SPAR Austria is reducing the hours it uses its lighting systems in SPAR, EUROSPAR, and INTERSPAR stores nationwide. Storefront advertising and outdoor lighting will only be switched on 30 minutes before and after store opening hours. Previously, lights were on between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., depending on the amount of daylight. By being more savvy about the usage of lighting systems, SPAR Austria expects to reduce its energy expenditure by one million kilowatt hours annually.

About 800 SPAR Austria stores nationwide are set to implement these energy-saving measures. SPAR logos and store entrances, as well as store car parks, will only be lit for 30 minutes prior to opening and after closing at SPAR and EUROSPAR stores. At INTERSPAR Hypermarkets, this will be 60 minutes prior to and after business hours. These periods are necessary to ensure that customers and employees can arrive and leave the store safely.

In locations where SPAR is not in charge of the outdoor facilities, such as shopping centres, SPAR Austria is encouraging landlords to use energy more consciously.

Efficient lighting

SPAR Austria has been optimising its store lighting systems for many years. Switching to LED lighting has already reduced its energy use significantly. These LED systems were developed specifically for SPAR Austria’s needs in cooperation with Austrian manufacturers and have been the standard in all new and converted SPAR stores since 2011. The latest generation of these light sources uses 80% less energy than the fluorescent tubes and spotlights used previously.

SPAR Austria has also adjusted its lighting systems to the actual brightness required. Each store is equipped with light sensors that switch on outdoor lamps for only as long as is necessary. At night, only the legally required escape route lighting is turned on instore, as well as security lights in the checkout zone in stores at risk of burglary.

Sustainable energy supply

SPAR Austria has over the past years adopted a three-step approach to make its energy usage more sustainable. Firstly, the SPAR organisation seeks to reduce its energy consumption through, for example, efficient equipment, LED lighting, and heat recovery systems in refrigeration units. Secondly, SPAR continuously seeks to expand its capabilities to produce green electricity. A total of 130 SPAR Austria stores are equipped with rooftop photovoltaic systems to help generate green electricity. Another 14 plants will be added this year. In addition, SPAR Austria Group operates two hydroelectric power plants in Innsbruck and Graz. Thirdly, SPAR Austria started purchasing climate-neutral energy from domestic energy suppliers in 2019.

Source: SPAR Austria

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About SPAR Austria

The origins of SPAR in Austria date back to 1954, but the current SPAR AG was created in 1970 when the original founding families joined other regional wholesalers to form SPAR Austria AG – a 100% privately owned Austrian company.

With licences granted by SPAR International, ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) has developed the brand in Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, and Northern Italy. With sales of €8.3 billion and impressive growth of 16%, SPAR Austria became the market leader in the Austrian grocery trade in 2020, after being a market growth leader for over a decade. It maintained this leadership position in 2021.