European stores turn off lights and reduce open time to save energy

As rising energy bills and the threat of rationing intensify, some European retailers are turning off lights and considering shorter opening hours this winter.

Energy ministers and government officials have urged people and companies to reduce consumption and implement contingency plans so they are less reliant on gas imports if there is a shortage linked to the war in Ukraine.

The Austrian branch of multinational retail chain SPAR Group is reducing lighting hours for window and outdoor advertising at its more than 1,500 stores across the country, a spokesperson said by email.

The move will reduce the retailer’s energy consumption by one million kilowatt-hours a year, the spokesman said, without detailing how much money it would save.

Last month, the head of Leclerc warned that France’s biggest food retailer could reduce the opening hours of its stores to cope with the power outages.

Just over a week earlier, rival French supermarket operator Carrefour signed an “EcoWatt Charter” with national power grid operator RTE, reducing electricity consumption in its stores during periods of high demand.

Some retailers, including Colruyt and Ahold, may be partially insulated from potential disruptions and higher costs due to existing energy-saving sustainable energy programs.

“No concrete measures are planned in the short term, but the firm ambition is to continue the efforts as part of our general energy policy,” said a spokesman for Belgian Colruyt. “That’s why we don’t have illuminated signs, we opt for closed freezers, cold storage, etc.”

The company has 44 “zero fossil fuel” stores, which do not use fuel oil or natural gas but are fully heated by waste heat and green electricity, the spokesperson said.

Ahold is also looking at ways to reduce its energy use, Chief Executive Frans Muller said in an interview.