RETAIL, HOTELS & LEISURE


Leveraging smart strategies for sustainable supermarkets


Supermarkets have the opportunity to save on energy and enhance their sustainability by making the most of the latest advances in digital technology, says Jason Murphy.


Jason Murphy www.ims-evolve.com


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Managing director global retail at IMS Evolve


an energy consumption of 1kW will dissipate 4kW of unwanted waste heat to the atmosphere. Once dismissed as a mere by-product, waste could now emerge as a valuable resource ready for repurposing. With the right infrastructure in place, excess heat expelled by refrigeration systems can be captured and utilised for onsite heating or hot water production, further enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability.


espite their commitment to sustainability, UK supermarkets are grappling with the dual challenge of


cutting carbon emissions to achieve net-zero targets while managing costs in a tight-margined industry strained by rising inflation, supply chain disruptions and intense competition. This challenge is intensified by the substantial energy needed to keep fresh products at optimal conditions. In industrialised countries, supermarkets often account for around 3% of a country’s total electricity output, primarily due to the energy-intensive demands of refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Looking ahead, retailers must


prioritise improving the efficiency of these systems to cut energy consumption and costs. The question is, just how can food retailers maintain seamless operations and ensure food safety while achieving, or even exceeding, their sustainability and financial goals?


Intelligent cooling solutions Refrigeration systems represent, by far, the highest share of total energy consumed in supermarkets. Managing the multitude of these energy-intensive and often disparate units spread across expansive retail estates can pose a tough challenge for retailers. This is where smart technology


steps in to revolutionise the cooling landscape. By incorporating an Internet of Things (IoT) software layer, cooling systems can be made smarter and more efficient. These cutting- edge solutions digitally connect existing equipment and infrastructure, offering retailers unparalleled visibility and control over their operations. With real-time insights into the condition and performance of their machines, along with automated actions and problem-solving capabilities, retailers gain a powerful digital command centre. The true strength of IoT lies in


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Plug and Play The prohibitive costs of buying new equipment to replace existing machines and integrating upgraded systems has traditionally been a barrier to the adoption of smart technology in retail. Additionally, the expenses incurred during installation and the downtime during the upgrade process further compound these challenges. Fortunately, IoT solutions are a


Refrigeration system management represents a significant challenge for retailers


its ability to dynamically adapt to evolving conditions. For instance, the conventional practice of cooling all food products to the lowest required temperature, typically set by meat storage needs, results in excessive over-chilling across large retail spaces each year. This is where IoT truly stands out. By leveraging enhanced visibility and analytics alongside integration with external data, such as merchandising information, IoT solutions can adjust refrigeration temperatures based on the specific items being stored. This approach eliminates wasted energy from unnecessary cooling, providing precise, customised temperature control that ensures optimal freshness and safety for all perishable goods. Additionally, real-time monitoring of machine data enables the early detection of anomalies and faults, preventing potential breakdowns and reducing downtime. The system can automatically implement repairs or dispatch engineers where needed,


allowing retailers to embrace a proactive and predictive approach to maintenance. This not only curtails excessive energy consumption and prevents significant costly stock losses caused by machine breakdowns, but also ensures greater product availability for customers. Importantly, these adjustments are made autonomously, freeing food retailers from manual interventions and enabling them to focus their time and resources on other essential areas of their operations.


By incorporating an IoT software layer, cooling systems can be made smarter and more efficient


Energy management The benefits of IoT don’t stop there. IoT extends beyond machine management to revolutionise energy management on a macro scale. ‘Load shedding’ is an energy optimisation strategy that dynamically reallocates cooling resources to shed and shift energy loads from less critical units, such as those containing beverages or non-perishable items, to the most critical units containing fresh produce. This proactive energy management not only curtails operational costs and can enable new business models for retailers, but it is also instrumental in building resilience within the supply chain, safeguarding against disruption and enhancing customer satisfaction. And let’s not forget the


environmental impact. By harnessing the power of IoT to optimise energy consumption, retailers can substantially reduce their carbon footprint. A refrigeration system with


beacon of change. They provide a transformative approach in which they can seamlessly integrate and collect data from a complex range of existing legacy and modern equipment, irrespective of manufacturer. Through a controls-agnostic solution, IoT software can unify disparate infrastructure and systems without the need for retailers to invest in costly new hardware. This ‘plug and play’ approach enables a rapid return on investment, with energy savings, maintenance enhancements, food waste reductions, and more effective refrigeration regimes being delivered almost instantaneously after implementation. Retailers can implement this technology store-wide, optimising not only refrigeration but also lighting, AC systems, green energy infrastructure and more through intelligently driven schedules orchestrated by smart software.


Sustainable retail IoT is ushering in a new era for retail, where intelligent data use combines practical solutions, operational precision, and a seamless integration of sustainability with profitability. By allowing businesses to achieve significant gains in efficiency without the hefty expenses traditionally tied to new technology, IoT is transforming the way retailers approach both sustainability and resilience. As the sector evolves through new ideas and technological advancements, the potential for a more sustainable and cost-effective future continues to grow. For food retailers operating in today’s competitive landscape, adopting these digital technologies has become a crucial step rather than an option. ■


EIBI | SEPTEMBER 2024


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