Lighting your store shouldn't drain your profits
Bright displays. Comfortable shopping. Extended hours. Retail electricity adds up fast. We find rates that keep your store inviting without crushing your margins.
Why retail electricity costs more than you'd expect
Retail stores need to look good. That means high-quality lighting for merchandise, comfortable temperatures for browsing customers, and often extended operating hours. All of this adds up.
Worse, most retail electricity use happens during peak rate hours. When shoppers are in your store (afternoons and evenings), grid demand is highest and rates reflect that. You're paying premium prices exactly when you're open.
We understand retail's unique challenges—seasonal spikes, customer comfort requirements, display lighting needs—and find rates that account for how stores operate.
Where your electricity dollars go
Lighting
40-50%Display lighting, ambient lighting, signage, and parking lot lights. LED retrofits can cut this by 50-70%, but even with LEDs, lighting remains the biggest cost driver.
HVAC
30-40%Heating and cooling for customer comfort, plus compensating for door traffic and display lighting heat. Smart thermostats and demand controls make a big difference here.
Electronics & Equipment
10-20%POS systems, security, display screens, and specialty equipment. Generally a smaller portion, but always-on equipment adds up.
Refrigeration (if applicable)
+20-30%For grocery, convenience stores, and refrigerated displays. This 24/7 load significantly increases base consumption and changes your rate optimization strategy.
How we reduce your electricity costs
- Analyze operating patterns
We look at your hours, seasonal variations, and when your demand peaks to find rate structures that fit your actual operations.
- Shop multiple suppliers
We get competing quotes from suppliers who understand retail load profiles. The spread between suppliers often exceeds 20%.
- Plan for seasonal peaks
Holiday seasons don't have to blow your electricity budget. We plan contract timing and demand strategies around your sales calendar.
- Aggregate multi-location buying power
For retail chains, we combine locations to negotiate volume rates, standardize contracts, and simplify administration across your portfolio.
Retail types we serve
Get a Custom Quote
Free consultation, no obligation. We'll analyze your usage and find savings opportunities.
Retail electricity questions
How much can retail stores typically save on electricity?
Retail stores typically see 15-25% savings on supply charges by switching from utility default rates. For a store spending $1,500/month on electricity, that's $225-375 in monthly savings. Stores with extended hours and large display lighting often see higher savings potential.
What's the biggest electricity cost for retail stores?
Lighting and HVAC together account for 70-85% of retail electricity costs. Lighting for merchandise displays, signage, and parking lots typically runs 40-50%, while HVAC for customer comfort represents 30-40%. Refrigerated display cases in grocery and convenience stores can add another 20-30%.
How do seasonal sales affect electricity rates?
Holiday seasons can spike your electricity use 30-50% above baseline, which impacts your demand charges and may affect your rate class. We analyze your seasonal patterns to find rates that don't penalize you for holiday peaks—or we help you plan demand management strategies.
Should retail stores consider time-of-use rates?
It depends on your operating hours. Many stores operate during peak rate periods (noon-8pm). However, some retailers can shift stocking and cleaning to off-peak hours to capture savings. We model your specific schedule against available rate structures.
What about multi-location retail chains?
Multi-location retailers can aggregate purchasing power across stores to negotiate significantly better rates than single locations. We also standardize contracts across locations, simplify billing, and provide consolidated reporting—reducing administrative burden while cutting costs.
Related resources
Understanding Demand Charges
How demand charges affect retail stores and strategies to manage them.
Fixed vs Variable Rates
Which rate structure protects retail budgets best.
Restaurant Electricity
Similar challenges if you have a food service component.
Business Energy Solutions
Full overview of our commercial electricity services.