Attention all grocery retailers and specialty markets across British Columbia. Provincial utility provider BC Hydro has just launched new rebate programs effective June 1, 2010. These product incentive programs provide financial incentives to retailers seeking ways to incorporate energy-efficient products into their business.

Market Group Ventures, a Vancouver Island business that manufacturers and sells Econofrost night covers world-wide is excited at the rebate opportunity for local supermarkets and grocery stores to qualify for retrofit night covers on open refrigerated display cases.

For many years, BC Hydro has listed night covers as part of their rebate incentive program however, this newest launch showcases some of the highest prescriptive rebates for night covers available. Previously the rebate for vertical night covers was $9.00 per linear foot and now the rebate has jumped to $20.00 per linear foot. For horizontal display cases the rebate is $7.00 per linear foot.

Night covers are a great tool for supermarkets and specialty food shops to save energy, improve product freshness & appearance, reduce product shrink & discard rates and lower overall operating costs. As the leader in the night cover industry and with the support of local utility provider BC Hydro, Market Group Ventures is encouraging all local stores to take advantage of this opportunity to install Econofrost night covers and start saving immediately.

With minimum energy savings of 36% per hour used and with reductions up to 75% in product shrink, retailers are saving hundreds even thousands of dollars a month. And with a serviceable life of up to ten years, Econofrost provides a great return on investment.

Econofrost night covers are engineered for performance and durability and have been designed specifically for food retail applications, it is the number one night cover on the market.

Available in a variety of models and standard sizes (4ft, 6ft, 8ft linear lengths), Econofrost night covers supports retailers initiatives to lower energy consumption, stabilize case & product temperatures, optimize the efficiency of refrigeration equipment while contributing to a healthier environment.

In addition, night covers provide retailers with instant support and protection during power outages while longer-term measures are implemented. Using night covers during a single power outage event often pays for the installation of night covers.

Canadian Region Sales Manager, Trevor Brien tells us, “BC Hydro has long recognized the value of night covers and efforts of local retailers to make a difference in their energy usage and impact on the environment. We fully applaud the efforts of utility providers like BC Hydro who support implementing such rebate programs for worth while projects.”

Find the benefits of Econofrost night covers online by visiting www.econofrost.com or contact directly toll free at 1-800-519-1222. To request more information please send us an email at info@econofrost.com.

We’ve posted Econofrost Installation Videos on both our product site (http://www.econofrost.com/technical.html) as well as on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/MGVInc) if you would like to view them.

The MGV Team

Market Group Ventures Inc. (MGV Inc.) is very pleased to announce the addition of Scott Harrison to our North American Sales Team.

Scott brings 16 years of Sales experience in the HVACR Industry together with account management skills.   Having extensively travelled throughout the Southwest and Northwest in his previous position, Scott’s transition to managing the Western United States territory for MGV Inc is expected to be quite smooth.

We are excited to have Scott Harrison join our team and discover more about our products in retail merchandising solutions.  Furthermore, we are eager to work with Scott  as he further develops distribution in his territory and build on his knowledge and skills.

Fluent in English and French, we are certain Scott will be a definite asset to our North American Sales Team.

MGV, Inc. has supplied technology for the international retail food industry since 1975.

Market Group Ventures Inc. (MGV, Inc.) is happy to announce Rhonda Smith as our newest addition to the MGV Team. Rhonda joins our team in the position of Sales Assistant to the North American sales team.

Rhonda brings with her an array of skills including over 20 years of industrial sales, management and administrative experience to MGV, Inc. Furthermore, Rhonda brings with her an in-depth knowledge of industrial electrical systems and technical writing skills.

Her previous positions provided her with the necessary skills and knowledge to make the transition to our industry in retail merchandising solutions.

We are certain she will be a great asset in our continuing efforts to Promolux Lighting and Econofrost night covers to supermarkets worldwide and in providing excellent customer service.

MGV, Inc. has supplied technology for the international retail food industry since 1975.

