By Craig Zammit

SYDNEY: Retravision claims energy consumption at its flagship Auburn store in Sydney decreased by 47 per cent after participating in a pilot program targeting efficient retail lighting techniques.

The results of the study, revealed yesterday afternoon at the Auburn store, also revealed that a switch to more energy efficient lighting reduced heat associated with lighting by an impressive 75 per cent, which in turn leads to less air-conditioning expenses and a more comfortable retail environment.

“What we’ve done in this store is the equivalent of taking 17 cars off the road. So if this was implemented Australia-wide in some of the bigger malls like Westfields, it would dramatically improve the environment. Plus there’s the benefits of saving money on an ongoing basis,” said Retravision Auburn propeitor, Julie Rowland.

With Retravision Auburn now looking at $10,000 saved every year on electricity costs, it’s a concept that could catch on amongst other Australian retailers.

“It’s something that I think Retravision will say to their store owners – consider lighting as part of your overall store plan. It can have a dramatic effect on your bottom line, it can change the overall image of the store for your clients and it gives your staff a better working environment which improves productivity.

“The overall feel of the store is so much better now, the differences are significant. We were changing light globes every three to four months, and they are not cheap. Now we have changed our lighting, our lights cost less to run and are better for the environment, and a lot of them won’t need to be changed for years,” said Rowland.

Concepts such as sensor lighting in stock rooms, low voltage bulbs and timers on display-cabinet lights were also mentioned as easy ways for retailers to save on their lighting without having to re-fit an entire store.

Lighting Council Australia has also been very pleased with the results and impressed by the scale of improvements.

“The results for both the retailer and the environment are outstanding. What we wanted to do was to demonstrate significant savings are possible in a retail environment using current affordable lighting technologies. We have doubled what we originally set out to achieve,” said Lighting Council Australia chairman, David Tillbury.