The average shopper spends 37 minutes in the supermarket per visit. This might sound leisurely, but when factoring in the amount of time it takes to peruse each aisle, search for specific products, queue at the tills and put away their shopping, it doesn’t leave much time for browsing.
Having merchandise clearly on display is crucial, as consumers just don’t have time to be rifling through the shelves. Freezer doors that easily fog after being opened by shoppers are a real problem for retailers, as they obscure the view inside the cabinet, and can take a significant amount of time to clear again. If the freezer doors in your commercial premises are prone to fogging, it could be taking a hit on your sales.
Why do freezer doors fog?
When a freezer door is opened, the warm air from inside the shop enters and mixes with the cooler air inside the freezer. The temperature difference between the two causes the moisture in the air to form water droplets on the door, which scatter the light and create a foggy appearance.
The reason why it’s such a problem in supermarkets and grocery stores is because the constant flow of customers means the atmosphere is more humid – and the more moisture in the air, the more fog will appear. If the doors are constantly being opened and closed, the condensation will continue to build up.
How do foggy doors impact sales?
With so many time-pushed shoppers, many simply just don’t have time to wait around for the freezer doors to clear, or to keep opening doors to see what’s in each freezer. If they can’t see what they need at a glance, they are liable to walk away and not make a purchase.
Another major factor is that not being able to see products can reduce the amount of impulse purchases made. A study showed that 88% of British consumers make at least one impulse purchase a month, with almost half of these (45%) being made at a supermarket. If your customers can’t easily see your products, they are far less likely to make an impulse purchase. Considering that the average person spends £50.43 a month on impulse purchases, this can really add up, which directly affects your revenue.
Foggy doors can also be a negative signal to shoppers regarding the maintenance of the store. They might assume that a seal in the door is broken, and question the safety of the products in the freezer – or even just generally get the impression that the store is poorly maintained. Perception of your premises and products matter, so making the effort to keep a store looking its best is key.
How does anti-fog film stop freezer doors from fogging?
One of the most effective ways to prevent freezer doors from fogging is by installing anti-fog film, like Clarifoil®. As condensation is caused by the interaction between warm air and a cold surface, anti-fog film is designed to counteract this. Anti-fog film contains hydrophilic properties, which means that it attracts water. A hydrophilic surface will actually cause the water molecules to spread more evenly across the surface, rather than grouping together as water droplets, which means that the glass will remain clear.
The anti-fog film also changes the surface energy of the freezer door. As hydrophilic coatings attract water, the film contains anti-fog additives that reduce surface tension, which means the moisture to form a thin, transparent layer. Some films absorb small amounts of moisture, which is released back into the air once the temperature and humidity is more stable. This means that a freezer door that is constantly being opened and closed can stay clear.
Unlike other methods of clearing fog – like heated doors – anti-fog film is a passive energy saving option that doesn’t need any energy consumption at all – so not only is it better for the environment, but it incurs significant cost savings over time. Anti-fog film is extremely durable and gets to work straight away, so there is no downtime. It’s easy to maintain, as it is designed to be durable, resistant to scratching and can be cleaned using standard products.
Prevent freezer door fogging with OVAGLAS
If you’re looking for an anti-fog solution for commercial freezer doors, Clarifoil® Anti-Fog film is proven to prevent fogging and maintain glass transparency. Plus, Clarifoil® anti-fog window film has saved businesses over 148,881 metric tons of CO2, which equates to £68 million of savings on energy bills.
We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have about anti-fog window film or our professional installation services – get in touch with the OVAGLAS team.
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