Market Group Ventures Inc. (MGV, Inc.) is very pleased to announce the addition of Paola Levet, to our administrative team for Promolux Lighting International and Econofrost Reflective Night Covers. Paola will be working with our sales team to assist in all aspects of customer service and marketing for both products in our North American and International sales regions.

Paola brings eighteen years experience in Mexico and Canada to MGV, Inc., including positions as Assistant to the Commercial Director for Latin America of Johnson & Johnson and Director of Corporate and Government Relations-Mexico for The Trust for Sustainable Development. She is fluent in English and Spanish and has an International Business Diploma from the Troeller Institute for Global Studies, Mexico City. We are certain she will be a great asset in our continuing efforts to bring merchandising solutions to supermarkets worldwide.

MGV, Inc. has supplied technology for the international retail food industry since 1975.

While calls for a greener world increase, so do calls for changes in food production and marketing methods, driven largely by agencies like the United Nations and consumer trends. Increasing organic food production is one of those changes and has been called “a worldwide growth industry” as demand for organic food grows. Organic foods now fill large sections of the fresh vegetable and fruit display shelves in most supermarkets and are increasingly evident in meat and poultry departments. Organic food production is increasing to the extent that Marsha Laux, Agricultural Marketing Resource Center of Iowa State University, projects that everyday use of organic products of all kinds will be both accepted and routine by the year 2025.

Consumers expect that foods labeled “organic” are safe to eat, that produce is grown without the application of pesticides or artificial fertilizers, and that livestock are raised using organic feeds, without antibiotics or growth hormones. However, along with expectations that organic foods are safer, and perhaps fresher, there are some disadvantages buying organic. To get the assurances of food safety when we purchase foods with certified organic labels, we pay more. Costs of production and handling using organic protocols are higher all the way down the line to the retail store

Without the benefits of the very chemicals that keep produce fresh and crisp in transit and on the shelf, organic produce actually spoils more quickly. Of course, food spoilage in transport and on the shelf is natural since decay processes begin as soon as foods are harvested or before. But, organics generally have a shorter shelf life and retail merchandisers often take huge losses by having to trim organic produce and discard meat products, adding more to the final consumer price.

So what is the difference between handling organic and conventional food displays in the store? Without the protection of anti-bacterial agents, pathogens have started to multiply and to invade the cell walls of plants and animal tissue within hours of harvesting. Deterioration accelerates over time, and bacterial growth results in diminished flavor and triggers unpleasant odors, even when not harmful to human health. Bacterial contamination can become more dangerous to humans when goods sit too long in poor conditions and can result in food poisoning, at times with fatal results. Unknown contaminants, light, variable temperatures, and changing humidity contribute to diminishing quality as the food sits ready to be purchased. Obviously, once food is no longer appealing, it must be discounted or until it can no longer be sold.

Do organic vegetables, fruits and meat mean fresher products? NBC Today Show correspondent Janice Lieberman asked whether organic foods are actually any fresher than conventional products. The investigative reporter did some testing to find out and sent two samples each of lettuce, broccoli, chicken and milk to a lab for analysis. “The testers did not know which ones were organic and which were conventional.” said Lieberman. “As it turned out, the organic broccoli and lettuce had much higher levels of bacteria than the conventional. It’s not harmful bacteria, but it is bacteria that will spoil your produce much quicker. And what that means to the shopper who is spending more for organic, is the product will have a much shorter shelf life.” The inevitable signs of shortened shelf life and diminishing quality are shrinkage, fading, drying, and changes in texture and color that render foods less palatable and less desirable to customers.

Along with increasing science based methods available to preserve food—and to control the potential for food poisoning—comes greater consumer awareness and fears about potential health risks from eating contaminated foods. Food retailers are always aware of threats to the value of their goods and would ask whether organic food displays require special care in the retail supermarket. If so, what can Econofrost recommend? Econofrost night covers provide a logical solution that is easy to install, easy to operate, and can pay for themselves in months.

