Konsum Leipzig looks back on a history spanning more than 140 years and, as a cooperative, is firmly rooted in the region today. With around 1,100 employees, the company operates 56 stores in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, supplying approximately 52,000 customers with fresh food every day. As a local neighborhood retailer, Konsum Leipzig offers various store formats and places great importance on regional products. Up to a quarter of its range of around 15,000 items comes from the region – including products such as organic food boxes, Leipzig coffee, or locally brewed beer. More than 30,000 cooperative members contribute to ensuring long-term supply. One of the larger stores, located at Könneritzstraße 50 in Leipzig, has now been fully modernized. “This also included the replacement of the old refrigeration cabinets and the refrigeration system,” reports Juliane Vielitz-Cialla, Project Manager at Konsum Leipzig Neulindenau GmbH.
A fresh concept for the complete refurbishment
As part of the general renovation, not only technical areas were upgraded, but the entire store concept was redesigned. New shelving, a modern anthracite color scheme, and optimized lighting now create a harmonious overall appearance. The requirements for the new refrigeration cabinets were correspondingly high: in addition to ease of use and a convincing overall impression, cost efficiency, profitability, and a reliable maintenance concept were key factors. To select the refrigeration furniture, Konsum invited five suppliers to tender, including refrigeration specialist Hauser. “We had already gained positive experience with Hauser in another store. However, the decisive factors were the high energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the cabinets, enabling us to meet the requirements of our sustainability concept,” says Marcus Edler, Energy Management Officer and technical buyer at Konsum Leipzig Dienstleistungs-GmbH.
Refurbishment during ongoing operations
The modernization project posed particular challenges for everyone involved, as all work was carried out while the store remained open. “It was like performing open-heart surgery,” recalls Juliane Vielitz-Cialla. Despite the tight schedule and numerous interfaces between different trades, the implementation went smoothly. The delivery and installation of Hauser refrigeration cabinets were completed on schedule without major disruptions to business operations. The inner-city location, which made logistics more difficult, was also successfully managed. “Hauser handled this very calmly, professionally, and reliably. That pleasantly surprised us,” says Vielitz-Cialla. Short-term adjustments—such as additional partition elements in cabinet units—were implemented quickly. “Hauser responded very flexibly and delivered solutions without delay. The tight schedule could only be maintained because all trades worked together precisely,” she adds.
Modern refrigeration cabinets create clarity
Upon entering the store, convenience products and snacks catch the eye first, followed by the fruit and vegetable section. This is followed by dairy products, clearly arranged in Hauser Remeta refrigerated cabinets. Next comes the service counter for meat and cheese, which also offers hot meals. Finally, the frozen food area features Hauser Mirengo freezers. Transparent glass doors and side panels on the cabinets ensure optimal product visibility while helping reduce energy consumption. The entire refrigeration system in the store is based on a modern CO₂ refrigeration system that supplies both medium- and low-temperature cooling. “We particularly appreciate the easy handling, the excellent product illumination, practical details such as impact protection strips, and the high build quality of the cabinets,” says Marcus Edler. The uniform design of refrigerated and frozen cabinets also creates a consistent overall appearance. In addition, the cabinets can be quickly adapted to different requirements or usage scenarios, for example during the Christmas season.
Added value through modern refrigeration technology
Since the Konsum store offers only 800 square meters of space, space is a scarce resource. On this relatively small area, Hauser refrigeration cabinets score highly thanks to their depth and space-saving dimensions, providing outstanding space efficiency. “We can display more products in the same space while benefiting from easy handling and good serviceability,” explains Edler. The Energy Management Officer also sees a key advantage in the high energy efficiency of the systems. Combined with the CO₂ refrigeration system and modern control technology, this results in significant savings potential. “Based on our experience with new Hauser cabinets in another store, we were able to observe a clear increase in efficiency,” says Edler.
On the path to greater sustainability
Sustainability is of particular importance for Konsum Leipzig eG. The company’s energy management system is certified according to ISO 50001. As part of its sustainability strategy, Konsum Leipzig optimizes all types of consumption, for example through the use of CO₂ refrigeration technology, LED lighting, and photovoltaic systems. These measures are intended to reduce energy consumption and create competitive advantages. “In line with our strategy, we pay attention to high energy efficiency and durability in all technical investments. Practical usability is also essential. Our goal is to combine economic and ecological objectives as effectively as possible,” Edler emphasizes. At the same time, Konsum aims to offer customers good prices and to continuously improve as a company. This also includes continuously optimizing and expanding the product range, which in turn requires more refrigeration capacity. “The refrigeration cabinets are convincing in terms of design, functionality, and energy performance. With Hauser, we have a reliable partner who responds flexibly to our requirements and supports us on our path into the future,” Edler concludes.
