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 COâ‚‚: How Hillphoenix’s Innovative Solutions Can Transform Your Business
Unlocking the full potential of COâ‚‚ As sustainability and energy efficiency become top priorities for retailers, COâ‚‚ 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, COâ‚‚ThermaBoost, and Parallel Compression, are designed to solve real-world challenges while optimizing operations across store formats. Unlock the Power of COâ‚‚ThermaBoost Optimized for all store sizes, COâ‚‚ThermaBoost 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 [...]
The Food Retailer’s Guide to Holiday Merchandising for Inflation-Wary Shoppers
The holiday season is right around the corner, but your shoppers are worried about more than dry turkey and overcooked stuffing. A whopping 86% of US adults name the cost of groceries as a source of stress in their lives, according to the latest research. In fact, the cost of groceries ranks higher than any other financial stressor, and it’s impacting shopper behavior. This isn’t breaking news to food retailers. Inflation was one of the hottest topics at this year’s IDDBA show, with presenters from every corner of the industry exploring consumer sentiment about rising prices. We captured a few [...]
3 Merchandising Tips to Connect With Meal Planning Shoppers
Meal planning is here to stay, and it presents a big opportunity for food retailers. Between inflation and economic uncertainty, shoppers are increasingly budget-conscious. That means more strategic purchasing, more planning around meals, and more cooking at home. In fact, at least 2 out of 3 shoppers do some degree of meal planning, according to research from FMI’s The Power of Foodservice at Retail Report. What Can Food Retailers Do to Build Loyalty With Today’s Meal Planning Shoppers? The shift toward more meal planning and home cooking opens up opportunities for food retailers to inspire shopper loyalty with innovative merchandising [...]
How to Attract Inflation-Wary Shoppers With Foodservice at Food Retail
Rising costs and inflation are shaping shopper behavior. Since the pandemic, there has been a shift toward meal planning, meal prepping and dining at home that puts food retailers in a good position to win market share. That’s because more than ever, shoppers are looking for value—and the latest research shows they are finding it in prepared foodservice items.  According to data from FMI’s The Power of Foodservice at Retail Report, more than half of shoppers say deli prepared foods offer a good value. When it comes to choosing between a fast-casual restaurant and prepared foods from a food retailer, [...]
