensure the quality and [...]
Scaling Without Friction: How AMS Managed a 20-State Rollout for a National Retail Leader
When a major national food retailer needed to upgrade 60+ sites across 20 different states, they faced a classic logistical nightmare: fragmentation. Typically, a project of this magnitude requires hiring dozens of different contractors, each with their own standards, timelines, and communication styles. Instead, this retailer turned to the Hillphoenix® AMS Group to act as their single engine for growth. The Retailer's Challenge: 60 Sites, 20 States, Zero Room for Error The customer's initiative wasn't just about installing equipment; it was about consistency. Managing multiple regional contractors would have meant juggling 20+ different points of contact, inconsistent installation quality, and [...]
Create Spectacular Holiday Food Destinations in 2 Steps
Looking for inspired holiday display ideas that will really make an impact? The merchandising experts at Hillphoenix are here to help you take the everyday and turn it into something spectacular. Creating dynamic, attention-grabbing destinations in your store is key to drawing in shoppers, providing a memorable experience and driving those all-important repeat visits. The good news is, you can create a holiday food destination in two simple steps—without a massive budget or pricey designer. Our two-step approach can be applied to any holiday in any department in your food retail store. How We Turned a Frozen Food End Cap [...]
Achieving Scale: 10,000+ Linear Feet of Close the Case Installed Across Multiple Major Retailers in One Year
In today’s competitive retail landscape, efficiency and sustainability are non-negotiable. For grocery and convenience stores, one of the most impactful upgrades is retrofitting open refrigerated cases with glass doors, a process often referred to as Close the Case (CTC). But for large, multi-state chains, managing this transformation can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare of sourcing, scheduling, and contractor coordination. This is where the Hillphoenix® AMS Group excels, turning a daunting multi-vendor project into a single, seamless, turnkey solution. In a landmark demonstration of operational scale and program reliability, our team has successfully deployed over 10,000 linear feet of our [...]
The Power of CO₂: How Hillphoenix’s Innovative Solutions Can Transform Your Business
Unlocking the full potential of CO₂ As sustainability and energy efficiency become top priorities for retailers, CO₂ refrigeration systems are emerging as a powerful solution. At Hillphoenix, we're helping businesses unlock the full potential of natural refrigerants, delivering performance, reliability, and long-term savings. Our innovative technologies, including Low-Pressure Ejectors, CO₂ThermaBoost, and Parallel Compression, are designed to solve real-world challenges while optimizing operations across store formats. Unlock the Power of CO₂ThermaBoost Optimized for all store sizes, CO₂ThermaBoost offers a game-changing solution for retailers looking to reduce their carbon footprint. With maximized heat reclaim, this technology is: 6x more efficient than electric [...]
From 4 Feet of Water to Fully Operational: How The Hillphoenix® AMS Group Rebuilt a Retailer’s Refrigeration System in Just 3 Weeks
When a disaster strikes, a retailer's primary goal is simple: get back to business as fast as possible. But what happens when a tropical storm or heavy rain floods your store with 3 to 4 feet of water, completely compromising critical infrastructure like your refrigeration system? That was the devastating challenge faced by one of our valued retail partners. The water damage was extensive, requiring a full tear-down and rebuild of the entire store structure. The clock was ticking, and the priority was a swift, expert recovery. The Immediate Call for Expertise Having worked with the Hillphoenix AMS Group on [...]
