RE: ENERGY
Key areas for effi ciency savings:
● Lighting: Compact fl uorescent and LED products could use up to 80% less energy than conventional lamps and because these lights generate less heat they also put less strain on air conditioning systems;
BIU helped Poundland save £300,000 by reducing its energy consumption
units to provide an energy effi cient operation as dictated by the sales fl oor room temperature. The same applies to the heat ventilation fans. Commenting on the success of FSG’s work with H&M, Brain says:
“Not all retailers are doing enough to drive down their energy consumption
“As part of the ongoing work with H&M we were asked to come up with energy solutions. We came up with a solution where we take control of the lighting and AC in store, which is all linked to the intruder and fi re alarm, and can dictate when it is switched on and off . “We have had certain stores as high as 45% energy savings against 2010 baseline fi gures. But we have got some stores that aren’t achieving it but it is a minority. Roughly 5% aren’t but we are looking at the reasons why. It might be maintenance issues on site.” While H&M is working hard to drive down its energy consumption, it would seem not all retailers are doing the same. Brain says: “Not all retailers are doing enough to drive down their energy consumption. There are a few good trend-setters out there who have been doing this for a little while but generally people are now starting to catch on to it mainly because they are becoming more focused on the rising energy costs so they need to put something in place to help them use less energy. It certainly seems to be coming to the forefront and historically not all retailers are good at doing this as it is all about the bottom line.”
Looking to the future retailers
need to act now to avoid getting hit with larger bills as the cost of electricity increases and the addition of the Carbon Reduction
Commitment and various other levies and taxes placed on businesses makes things even more expensive.
Brain concludes: “Rising energy costs are coming and they are coming exceptionally quickly and retailers need to be reacting to that now prior to the energy costs going up. It is no good reacting in two years’ time when the energy costs go up by 20% because it is all too late but by having the solution in place and savings in place prior to that it will put them in an exceptionally strong position.”
● Daylight controls: Retailers leave lights on throughout the night for security reasons but these controls ensure they switch off when not needed;
● Air conditioning: do not be tempted to overcool the store in summer as customers are likely to be lightly dressed and may become uncomfortable. The same applies to heating in the winter;
● Refrigeration; When replacing units choose energy effi cient options and consider ones with clear doors or night blinds;
● Storage: Do not overfi ll the fridges and only chill what is needed. Store non-perishable goods separately so the fridges can be turned off when the store is closed.
34 RETAIL ENVIRONMENT | JUNE 2013
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