Clearly, perishable goods last longer in colder, more stable temperatures where bacterial growth is controlled. Market Group Ventures Inc., a world leader in providing retail technology solutions for merchandisers presents a solution in the form of thermal blinds that maintain optimal temperatures for preserving food freshness in refrigerated display cases that are open during the day. Studies have shown that using Econofrost thermal shields during nighttime hours when the store is closed extends product shelf life and have demonstrated reduced waste from daily produce trim up to 75%. By stabilizing the temperature of a refrigerated commercial display case overnight, the contents of the case remain colder during daytime hours—for as long as 15 hours after the night blinds are rolled up and out of the way during the day.

Keeping organic produce clean and hydrated also helps ensure food safety and integrityEconofrost night covers are hygienic and easily cleaned, and are made from a perforated fabric that prevents the accumulation of humidity that promotes mildew and cultivates bacterial growth. Econofrost thermal shields help control the temperature and humidity of perishable foods stored in refrigerated display coolers and keep the contents of refrigerated cabinets cooler for longer periods of time.

Extending shelf life is not the only economic benefit of Econofrost night covers. Display coolers that are open to warm store temperatures inevitably waste energy. Just by pulling down Econofrost night curtains while the store is closed, retail food stores prevent unnecessary energy losses and reduce heating and air conditioning costs. Where Econofrost woven aluminum night covers are installed, tests have shown energy savings to be as high as 37% to 50%.

Contact your local utility provider and ask about rebate programs that might be available in your area for the purchase of night covers. See our list of energy companies who participate in rebate programs for night covers.

Benefits of Econofrost Night Covers

More stable, cooler temperatures in refrigerated cabinets
Extended equipment life
Inventory protection during power outage
Control of shrinkage and reduce trim
Eligible for energy saving rebates from utility companies
Econofrost has made over 250,000 installations in nearly 30 countries.

Market Group Ventures, Inc, the parent corporation for Econofrost and Promolux Lighting International, has served the supermarket industry since 1975.

RIDGEFIELD Joe Ancona is a third-generation grocer who has embraced green technology and eco-friendly store design.

Founded by his grandfather, Joseph Ancona Sr., Ancona’s Market on Route 102 in Ridgefield has entered the 21st century in layout and product offerings.

Ancona grew up in the business, and after earning a bachelor’s degree in architecture and master’s of business administration degree, he returned to the market three years ago

His architectural training is in sustainable supply and environmentally friendly designs that are community and socially responsible. His personal interest is in natural foods that promote a healthy lifestyle

From re-usable cloth grocery bags to polished cement floors which don’t require the stripping and waxing with toxic chemicals that vinyl floor tiles do Ancona has made the market environmentally friendly

He and his uncle, John Ancona, are in the market every day.

My father was stepping back a bit from the day-to-day of the store, which led my uncle, John (Ancona) and I to sit down and talk about how we’d proceed with upgrading the market,” Joe Ancona said. “It needed a lot of renovations.”

By adding Econofrost night shades to all the open-faced refrigerators in the store, Ancona was able to cut electric consumption by 20 percent.

Given that our electric bill is about $18,000 a month, that’s a good savings,” he said. “For our meat case, with the Econofrost night shade, the refrigeration is better, which increases the shelf life of our meats.”

Please check http://www.connpost.com/ci_12556064 for the rest of the story

It is estimated that 75% of the supermarkets in North America are closed to the public for 6 to 8 hrs at night. With little effort, these supermarkets could claim dollars that are lost during the stores’ closed hours from unnecessary energy consumption and premature spoilage of many perishable products.

Open refrigerated display cases are the best way for retailers to present fresh merchandise to consumers. Unfortunately, these cases are also open to the effects of heat and UV radiation from the store environment.

Heat that travels and its effects
There is often a misconception that the refrigerated air escapes from the display case. However, heat or warm air is actually drawn toward the colder air, raising the temperatures in the display case; this causes merchandise to warm up and compressors to operate more frequently.

The warming of the refrigerated air at the surface of the display case causes a difference in temperature between the first foot and the back of the display shelves. Most consumers have occasionally noticed food products that are warmer at the front of the case than those deeper into the case. The placement of thermometers at the front and rear of open refrigerated display case shelves easily confirm this.

