Business Energy for Retail & High Street

It depends on size, opening hours and whether you have refrigeration. As a guide, most shops spend between £250 and £2,500 a month on gas and electricity, with food retailers at the higher end because of constant chilling and freezing.

For most shops, lighting is the biggest single cost because it runs throughout trading hours. For food retailers, refrigeration usually overtakes it, costing £800 to £1,800 a month in some convenience stores. Heating and cooling come next.

Start with the contract, since the wrong tariff or out-of-contract rates are the most common cause of overpaying. Then target the big three: LED lighting and controls, fridge efficiency and night blinds, and cutting overnight standby. The Carbon Trust links a 20% energy cut to a 5% sales effect on profit.

A fixed-rate contract usually suits retail best, locking in your unit rate and standing charge so you can budget through the year. We compare fixed terms from one to five years and advise on the best time to lock in.

Yes. Retail chains and multi-branch businesses can consolidate every shop onto one supplier, with one bill and one renewal date, even where contracts currently end on different dates. It cuts admin and your combined usage can unlock a better rate.

If your site peak demand reaches 100kW, a half-hourly (HH) meter is required by law. Larger stores and supermarkets often fall into this band. HH meters give detailed usage data, which our team uses to sharpen your deal.

Yes, and many do. Most suppliers offer renewable electricity tariffs, now often priced in line with standard ones. A green tariff can support your sustainability goals and is something a growing number of customers value.

No. Switching only changes the company that bills and manages your supply. The cables, pipes and physical supply stay exactly the same, with no interruption, so your shop trades as normal.

It depends on your current rates, contract and usage, but retail sites on out-of-contract or default rates are often overpaying. The quickest way to find out is to compare with your postcode or speak to a retail specialist.