Open vs. Closed Refrigeration Cabinets Impact on Sales: Monoprix Place de Paris Store in Luxembourg

Open vs. Closed: Customers Behavior & Sales Performance

Open refrigeration cabinets naturally encourage impulse buying because they provide immediate and effortless access to products. Shoppers can quickly reach in, browse, and make spontaneous decisions without any physical barriers, creating a sense of convenience and speed.

In contrast, closed cabinets with glass doors introduce a small but noticeable interruption in the shopping flow, as customers must physically open a door before selecting a product. This can slightly reduce impulsive behavior, especially for low-involvement purchases. Although improved temperature control in closed units can also enhance product freshness, which might indirectly support sales by improving product quality perception.

At Monoprix Place de Paris, open cabinets as the end cases to the big islands help preserve impulse-driven purchases, while closed units support essential product shopping.

Open vs. Closed: Energy Impact

The difference in energy consumption between open and closed refrigeration cabinets is substantial. Open cabinets continuously lose cold air to the surrounding environment, forcing refrigeration systems to work harder and increasing overall energy usage. Luckily, all FREOR NDL JUPITER multidecks are standardly equipped with Dual Airflow technology, which prevents cold air from escaping the product display area and results in up to 20% in energy savings.

Closed refrigeration cabinets with glass doors significantly reduce this energy loss by maintaining a stable internal temperature, often leading to energy savings of up to 50%, which is still significantly higher than open units equipped with Dual Airflow technology. This reduction not only lowers operational expenses but also contributes to sustainability goals by decreasing carbon emissions.

The implementation at Monoprix Place de Paris reflects how the store prioritizing energy savings, with the majority of refrigeration units closed to maximize energy efficiency across the store.

Final Verdict

The growing evidence points to closed cabinets as the preferred solution for modern retail environments, primarily due to their outstanding energy efficiency. However, the layout and merchandising strategy play a crucial role in the effectiveness of refrigeration equipment. While open units can be effective in high-impact areas, such as promotional zones and impulse-driven displays, we recommend using them strategically and limiting their use rather than relying on them as the primary option. Closed refrigeration cabinets offer a more sustainable and efficient cooling solution and are ideal for most product categories, especially everyday items that customers seek out.

When supported by strong merchandising, clear visibility, and thoughtful layout design, they can maintain sales performance while significantly improving energy efficiency. The layout at Monoprix Place de Paris, implemented by our partner in Luxembourg, Sabcolux, demonstrates this approach, showing that closed cabinets should form the core of refrigeration systems, complemented by selectively placed open units to enhance visibility and drive impulse purchases.