Waitrose to install ‘invisible door’ tech

Waitrose will introduce ‘invisible doors’ across its store estate later this year as part of ongoing sustainability efforts.

The AirDoor technology, developed by Wirth Research, uses sensors to detect the flow of air in both directions. To prevent warm air being lost on colder days, and cold air being lost on warmer days, the system generates wind to counteract the flow of air.

Later this year, Waitrose will install the AirDoor in its Berkhamsted supermarket, with plans to roll the technology out across its wider estate if successful.

Wirth Research stated that the archway installed around the store’s entrance will cause minimal disruption, and could save British retailers a total of £1.5 billion every year on their energy bills.

“We are always looking to find innovative ways to reduce our impact on the environment,” commented Jim Burnett, senior manager of technical services at Waitrose.

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