The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) warns that 7,000 independent retailers could potentially go bankrupt due to rising energy costs. However, various retailers have already taken action to mitigate the impact of increased energy expenses. Here’s a look into the measures retailers have adopted, and the subsequent effects on their businesses:
David Charman, owner of Spar Parkfoot in Kent, has managed to reduce his electricity usage by 10-15% by implementing initiatives to reduce electric consumption. He has invested £60,000 in solar panels to generate a large portion of the store’s electrical needs. Parkfoot has signed a 6-month contract at twice the old rate, hoping that in the future, the electricity cost will decline.
Steve Weight, owner of Nisa Local Borough Green Stores, has achieved a 60% reduction in energy usage by employing various energy-saving practices, including LED lighting and regulating refrigerator temperatures. Weight claims this measures are already saving him substantial amounts of money.
Sue Nithyanandan, of Costcutter Epsom in Surrey, has lowered his energy bill by 20% by installing chiller doors and timers on alcohol chillers. Nithyanandan has also switched to LED lighting and installed sensors for back-office lights.
Onkar Sandhu, of Sandhu Stores in Tamworth, Staffordshire, has swapped micro-lights for LEDs and has put timers on non-temperature-controlled fridges. He has chosen not to opt for chiller doors as his testing measures limited savings. Putting in solar panels has been the biggest saver, with a 19% drop in monthly energy costs.
Sunder Sandher, owner of One Stop Leamington Spa in Warwickshire, uses self-closing automatic doors on his chillers and has switched from remote chillers to three-pin plug chillers.
Avtar Sidhu, owner of St John’s Budgens in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, has reduced his energy usage by 40% by changing his high-energy freezers. Two hours before closing, non-critical temperature refrigeration equipment such as drinks and alcohol are switched off. Instant-consumption drink machines, shakes, ice-cream machines, and slush machines were also decreased from five to three.
Dee Sedani, a Derbyshire-based One Stop retailer, has already installed chiller doors and timers on plugs.
Finally, Amit Puntambekar, of Ash’s Shop in Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire, is optimistic that solar panels will reduce energy consumption by 25% after installing them once his kitchen is built.
In conclusion, independent retailers are taking necessary steps to reduce energy expenses. By employing measures such as LED lighting, regulating fridge temperatures, switching to more energy-efficient chillers, and using solar panels, store owners are experiencing tangible savings on their bills. Despite rising energy prices, inspiration can be drawn from such cases to take proactive measures in mitigating the financial impact of energy costs.
