Stefan Lay, Product Manager for Cooling and Heating at Swegon UK&I, explains why a holistic approach that incorporates the right calculations, forward thinking technology choices and proper optimisation is essential to achieving meaningful sustainability goals in retail environments.

Tesco, which is committed to reducing the operational carbon footprint of all its stores by 50% by the year 2020, has installed Monodraught’s Windcatcher natural ventilation system in its new 17 000 ft² superstore in Marlborough, Wiltshire.

Westfield Stratford City currently holds the title of the largest urban shopping centre in Europe and was built at a cost of £1.45 billion. The centre boasts 300 shops, 70 restaurants, a 17-screen cinema, three hotels and is also the home to the UK’s largest casino.

Customers at J D Wetherspoon's Kettleby Cross pub in Melton Mowbray are benefiting from energy efficient heating and cooling provided by a ground source heat pump from Danfoss Heat Pumps UK. The DHP-R heat pump was installed by renewable energy specialist Eartheat as part of a major refurbishment following a fire at the popular pub.

When the Fenwick store in Tunbridge Wells urgently needed to replace its chillers, Weatherite Building Services’ ability to act as main contractor paid dividends for the client. WBS not only provided a more energy efficient and quieter solution, but project managed the entire process including liaison with the local authority on a road closure to ensure delivery of the programme.

An energy saving lighting scheme supplied by Riegens has been used at Enterprise Rent-a-car offices as a pilot scheme in the north-west of England. The scheme has been so successful that the company have chosen the system for retro-fit in existing branches as well as using in any new-build developments within the NW region.

A further three Tesco stores have been fitted with units supplied by fan manufacturer Elta Fans. These latest stores are at Dudley, Crewe and Bedworth (pictured).

Retailers want to keep shop fronts open to invite potential customers into their stores. But this means heat can escape, costing money and increasing carbon emissions. Phil Chilton of Dimplex has a solution.

Any organisation seeking to reduce its carbon emissions should take a close look at its Building Energy Management System (BEMS). Yet, there is more to BEMS than just energy, says Clive Ball of Trend Control Systems.

Approximately one third of the UK’s total energy consumption is used for heating or producing hot water. Retailers are making moves to improve efficiency – MBS Focus looks at the latest initiatives.

With retailers looking to save energy, reduce fuel bills and lower carbon emissions, the latest generation of LED lighting solutions offer a quick win. Ian Major of Havells-Sylvania outlines the benefits.

Convenience outlets are bringing new life to the High Street as planners reject large out of town developments. Steve Robinson of Hitachi Air Conditioning Europe looks at what’s in store.

Asda has announced that it is on track to deliver customer savings adding up to £800 million by 2020, thanks to its commitment to sustainability initiatives. The retailer saved over £70 million in 2010 alone through reducing waste and energy usage in its operations, and delivered four years ahead of schedule on its promise to reduce absolute carbon emissions throughout its operations by 10 per cent.

The Isle of Wight MP, Andrew Turner, unveiled Waitrose’s first energy centre on Friday 30 March 2012. This sees Waitrose East Cowes become the first UK supermarket to receive most of its heating, cooling and power from sustainably-sourced local woodchip.

Morrisons aims to reduce its total operational carbon footprint by 30% by 2020 (from a 2005 baseline). It aims to achieve this despite the new stores, manufacturing and distribution centres that it continues to build.

Sainsbury’s is accelerating its CO2 refrigeration programme as it recently opened its 100th store to be equipped with the green technology. The opening of the store, in Ely, Cambridgeshire, meant that CO2 refrigeration has cut Sainsbury’s carbon footprint by 250,000 tonnes since conversion began two years ago.

The MBS Focus panel looks at the issues facing retailers as they seek to reduce their carbon footprint amid soaring fuel bills and corporate responsibility agendas.

The retail sector is having a torrid time of it at the moment. Game is the latest big name to go to the wall since the recession took hold, joining the ranks of Woolworths, Zavvi and Habitat to name just a few. The UK’s dire economic woes have also seen those retailers that have survived make savage cuts to the number of stores they operate.