Retail

With stiff competition from the new wave of unconventional retailers such as Amazon, and rising costs, including energy, conventional bricks, and mortar retailers are fighting an uphill battle to stay in business. Given the increased cost-effectiveness of the unconventional retail business model and the apparent increased value-added in adapting new technologies, our retail clients are seeking out ways to decrease their costs and improve their bottom line.

Conventional North American retail companies spend approximately $20 billion on energy each year. A 10% reduction in energy costs for the average full-line retailer can boost net profit margins by as much as 1.55% and sales per square foot by $25. With its ultra-high impact on the bottom line, investing in energy efficiency has essentially become compulsory for conventional retailers.

Star Energy is dedicated to helping retailers reduce their energy consumption. We examine all aspects of your energy and maintenance costs. Our exclusive ECRp® program systematically identifies energy cost reduction opportunities that fit your financial criteria, typically delivering an IRR of over 30%. We examine utility bills, inspect HVAC, lighting and control equipment, review operating and maintenance procedures and systems and analyze building envelopes. This allows us to accurately gauge the efficiency of your overall energy consuming equipment and measure the environmental impact of your operation. Our in-depth maintenance cost analysis also identifies opportunities through a life cycle cost analysis to reduce your maintenance costs.

Armed with this information, we work with you to develop clear-cut, actionable energy and maintenance strategies. We not only identify various energy conservation measures but also provide you with tools such as business case studies, project management, and comprehensive incentive management to assist you in the implementation of various identified energy and maintenance cost reduction opportunities.

Solutions for increasing the energy efficiency of your operation include utilizing new technologies, replacing outdated and oversized equipment with properly sized, high efficiency models, utilizing alternative fuel sources and developing no cost and low-cost strategies to reduce the amount of energy you use and lower your carbon footprint.

Increasing the energy efficiency of your operation is one of the most effective way to reduce your overall operating costs. For example, a major issue with retailers is scheduling and commissioning of HVAC and lighting systems in the stores. Re-commissioning of HVAC and controls could potentially result in approximately 20% annual energy savings. Replacing inefficient lighting with high-efficiency LED bulbs and installing timers and motion detectors can save over 50% on lighting costs.

Many of our clients are either underperforming or over-performing maintenance as recommended by the OEMs. These activities typically require an adjustment to suit the operating style of each chain. Star Energy offers a review of maintenance procedures, frequency of maintenance and overall maintenance costs for mechanical and electrical systems. Our clients find significant cost reductions by moving to a predictive rather than preventive maintenance system.

In addition to providing sustainable and practical solutions for increasing energy efficiency, Star Energy can also provide you with training and tools for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of energy use, which alone can reduce your overall energy costs by up to 5%.