Due North, the Canadian-based leader in self-contained refrigerated merchandising solutions, has announced the launch of three new units under its QBD and Minus Forty brands. The announcement comes just ahead of the NAMA Show 2025, a major vending and convenience retail industry event set to take place in Las Vegas from May 7 to 9.
The new models mark a significant step in Due North’s “Idea to Aisle” promise—a corporate initiative aimed at helping customers accelerate the path from concept to in-store execution. According to the company, the newly unveiled merchandisers are designed to meet modern retail needs by combining performance, merchandising adaptability, and ease of maintenance with best-in-class energy efficiency.
“Our ‘Idea to Aisle’ promise focuses on helping our customers capture opportunities faster—with proven technology and ready-to-deploy solutions,” said Sean McGrann, Chief Commercial Officer at Due North. “These new models reflect our commitment to moving at the speed of retail.”
Canadian-Made Innovation Backed by ENERGY STAR®
Due North, which manufactures its products in Canada, has consistently earned ENERGY STAR® accolades for its equipment’s sustainability performance. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Brampton, Ontario, and Stayner, Ontario, where both QBD and Minus Forty product lines are produced. The company has increasingly emphasized environmental responsibility, aligning its innovation roadmap with energy-saving goals across its portfolio.
The three new units now being introduced are no exception. Engineered with advanced insulation and high-efficiency cooling components, the merchandisers are built to reduce operating costs while improving product visibility and access—two critical concerns for retailers operating in micro markets, foodservice settings, and high-traffic convenience retail.
“Our engineering team prioritizes performance that retailers and brands can rely on, day after day,” said McGrann. “From energy efficiency to ease of maintenance, every detail is built to help maximize uptime, sales, and merchandising flexibility.”
Overview of the New Refrigerated Merchandisers
The three models cater to a range of uses, from beverage and grocery sales to fresh grab-and-go and pet food merchandising. Each unit incorporates Due North’s patented Cooling Deck, a technology developed to simplify service and reduce downtime.
1. QBD: Three-Door Cooler (Sliding and Swing Door Options)
- Use Case: Beverage, Grocery, Micro Market, and Foodservice Retail
- Highlights: The unit offers either sliding or swing doors, ideal for retailers managing limited floor space. The Cooling Cassette Deck allows for fast, low-cost maintenance, improving operational longevity and reliability.
2. Minus Forty: 48” Open Air Merchandiser
- Use Case: Fresh Grab-and-Go, Grocery, Micro Market, Foodservice, and Convenience Retail
- Highlights: Available in both standard and shallow-depth versions, this open-air unit is geared toward high-impulse sales. It features strong refrigeration performance that can support a mix of beverages and perishables while preserving freshness and visual appeal.
3. Minus Forty: 23 Cubic Feet High-Capacity Cooler
- Use Case: Beverage, Pet Food, Grocery, and Micro Market Merchandising
- Highlights: Building on the success of the existing 22-cubic-foot model, this new cooler offers 20% more pack-out space with the same footprint. The added capacity translates to greater inventory flexibility without sacrificing square footage—an important feature for modern compact retail formats.
Positioned for Growth in Micro Market and Convenience Sectors
The launch of the new merchandisers aligns with broader growth trends in unattended retail formats and small-footprint convenience stores. The micro market category, which blends vending and open-shelf retailing in workplace and institutional settings, has seen rapid expansion across North America—particularly in the wake of shifting consumer demand for contactless, fresh, and convenient food access.
Due North is well-positioned to capitalize on this market evolution. Its products are already widely used by retailers, vending operators, and foodservice providers seeking reliable, energy-efficient, and aesthetically flexible refrigeration solutions.
“We’re seeing strong momentum in the micro market and convenience sectors,” noted McGrann. “Retailers are looking for flexible, modular refrigeration solutions that can adapt to evolving floor plans and consumer expectations. These three models check all those boxes.”
“Idea to Aisle”: A New Chapter for Due North
The newly launched products represent the first major SKUs released under the “Idea to Aisle” customer promise—a strategic commitment from Due North to bring new innovations to market faster and in closer alignment with customer needs.
According to the company, the initiative reflects an internal reorganization aimed at increasing speed-to-market through product modularity, engineering agility, and a streamlined development pipeline.
This reorientation toward agility was previewed earlier this year when Due North introduced its “EH Fridge” program—an initiative to design and manufacture commercial refrigeration units that support Canadian retailers with rapid turnaround and customizable features. That program was detailed in Retail Insider in April and is seen as a complementary effort to the broader “Idea to Aisle” promise.
A Strong Presence at the NAMA Show
All three new merchandiser models will be featured at Booth #2639 during the NAMA Show in Las Vegas. The event, hosted by the National Automatic Merchandising Association, is expected to draw thousands of industry professionals across vending, micro market, coffee service, and convenience sectors.
Due North’s booth will offer product demonstrations, consultations with its commercial team, and interactive displays showcasing how the company’s refrigeration systems can be configured for various store formats.
“NAMA 2025 is the perfect venue for us to showcase the power and flexibility of our latest designs,” said McGrann. “We invite attendees to come experience how our technology supports real-world retail needs—whether that’s a high-volume grocery aisle or a tightly configured micro market.”
A Canadian Brand Scaling Globally
With more than 20 years of experience and a growing presence across North America, Due North has cemented its reputation as a go-to provider of high-quality refrigerated display solutions. The company serves a wide customer base including major grocers, CPG brands, convenience store chains, and independent operators.
The integration of Canadian manufacturing with scalable design has become a core differentiator for the company. Unlike many competitors that rely heavily on offshore production, Due North emphasizes domestic engineering and fabrication, a move that resonates with customers concerned about global supply chain disruptions, tariffs, and speed to market.
Looking Ahead
The launch of these three new units signals a new phase of product development for Due North—one that is grounded in engineering excellence, customer-centric design, and market responsiveness.
With the “Idea to Aisle” promise now driving its go-to-market strategy, the company is doubling down on its commitment to being more than a manufacturer—it’s positioning itself as a partner in retail innovation.
“At the end of the day, it’s about helping our customers grow,” McGrann said. “Whether they’re launching a new store, piloting a fresh category, or scaling an entire merchandising program, we’re here to help them get there faster—and smarter.”
