Epta refrigeration for Fantastico’s first store in Plovdiv
Fantastico’s new store, marks an important milestone for the retailer: it is its first store in Plovdiv, the second biggest city in Bulgaria. Covering 4,171.51 m², the supermarket brings Fantastico’s established store concept to a new city.
For its first project in Plovdiv, Fantastico chose to work with Epta again, drawing on the experience gained through several previous installations. The new project combines a broad selection of Epta cabinets with a central refrigeration system, with a clear focus on energy efficiency, reliable operation, attractive design and strong product visibility.
A refrigeration concept tailored to each department
A wide selection of Epta cabinets has been used throughout the store, with each model chosen according to the products and merchandising needs of the individual department.
From Eurocryor, in the fresh-food areas, Gemini semi-vertical cabinets make the products easy to see while also allowing dry goods to be merchandised above the refrigerated display. Panorama cabinets complement these areas with a minimalist glass design that keeps the products fully visible. Torre vertical displays make it possible to accommodate a large quantity of products without taking up excessive floor space. At the store, the concept supports different applications, including refrigerated and hot food, as well as dedicated solutions for butcher and bakery products. Crossover Scene, from the Ambienti family, is used for fresh and pre-packed products such as dairy, delicatessen, drinks and pastries. In smaller self-service areas, Twin Mini SV provides a compact solution where product presentation remains important. Its design keeps the focus on fresh products while maintaining the required refrigeration performance.
From Costan, for fresh pre-packed products, Granvista Next creates a continuous wall-of-products effect, putting the focus on the merchandise rather than the cabinet itself. Its different dimensions also give the retailer flexibility when planning the layout of the department. Tango Next is also used for fresh pre-packed products, where clear visibility is particularly important. Its full-glass doors, panoramic end sections and Epta LED lighting keep the products easy to see from different angles. The cabinets use R290 propane refrigerant and feature a maintenance-free condenser, supporting straightforward day-to-day operation.
Fruit, vegetables, plants and flowers are displayed in Costan’s Granvista Season, an open vertical cabinet developed specifically for fresh-produce areas. Its range of configurations and accessories allows the department to be adapted to different merchandising requirements.
A new approach to frozen-food merchandising
One of the key decisions in the project was the choice of Costan, GranSesia for the frozen-food area. It is the first time Fantastico has used Epta’s semi-vertical freezer concept, replacing the traditional horizontal islands with a format that gives products greater visibility and increases the amount of merchandise that can be displayed in the same area.
The idea was introduced to Fantastico through EptaConcept, where the retailer saw how GranSesia could work as an alternative to the traditional frozen-food layout. The solution combines a more open presentation with flexible island configurations, while making better use of the available floor space.
The frozen and ice-cream offer is complemented by Iarp Glee 45 Prime, a vertical plug-in cabinet with a clean, contemporary design. Its full-glass construction and LED lighting improve product visibility, while the plug-in refrigeration system helps simplify maintenance. The range also offers flexibility in product configuration and personalisation.
A centralised CO₂ refrigeration system
The cabinets are supported by an Eco₂Large refrigeration pack with FTE technology, providing the central refrigeration system for the 4,171.51 m² store. Designed for medium- to large-size retail applications, Eco₂Large offers adjustable cooling capacity for both medium- and low-temperature applications. The standardised pack can be configured with different options, including Epta’s patented FTE system, heat recovery, backup units and housing. The CO₂ system was selected with both energy efficiency and reliable day-to-day operation in mind—two important requirements for a supermarket of this size.
For Epta, Fantastico in Plovdiv is another example of how a long-standing customer relationship can evolve into a new project—this time combining familiar refrigeration solutions with a new approach to frozen-food merchandising. This installation project also highlights Epta’s all-round solutions. From store design to refrigerated cabinets, including advanced packs and refrigeration systems, Epta delivers integrated end-to-end solutions for the retail sector.
Our expertise covers every phase of the project: technical design, in-store installation and start-up, as well as a complete range of after-sales services throughout the entire product life cycle.
