From offering public electric vehicle charging points to investing in green technology, there are plenty of opportunities for retail businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. Simply getting started is the main challenge.
The upcoming year is set to be challenging for UK businesses. Mounting running costs and tax increases are topping the list of pressure points with 42% [iwoca] of business owners listing them as their main concerns. However, there is still optimism amongst SME owners with 9 in 10 [Aviva] decision-makers confident about growing their business in 2025.
New processes and technologies are always being introduced into the retail sector, meaning retailers, producers and suppliers are primed to adapt and embrace change. Given that openness to evolution, more and more business leaders within the sector are considering how to weave sustainable practices into their operations.
Taking the first step can be the challenge. A survey of senior decision-makers found that 1 in 10 business leaders who have not invested in green energy solutions feel there is a lack of information available, which acts as a barrier in taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint [ScottishPower/YouGov]. They will often look to their energy supplier for advice and guidance, in helping them to manage their energy bills and to become more sustainable, doing the right thing for their business and the planet.
With that in mind, here are some sustainable choices retail leaders can make to start their transition to a greener future:
Sign up to a green energy tariff
Choosing a green energy tariff is a simple step. The ScottishPower Renewable For Business tariff for example, is a 100% green energy tariff [ScottishPower] guaranteeing that every unit of electricity the business uses, is matched with 100% renewable energy generated by ScottishPower from renewable sources right here in the UK.
The tariff consists of two parts: a fixed element for the energy ScottishPower supplies and a variable element that takes account of industry charges, which could vary each quarter.
As a first step, switching to a green energy tariff could be the best place for retailers, producers and suppliers to begin building resilience towards a greener future. Businesses can find out what best works for their needs at scottishpower.co.uk/forbusiness.
Install smart meters to understand energy usage
Retailers aiming to better understand their energy usage should consider installing a smart meter. According to research published by the UK Department of Energy Security & Net Zero, at the end of Q3 in 2024, 1.9million non-domestic smart meters had been installed across Britain.
Smart meters provide near real-time data on energy usage directly to a business’s energy supplier. This can be a valuable tool for businesses wanting to optimise their energy consumption, by ensuring energy bills are based on actual consumption. This means no more estimated bills [ScottishPower] and, via online platforms, businesses can monitor how much energy they use to discover where they could make savings.
There are flexible time slots and an easy installation process with ScottishPower, so a smart meter can be up and running quickly to allow businesses to see the benefits. Once a retailer understands where their energy is being used, they can look to make changes big or small, that could improve overall efficiency.
Go further by investing in green technology
Retailers, producers and suppliers who are aiming to grow their business this year, could begin looking into maximising what they already have across their sites. From solar panels to electric vehicle (EV) charge points, green tech solutions could help businesses to reduce their energy costs and even increase revenue.
For example, retailers who have a dedicated, accessible car park, could become a public EV charge point host, providing convenience to shoppers who own an electric car or suppliers with an electric van. ScottishPower can work with businesses to install fully-funded public EV charging points. This space would be leased from the retailer by ScottishPower who would cover the installation costs. The retailer would then earn a cut of the revenue every time someone uses the charge point. Businesses can find out if they are eligible at scottishpower.co.uk/business/ev-charging/public.
Additionally, if a site has a suitable roof or a spare piece of land, they might want to consider installing solar panels that could generate all the energy needed to power the business, as well as give them the potential to sell any surplus electricity generated back to the grid with a smart export guarantee tariff.
These are just a couple of ways businesses can help make their land or premises work harder for them.
Case study: St Austell Brewery
Last summer, St Austell Brewery announced plans to partner with ScottishPower to install over 300 new public EV chargers in pub car parks across the south west of England, an area with sparse EV charging points. With the collaboration between ScottishPower and the south west’s leading brewing, hospitality and drinks wholesale business now well underway, once complete it is expected to boost charging points by approximately 60%, with rapid and ultra-rapid units currently being installed across the region. Committed to achieving net zero emissions across its operations by 2040, St Austell Brewery has already upgraded its company car fleet and installed EV chargers for employees driving hybrid or electric vehicles across all its head offices.
Emily Coon, sustainability manager at St Austell Brewery, says: “We have a proud history of innovation, so working with ScottishPower to install public EV chargers is a great way to prepare our pubs for an electric future.
“Investing in this green tech will help us reduce our carbon footprint and, thanks to ScottishPower, we are able to do this at scale. We’re proud to be providing charging points for our local communities and creating an ‘electric tourist trail’ for anybody visiting our sites and this beautiful part of the country.”
Getting started on a greener journey
Knowing where to start can be daunting. Advice and support is available with ScottishPower which has created a green energy guide that businesses can download online. Containing tools to help understand energy usage, information on how to boost finances through green energy generation and the practical steps to achieving net zero, retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and producers can then begin their sustainable transition, because going greener makes good business sense.
Get in touch with a ScottishPower business energy expert by emailing smart.solutions.sales@scottishpower.com
