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Taking Over a Store with Old Refrigeration Equipment: How to Decide What to Keep and What to Replace

Author: Echipa Modaco

Taking over an existing store comes with many quick decisions: contracts, staff, stock. Among the most costly and least discussed is the question of refrigeration equipment. Do you keep the old display fridges or replace them? The wrong answer can mean either unjustified expenditure or high energy consumption and stock losses. Here is how to approach this decision methodically.

First step: inventory and actual condition of the equipment

Before making any decision, carry out a full inventory of the refrigeration equipment on the premises. For each unit, note: the type (horizontal display fridge, vertical display fridge, chest freezer, cold room, refrigerated cabinet), the year of manufacture (if you can find it on the rating plate), the brand and model.

Ask an authorised technician to carry out a quick inspection of the refrigeration installation before you sign any takeover agreement — or at least within the first few days after the takeover. The inspection should cover:

  • the condition of the compressor and the refrigeration system (presence of refrigerant leaks);
  • the operation of the defrost system;
  • temperature accuracy versus the set point;
  • the condition of the door seals, lighting, and mechanical structure;
  • energy consumption versus the technical specifications.

Any unit that can no longer maintain the set temperature or that visibly consumes significantly more than its declared energy class is a clear candidate for replacement.

The criteria on which you base your decision: keep or replace

Age of the equipment

Commercial refrigeration equipment has, under normal conditions of use and maintenance, a service life of 10–15 years. A unit approaching this limit will generate increasingly frequent repair costs and high energy consumption compared with current models. If it has not undergone recent refurbishment, calculate the total estimated maintenance cost over the next two years and compare it with the price of a new or refurbished unit.

Compatibility with the products you will sell

Display fridges are not interchangeable. A ventilated display fridge for fresh meat allows temperature adjustment between 0 and +8 °C — for fresh meat it is set to 0/+2 °C — and is designed specifically for this type of product. You cannot use it effectively for dairy or cold cuts without compromising on temperature or humidity. Humidity control is only available on display fridges dedicated to meat ageing, not on standard presentation display fridges.

If the profile of the store you are taking over differs from what you intend to sell, the existing equipment may be unsuitable even if it is in working order.

Appearance and impact on product presentation

A yellowed display fridge with poor lighting or permanently misted glass sends a negative signal to customers. If you want to reposition the store, the appearance of the equipment matters just as much as the arrangement of the products.

What to do with the equipment you are decommissioning

Refrigeration equipment taken out of service constitutes waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and cannot be disposed of as ordinary waste. Modaco can arrange the collection of old equipment on request, at a cost, with the rate communicated in advance. Details about this procedure can be found on the dedicated page for old equipment collection (WEEE).

What to replace and where to source it

Once you have established the list of equipment that needs to be replaced, you have several options:

  • New equipment from stock — available for fast delivery within 24–48 hours; delivery costs are shown at checkout.
  • Equipment made to order — including the horizontal display fridges from the VF1000, VF1000D, and VFX1000 series, manufactured by Modaco at its own workshop in Găești, also available in customer-specified dimensions; lead time is 15–25 working days.
  • Refurbished second-hand equipment — a viable alternative if the initial budget is limited; Modaco sells previously used equipment that has been refurbished before resale.

If you are fitting out a larger space or replacing several units at once, you can request a volume quote. The wholesale offer is available to companies purchasing equipment for their own operations, not for resale.

If you are a distributor or a retailer wishing to resell Modaco equipment, you can apply for the B2B Partner Programme, which includes a personalised partner discount, additional discounts on volume orders, and a product feed for your online store.

For a complete overview of the available range, you can download the Modaco product catalogue (PDF).

Plan the replacement in stages, not in a rush

Not all equipment needs to be replaced in the first week. Prioritise units that pose a risk to food safety or that are generating immediate costs (excessive consumption, repeated repairs). The remaining units can be replaced gradually, as the budget allows. What matters is having a clear plan and not leaving the decision until later when a unit fails in the middle of the busy season.

For a quote tailored to your situation, contact the Modaco team on 0727.324.787. Modaco sells exclusively to companies registered with a VAT number (CUI).