temperature - Storing batteries in a refrigerator

The electro-chemical reaction is more favorable at higher temperatures. Consequently, when it is warmer, the batteries will perform better. This is also evident from practice: old batteries do not start the car when it's cold.

Now, about storing batteries. I heard some people store their batteries in the refrigerator. How, if at all, is it beneficial, as opposed to storing at room temperature? If it is not beneficial, what are the souses of such misconception?

Answer

Storing batteries/cells in a refrigerator slows down their rate of self-discharge, which is a good thing.

See below some graphs of self-discharge rates as function of temperature for different battery chemistries.

For SLA:

For alkalines:

_{(source: digikey.com)}

And here's some information for Lithium Ion.