A refrigerated case full of products will show greater differences in temperature than an empty display case. Cold air does not flow as freely when blocked by stacks of merchandise within the case.

In addition, the merchandise itself will hold the temperature of its surroundings, helping to keep the colder rear areas cold and the warmer, more exposed open surfaces warm. More frequent compressor operation and exposed products must be tolerated so that consumers can shop freely, but when the store is closed, simple steps can be taken to reduce store energy consumption and extend product shelf life with ideal cold temperatures.

Creating a barrier at night.
To solve this problem, an efficient temperature barrier is needed between the opening of the display case and the store interior. The ideal thermal barrier arrangement must have several qualities to be effective in increasing store profit:
Reasonable cost and quick initial payback period;
Simple and quick to put in operation;
No interference with customer access to fresh merchandise when the store is open; >
No disturbance to the cosmetic appearance of the store;
Durable commercial quality;
Hygienic (will not rust or attract dust, mold, and mildew
Simple, quick cleaning maintenance that can be done when cleaning the case; and
Effective in the reflection of heat and UV radiation.

Some methods of closing cases have included plastic strip curtains and solid plastic curtains. Wildly escalating energy costs in led to the development of another type of material that can be used in open refrigerated display cases in supermarkets. Engineers and display case manufacturers provided consultation to conclude that reflective aluminum prevented 70% of the heat gain at the opening of a refrigerated case. Placing sheets of aluminum over open cases during closed hours was obviously not practical due to storage and handling problems. A vertical rolling curtain permanently attached to the top of the display was agreed upon as the simplest and easiest to use arrangement. To adapt to this arrangement, a 99% pure aluminum heat-reflective fabric was developed. To provide strength to the woven aluminum fabric and eliminate oxidation, it is coated with a thin, transparent film. Humidity levels in a store are often very high compared to the level inside a display case, and condensation can form due to the temperature differences between the inner and outer fabric surfaces. To allow the woven aluminum fabric to breathe and condensation to evaporate, it is punched with a precise pattern of tiny holes. The perforations represent 1.5% of the total heat-reflective surface area. The fabric is placed on a rustproof, spring-loaded spindle that is mounted in an aluminum enclosure for adaptability in regard to the retrofit of existing display cases. The assembly includes a nylon handle, hook, and mounting end caps that are durable, cost effective, and cannot rust.

Even in areas that have low energy costs, supermarkets report their energy bills to be approximately 1% of their total sales volume. However, profit margins within the supermarket industry are very low, also around 1%. Any improvement in reducing costs helps make substantial improvements to profit.

Several factors affect the payback on investment for the purchase of woven aluminum night covers:
Hours the store is closed;
Local energy cost;
Number of cases;
Types of cases;
Equipment efficiency;
Heat sensitivity of perishable merchandise; and
The store environment

Retailers with a minimum 60 hrs closing time per week that use aluminum night covers have reported a payback in as short as three months to as long as 20 months.

The payback is derived from reduced energy costs through less frequent compressor operation and maintenance, as well as reduced store heating or air conditioning operation. However, retailers have reported that the quickest payback is from the protection of all heat-sensitive merchandise from exposure to heat and UV radiation during closed hours. Protection from heat and UV radiation is particularly important in the fresh meat and produce departments. This sensitive merchandise tends to dry, wilt, and discolor from exposure to heat and dry air within the store.

Woven aluminum night covers reflect heat and UV away, creating the optimum temperature and humidity around all the produce held in the case. This can eliminate morning produce trimming, which can save roughly $1 of produce/ft of case plus associated labor. A supermarket with 100 or 200 ft of produce display receives quick payback from product sold that would normally be accepted as a daily loss

At the end of the day, produce departments usually restock the display cases with new merchandise. Older produce is rotated to the top of the display case.

If a case is filled to capacity, the refrigerated air has difficulty effectively cooling all of the produce surface area, leaving it vulnerable to heat and UV. Even with automatic sprayers to moisten the produce during the closed hours, there is still plenty of spoilage to trim away before store opening each morning.

Most supermarkets report significant shrinkage on produce displayed at the front portion of their cases, which is not well reached by the cold air and spray.

