International. More efficient cooling and LED lighting helped reduce energy costs in the German retail food industry by 5% in 2015.
According to the 2015 Energy Monitoring Institute survey, the cost of energy per square meter of commercial space in the food trade is currently equivalent to just over 58 euros, compared to 32 euros in the non-food sector.
Across both sectors, 68% of retailers surveyed indicated that their energy costs were lower compared to the previous year. Along with a decrease in energy prices, the shift to LED lighting, the use of efficient cooling, the addition of glass doors to refrigerated display cases in food retail, and the optimized control of HVAC systems were identified as causes of cost reduction.
LED lighting was the investment priority among food retailers – all interviewees identify it as the main focus of investment in 2015. More than 80% of retailers identified modern refrigeration technology as a priority and 45% refrigerator doors. 36% of food, and a third of non-food traders classify investments in air conditioning, ventilation and heating systems (heat pumps, in particular) as of particular relevance.
