One Stop is looking to help franchisees cut their energy usage by 10% to fight rising costs.
The Tesco-owned retailer said it was initially “challenging” itself with the same target across company-owned stores during a set of trials that reviewed air conditioning, refrigeration and lighting. It will then pass on its findings to franchisees to ensure they’re running their stores “as efficiently as possible”.
It said it had been using probes in company-owned stores to detect energy usage in chillers, and reviewing temperatures and timings based on stores’ trading hours, as that’s where the “biggest saving is”.
It added it was putting a particular focus on chillers that held alcohol and soft drinks. However, in adjusting them, it said it was crucial to avoid any “trade damaging” changes, so shoppers could “still get what they need”, such as cold beer in the evening or cold soft drinks in the morning.
The business has also been measuring air conditioning efficiency by maintaining a stable temperature so it doesn’t overwork usage. It found that 20°C was the optimal temperature.
In terms of lighting, it was reviewing the time that the stores’ fascia lighting was lit up, ensuring it was only on at night, while looking to replace the entire company-owned estate with LED lighting. It has so far been installed in 95% of company-owned stores.
One Stop said it had already been supplying franchisees with PoS designed to advise and prompt retailers on their energy usage, such as turning lights off, not filling kettles fully, and stable air con temperatures.
“The challenge is, is you may have a 1,200 sq ft store that has the same amount of refrigeration as a 2,000 sq ft store, and they’re still going to be using the same energy,” said One Stop head of franchise John Miller. “However, that store might be taking £15,000 a week, while the larger store is doing £30,000 a week. It’s those smaller sites that are incredibly worried about that upturn.
“There is no silver bullet. So we’re trying to ensure our franchise stores are running as efficiently as possible and following certain plans, while making sure they’re fit and ready for trade, with the best proposition and promotions.”
One Stop’s plans come as the government confirmed an energy bailout from 1 October, which will provide a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic customers for six months.
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