Commuter traffic
OKay Berlare was built on a derelict site, on the corner of the Sarosstraat and the Brugstraat. The store is located just outside the centre of Berlare. “We aim to attract local residents as well as people who want to call in and do their shopping on their way home”, says store manager Angelo Zaman. "We have even designed a separate access path surrounded by greenery, especially to make it as easy and pleasant as possible for local pedestrians and cyclists. We hope to build up a loyal customer base who will value our wide range of products, our friendly staff and the lowest prices in the area.”
185 solar panels on the roof
Energy-efficient construction that minimises environmental impact is very important to OKay, so the second-generation stores use sustainable techniques and materials wherever possible. For example, OKay installed 185 solar panels on the roof, which almost completely cover the store's energy consumption. Moreover, the store is heated using the residual heat from the cooling system, instead of using a conventional boiler. Additionally, the cooling system is powered by propane; a natural coolant that is much more environmentally friendly than chemical refrigerant gases and that reduces the CO² emissions from cooling by 90%. The LED lighting in the stores reduces energy consumption by 30% and rainwater is reused for the toilets. The building is also extremely well insulated and the ventilation system recovers 75% of the warmth in the air.
Fresh and modern design
OKay Berlare is one of the new-generation OKay stores with a fresh, modern design. Wide aisles for fresh produce and large glass walls ensure a pleasant shopping experience. This highlights our wide range of fruit and vegetables, which are delivered fresh every day. The range of fresh products is one of OKay’s assets: fruit and vegetables, dairy, meat, cooked meats, fish and ready meals. The bakery has fresh bread every day and store employees bake high-quality pastries and bread products in the oven several times a day. OKay offers a broad mix of national brands, as well as its own brand Boni Selection and its discount brand Everyday. The convenience store also has a handy ‘Easy Cooking’ counter, with all the ingredients to prepare delicious seasonal dishes. This means that customers who want a quick meal no longer have to walk around the entire store.