Meat cases

Meat products, when exposed to heat and UV, create photochemical reactions on the surface of the cuts that lead to color change.

For example, meat and sausage cuts fade considerably or go gray, thus losing their fresh appearance. Severe discoloration can also catalyze liquid oxidation, which results in deterioration of the meat’s aroma and flavor.

Strict control of temperature and minimizing the time at warmer temperatures are critical to solving color fading and prolonging shelf life of fresh meat products

Floral cases
Retailers report that floral cases closed with glass doors provide for longer shelf life, but floral sales are much better when using an open case. Woven aluminum night covers offer open merchandising when the store is open and prolong shelf life when the store is closed.

Econofrost Night Curtains appeared for the first time at Gulfood International, the major food, hotel and equipment exhibition in the United Arab Emirates. Gulfood International Food Safety Conference is the region’s leading showcase for food and hospitality trades, being held this year at the Dubai International Convention Exhibition Center.

The food safety conference serves the global food industry as a meeting place for retail food distributors and suppliers from over 70 countries. Food retailers interested in saving energy and reducing operating costs can visit booth ZA-36, Zabeel Hall, from February 23 through 26, 2009, to learn how effective and easy to operate Econofrost woven aluminum night curtains can be. Econofrost invites supermarket retailers, display case manufacturers, food equipment distributors, store design firms, refrigeration equipment specialists, and energy consultants to bring their questions about how Econofrost thermal blinds can bring rapid returns for retail stores.

Econofrost thermal night covers provide a simple, affordable way to saving energy by stabilizing temperatures in open refrigeration cases, prolonging the shelf life of refrigerated merchandise, and decreasing the energy load on refrigeration equipment. Econofrost woven aluminum display covers can be specified as an option from most manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment or ordered for retrofits. Savings from improved energy efficiency can amount to more than the full cost of the Econofrost installation in a matter of weeks or months.

Econofrost thermal blinds reflect heat, trap cold air, and stabilize temperatures in refrigerated food cabinets. Meat, seafood, dairy and flower displays exposed to dry air, heat and light during the day stay fresh longer when they are stored in optimal temperature and humidity conditions while the store is closed.

Serving the supermarket industry since 1975, Econofrost has made over 250,000 retail store installations in nearly 30 countries. Market Group Ventures, Inc., the parent corporation for Econofrost and Promolux Lighting International, is a world leader in providing retail technology solutions for merchandisers.

Market Group Ventures Inc. is pleased to bring Promolux Lighting International and Econofrost night curtains to Expo Carnes 2009 in Monterrey, Mexico. Billed as the gateway for the world’s meat suppliers to do business in Mexico, Expo Carnes is an international meat industry exhibition and convention held every two years. This year’s convention is open February 25 through 27, 2009 and includes topics of interest such as food safety, the global meat market and Canada’s meat industry updated

A world leader in providing retail technology solutions to the supermarket industry, MGV is the parent company of Promolux Lighting International and Econofrost night curtains. Promolux can be found alongside Econofrost in Booth 1406 at Cintermex conference center. Representatives seek meetings with meat industry retailers and equipment designers interested in food safety and meeting consumer demand for the freshest merchandise available.

Promolux is a leading manufacturer of true color definition lighting for merchandising displays, and offers full color balanced lighting solutions that dramatically improve the visual impact of fresh meat displays. Promolux Safe Spectrum food lighting also helps extend the shelf life of perishable food displays reducing lipid oxidation drying and other damaging effects of light. Promolux low radiation lamps are designed specifically for fresh food displays to maintain product integrity, color, freshness and nutrititional value of meats, dairy, produce and other fresh food displays. See www.promolux.com.

Econofrost night covers provide a simple, affordable way to save energy by maintaining temperature control in open refrigeration cases, prolonging the shelf life of refrigerated merchandise, and decreasing the energy load on refrigeration equipment. Econofrost woven aluminum display covers can be specified as an option from most manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment or ordered for retrofits. Econofrost has served the supermarket industry since 1975 and has made over 250,000 thermal shield installations in nearly 30 countries.