What Makes CO2 the Future of Refrigerants?
Ever since the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment, the search for the most sustainable refrigerant expanded in the commercial refrigeration industry. Historically, refrigerants like Ammonia, Propane, and most especially Carbon Dioxide (CO2) have been widely used in the 20th century. Although CO2 is one of the most benign refrigerants, many were hesitant to consider it as a viable option due to its high pressures. Fortunately, several years later, with the advancement of technological innovations in the refrigeration industry, CO2 is now one of the most promising refrigerants being used in food retail today and in the future. Sustainable Properties In [...]
To Retrofit or Build New Equipment: Retailers Dilemma amid Upcoming Refrigeration Regulations
The future of the commercial refrigeration industry is looking bright, but some challenges remain uncertain. There is one thing we are sure of though: refrigeration regulations are emerging, and it will greatly impact our industry in one way or another, coming sooner rather than later. Compliance with refrigeration regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy, the U.S. Climate Alliance, the Natural Resources of Canada, and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) pose challenges to food-retailers across all sectors. These challenges will likely include adjustment to retail operations, refrigeration maintenance, and ensuring comprehensive knowledge on the [...]
The CO2 Equator — Going … Going … Almost Gone!
The game is on! Synthetic refrigerants got out to an early lead but natural refrigerants have come roaring back. CO2 is up to bat and is poised to hit a home run, already having some key hits in this game with demonstrated lower energy and maintenance costs in both commercial and industrial refrigeration applications as well as providing the peace-of-mind of having a more “future-proof” investment. Anyone who has ever listened to a baseball game has surely heard the phrase, “Going … going … gone!” It is beloved by baseball announcers when describing a home run as it approaches and [...]
Why Organic Food Sales are Booming Right Now and What’s in it for Food Retailers
The current environment has accelerated not just the adoption of technology in food retail stores, but also with the increase in consumer purchases of organic food. Organic labels have already seen an upward trend in 2019 with sales topped at $50 billion. Right now, it seems like several factors including health, sustainability, and the pandemic have pushed it even further. According to the 2020 Organic Industry Survey by Organic Trade Association (OTA), people are more conscious of eating more organic food and consuming organic products today more than ever. This holds true as Nielsen's data reports organic food and drinks [...]
Plant Based Food is Here to Stay
Gone are the days when consumers can only eat meat from animals. Now, the emerging trend of plant-based food is going above and beyond market shares. As the younger generations seek sustainability amid food crisis, plant-based meat, milk, and cellular-based seafood are on the rise. Make room for plant-based foods on your supermarket shelves because it isn’t going anywhere this 2020 and beyond. Meatless Meat Plant-based meat was invented to address the greatest environmental threat which is the dreadful impact of the use of animals on food tech on the global environment. Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger are the pioneering [...]
Are Robots the Future of Grocery Stores?
The evolution in the food retail industry as we know it has completely changed over the past few months. E-commerce stores have shot up, automation has been widely adopted in the food retail industry to keep up with the demands of consumers and technology has significantly impacted our industry for the better. Now, with the proliferation of intelligent machines in the food retail industry hoping to improve operations, are robots the future of grocery stores? Here are some of the reasons why they may be: Addition to Your Workforce Investing in robots for retail operations free up store associates on [...]
The Future is Accelerated: Full-on E-commerce Adoption is Just Around the Corner
The past few months have accelerated the digital strategies of some food retailers in the country. Some implemented makeshift e-commerce platforms to cater to customer needs and some reinforced their in-store online initiatives, like store mobile apps, in the hope of adapting in today’s innovative times. Due to recent events, we were greatly propelled into a shift to the digital world, but what are food-retailers doing to prepare themselves for the e-commerce revolution? Food Retailers are Getting Agile E-commerce sales records continue to surge this year. Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey recorded up to $7.2 billion of e-commerce grocery [...]
What Would You Give for a Truly “Future-Proof” Investment
“Change is the only constant in life.” Somewhere along the line, most of us have heard that saying. After all, it’s been around a long time — a matter of fact, most people would never guess that the author was a Greek pioneer of wisdom named Heraclitus who lived around 500 BC in the days before Plato and Aristotle. It’s hard to argue that the statement is anything but an unequivocal truism. We face changes every day of our lives. The impact of those changes on each of us can run the gamut from negligible to life-altering. Ignoring the inevitable [...]
CARB GWP Refrigerants Ban – Frequently Asked Questions
The California Air Resource Board (CARB) passed a ruling to ban certain high GWP refrigerants, effective JANUARY 1st 2020. Many food retail companies have questions regarding these regulations. The following Q&A should help clarify the type of equipment effected and the timelines involved. If you need more information email us at info@hillphoenix.com or call us at 770-285-3264. Q1: What is the effective date for this regulation? A: The original ruling went into effect on 1/1/2019. The effective dates provided in the table above refer to the date a Purchase Order was received for the equipment. Self-Contained Medium-Temperature Units with a [...]
Food Retail Stores and Government Agencies Establishing More Stringent Regulations
Food-retail business strategies have shifted over the past few weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some retail stores implemented online digital platforms to serve their communities in need and some food-retail establishments such as restaurants and brick and mortar shops implemented delivery and take out only to help keep the lights on. However, in grocery stores, where people still go for essentials, shopping as we know it has changed. In-store navigation altered drastically to abide by state regulations and prioritize consumer safety concerns. As the pandemic evolves, so does grocery shopping regulations and restrictions. The Case for Grocery Stores Social [...]