Energy represents the fourth-largest in-store operating cost for US retailers (after labor, rent and marketing). While overall energy costs differ by type of retail format—between about 4 and 9 percent of in-store operating costs—they also vary widely between stores of the same age, type and size.

That suggests a significant opportunity for cost reduction, and more and more retail stores – including national and regional chain stores as well as independent retailers – are aggressively trying all measures of cost-cutting tactics to find creative ways to lower their energy consumption without sacrificing their capacity to deliver an excellent shopping experience for customers.

♦  Lighting and HVAC represents a combined average of at least 70% or more of a retail store’s energy costs.

♦  A 20% reduction in energy costs for a retail store represents the same bottom-line benefit as a 5% increase in sales.