How Outdoor Enclosure Systems are Unlocking Flexibility in Grocery Refrigeration
Grocery retailers are always facing pressure to maximize store space, provide a safe work environment and protect their investment. One solution is - quite literally - thinking outside the box. Outdoor enclosure systems are emerging as a smart and scalable way to house refrigeration equipment without sacrificing valuable indoor square footage or operational efficiency.
At Kysor Warren, we’re helping leading grocers rethink how and where refrigeration systems are installed. With our outdoor enclosure solutions, we're offering more than just weather protection...we’re delivering space-saving, cost-effective flexibility for stores of all sizes.
What Is an Outdoor Enclosure System?
An outdoor enclosure system is a weatherproof, purpose-built structure designed to house refrigeration racks, electrical panels, valve stations, and related equipment outside the store - often on the roof or in adjacent ground-level spaces. These enclosures are engineered for durability, ease of access, and full protection from the elements.
They can be customized for centralized or distributed refrigeration systems and are ideal for both new construction and retrofit projects.
Why Are Grocers Turning to Outdoor Enclosures?
Maximized Floor Space
Every square foot inside a store matters. Traditional refrigeration setups often require large indoor mechanical rooms that eat into potential sales floor or storage space. By moving that equipment outside, grocers reclaim valuable real estate for inventory, merchandise, new departments, or customer experience enhancements.
For urban or small-format stores, where space is at a premium, this benefit alone can be a game-changer.
Flexible Store Design and Layout
Outdoor enclosure systems allow for greater flexibility during store planning. Without needing to carve out mechanical space indoors, architects and store planners can design more freely, optimizing for shopper flow, product placement, and future expansion.
Plus, these enclosures can be sized and configured to match your current refrigeration needs or with the ability to scale up as operations grow.
Simplified Installation and Maintenance
Because enclosures are prefabricated and modular, installation is typically faster and cleaner than building or retrofitting an indoor mechanical room. This reduces disruption to store operations and can help accelerate project timelines.
Maintenance teams also benefit from easy, outdoor access, with no need to navigate store interiors or restrict customer areas during service calls.
Sustainability, Delivered
Outdoor enclosures support Kysor Warren’s broader mission of delivering sustainable refrigeration solutions. By pairing these enclosures with energy-efficient components, grocers can significantly reduce their environmental impact, all while improving store operations.
Outdoor enclosure systems are more than just protective shells. They’re strategic tools that help grocery retailers save space, boost flexibility, and support sustainable growth.
At Kysor Warren, we’re committed to helping our customers think beyond the traditional, and that starts with smarter ways to house the heart of your refrigeration system.
Ready to take your operations outside? Let’s talk.