{"id":12838,"date":"2026-06-19T13:24:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T11:24:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/optimaretail.eu\/?p=12838"},"modified":"2026-06-19T13:44:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T11:44:34","slug":"how-to-reduce-your-stores-energy-consumption-up-to-30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/optimaretail.eu\/en\/how-to-reduce-your-stores-energy-consumption-up-to-30\/","title":{"rendered":"How to reduce your store’s energy consumption by up to 30%"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Energy is one of the heaviest operational costs for any retail store \u2014 and one of the most optimisable. Energy consumption can account for up to 12% of a retail establishment’s monthly expenses<\/strong>, covering lighting, air conditioning, window displays and continuously running equipment. The good news is that there is significant room for improvement.<\/p>\n\n

In this article, you will find which measures to apply, what regulations to be aware of, and how to assess whether your store is energy efficient.<\/p>\n\n

What is energy efficiency in retail?<\/h2>\n\n

Energy efficiency in retail means achieving the same operational performance while consuming less energy<\/strong>. It is not about switching off lights or enduring the heat in summer \u2014 it is about intelligently managing lighting, air conditioning, refrigeration and any electrical equipment in your establishment.<\/p>\n\n

An efficient store operates just as well \u2014 or better \u2014 than an inefficient one, but with a significantly lower energy bill. And across a retail network, that difference multiplies with every location.<\/p>\n\n

How much energy does a store actually consume?<\/h2>\n\n

The main energy consumption areas in a commercial premises are:<\/p>\n\n

    \n
  • Lighting:<\/strong> typically accounts for between 30% and 40% of total consumption in fashion, footwear and accessories stores.<\/li>\n
  • Air conditioning (HVAC):<\/strong> heating and cooling represent the highest energy cost in large retail spaces and supermarkets.<\/li>\n
  • Window displays and illuminated signage:<\/strong> these often run far longer than necessary.<\/li>\n
  • Refrigeration equipment:<\/strong> critical in food retail and pharmacies, running continuously around the clock.<\/li>\n
  • Equipment on standby:<\/strong> tills, POS terminals, screens and devices in standby mode add up more than you might expect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

    A chain of 28 stores discovered, after installing an energy monitoring system, that 19 of its locations were leaving window displays on throughout the night and running air conditioning two hours longer than needed. The result: over \u20ac25,000 in annual savings without replacing a single piece of equipment<\/strong> \u2014 simply by optimising what they already had.<\/p>\n\n

    \n
    \n
    \n

    Air conditioning<\/p>\n

    40%<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n

    Lighting<\/p>\n

    35%<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n

    Window displays<\/p>\n

    10%<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n

    Equipment & other<\/p>\n

    15%<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n <\/span>Air conditioning<\/span>\n <\/span>Lighting<\/span>\n <\/span>Window displays<\/span>\n <\/span>Equipment & other<\/span>\n<\/div>\n
    \n <\/canvas>\n<\/div>\n

    Average energy consumption breakdown in a retail store<\/p>\n