ENERGY/HVAC

The holiday shopping season is upon us. For retailers, these last three months of the year signify a marathon of competitive sales strategies to increase foot traffic and maximize profits.    According to the National Retail Federation, the holiday season can represent as much as 30% of annual sales. To adapt to shifting consumer trends and meet peak season demands, stores plan to increase both hours of operation and staff onsite.  

Energy is the fourth largest in-store operating cost for retailers, with the average 50,000-sq.-ft. retail building spending around $90,000 each year on energy costs. Retail building managers are constantly trying to better regulate their buildings’ energy costs, so understanding where those charges come from can be extremely beneficial.   

The days of traditional brick-and-mortar are in serious transition. As the Internet commoditizes many store-bought products, new ways of thinking are required. Current technology represents retailers' best chance to jump the board. Technology always favors the early adopters.   Here are seven emerging techno-plays that are potential game-changers for physical retailers. Make the move now to be in a position to reap the rewards.   1. Build Smart 

Commercial retail is a unique and rapidly changing space. With the rise of online shopping, retailers are creatively adapting to improve the experience of being in a physical store. Strategies like experiential retail make shopping a personalized and engaging experience instead of a simple transaction.   Retailers are also providing customers with a more tech-friendly brick-and-mortar shopping experience in response to online competitors – the prevalence of self-serve check-out stations being just one example.   

7-Eleven is being honored for its commitment to reducing energy.   The Alliance to Save Energy has awarded 7-Eleven with the Alliance to Save Energy "Built Environment" award for its commitment to reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency in its stores.    7-Eleven has successfully decreased electricity use in store operations by an estimated 21% over the past seven years through installing LED lighting, energy management systems and high-efficiency HVAC units.  

The nation's largest home improvement retailer has found a new use for its store roofs.   The Home Depot is partnering with GE's Current unit and Tesla on a rooftop solar project in 50 stores across five states (California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and the District of Colombia.) The initiative will reduce electricity grid demand by an estimated 30% to 35% annually at each location. Under a power purchase agreement, Home Depot will lease its roof space and buy the output from the systems.   

Walmart is stepping up efforts to drive energy efficiency across its distribution network.   The discount giant is adopting fuel cells and hydrogen stations from provider Power Plug — a move that will bolster its energy efficiency at up to 30 more locations. Walmart already has Plug Power fuel cells installed at 22 distribution centers, according to USA Today.  

When it comes to energy-efficient refrigeration systems, Sprouts Farmers Market is on the leading edge of technology.    Hillphoenix said it has installed the first CO2 Booster System with ejector technology in North America at Sprouts' store in Woodstock, Georgia. The supplier is the first manufacturer in North America to introduce the technology as developed by Danfoss in the marketplace.