Bulk food departments aren’t an amenity, they’re a necessity. Research from 84.51°, the data analytics subsidiary of Kroger, shows that 45% of consumers are concerned about limiting food waste, while 34% are seeking out reusable packaging options. Creating or expanding a bulk food department is a profitable way for grocers to offer consumer- and eco-friendly foods, spices and more. But choosing the most efficient bulk merchandising fixtures for the job can be challenging. There are two main types of bulk food dispensing in retail: gravity dispensers and scoop bins. Select the best fit for your store and needs with this helpful guide.
Choosing Gravity Dispensers
From their space-efficient design to their eye-catching, clear display, gravity dispensers can dispense a variety of products like cereals, coffees, nuts, dried fruits, candies and more. This bulk solution is incredibly hygienic, prohibiting shoppers from cross-contaminating products or touching dispenser contents while also preventing spillage. Gravity dispensers allow foods to dispense from the bottom, which enforces first-in, first-out (FIFO) stock rotation. Add a swing-down arm to make refilling fast and simple without the need to lift bins into place, improving safety and efficiency.
Trade Fixtures Gravity Dispensers are dishwasher safe, available in four different capacities (2.0, 3.3, 3.5, and 5 gallons) and have three flow options to optimize product mix.
Freeflow: Allows products to flow freely when the handle is pulled down, automatically stopping once the handle is released.
Great for… snack mixes, nuts, beans, rice, granola, tea, coffee
Agitation with baffle: Available on Gravity Plus™ dispensers, a built-in agitator moves hard-to-dispense products that can stick or clump in traditional dispensers.
Great for… gummy candy, flour, dried fruit
Portion control: Dispenses a restricted amount such as 2 oz, 4 oz or 6 oz with a single pull to reduce waste, spillage and shrink.
Great for… high-value organic items, rice, spices
Choosing Scoop Bins
Scoop bins are an economical solution that gives total control to shoppers, down to the last jellybean. Scoop bins excel for sticky, clumpy and irregularly shaped items, being a great fit for a wide range of products. Trade Fixtures offers Scoop Bins in four capacity options (3.25, 4.5, 4.8 and 7.0 gallons) to serve grocery stores and co-ops with various product needs. Its innovative slide-out arm makes it simple to fill fixtures directly while enforcing FIFO stock rotation. Cleaning scoop bins is a breeze; they are approved by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) to the ANSI18 level, ensuring the ease of cleaning with rounded corners and dishwasher-safe to high rinse temperatures.
Gravity dispensers, scoop bins, nut butter grinders, buffet dispensers and more—Trade Fixtures is the trusted partner for grocers choosing to grow or start a bulk food merchandising department. Find the right fit for your store by browsing our catalog or contacting our team for a quote.