As the retail sector evolves, Building Services and Premises Managers are seeking new ways to enhance customer in-store experiences, while improving efficiency and sustainability. Ben Tiffany, M&E Director at Sigma, explores how the changing nature of retail fit-outs is driving the delivery of smart spaces that are increasingly dynamic, scalable and flexible.
Ben Tiffany
New needs – new challenges
Times are changing in the retail sector. Today’s customers and workforces demand spaces that are not just aesthetically pleasing but which are equipped with 21st-century mod cons. Features such as climate control, ambient lighting and tech-enabled workspaces are expected as standard.
While these modern conveniences can be beneficial for attracting and retaining customers and employees, they can also consume significant amounts of energy, driving up energy bills and carbon footprints. The challenge for retail companies, and the fit-out partners they work with, is to deliver improvements in a sustainable way – one in which energy consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced.
At the same time, given the ways that stores change over time, any work undertaken must also provide for scalability and flexibility, so that spaces can remain dynamic. Implemented effectively, this can make future fit-outs quicker, less disruptive and less expensive.
How fit-outs can reduce energy consumption
Retail decarbonisation involves reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions from buildings, infrastructure and industrial processes. Achieving these and bringing energy costs down means more than simply replacing fossil fuels.
For professionals in Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) services, one of the most important factors is to consider the most appropriate energy-efficient systems for specific buildings. These can include heat pumps, solar panels, LED lighting, Smart Battery Management systems (BMS), optimised heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP).
Shifting away from gas-fired heating towards more sustainable solutions such as solar also power storage, enables retail companies to embrace renewables, while smart controls and automation help reduce waste and maximise efficiency in real-time. A fabric-first approach is also needed to ensure buildings are well-insulated and airtight where possible and that the right heat recovery ventilation is installed.
In terms of scalability and flexibility, lifecycle thinking must be part of the decision-making process to ensure that systems are designed and maintained for long-term sustainability and future growth.
A strategic approach to fit-outs
As no two buildings or projects are the same, getting the best results requires a strategic approach to ensure carbon reduction, compliance and a balancing of costs.
For projects like solar energy installations for example, it begins with contractors taking the time to understand a client’s sustainability goals, a property’s make-up, existing energy use and suitability for different solar panels. Adopting this approach allows the contractor to create solutions that can deliver ROI from estimated energy savings as well as CO2 improvements.
On-site surveys are used to refine system design and ensure safety and compliance, which can include assessments of roof condition, structural capacity and electrical infrastructure, also the feasibility of installing power storage units. Applications for grid connection approval may also required.
All this is followed by the design and planning stage, during which a detailed installation strategy with exact costs and timeline is produced. Once approved, the installation schedule is confirmed, and the build phase is prepared.
A program of works will also be coordinated to ensure a smooth process with minimal disruption including construction scheduling, logistics, build times also all the health and safety requirements,
During installation, expert teams install the improvements safely and with minimal disruption, carrying out quality checks and safety inspections before new systems are switched on. Commissioning follows, during which performance tests are run and employees are given a full demonstration of the system. For solar solutions, monitoring tools will be set up and a digital pack with all warranties and system details will be handed over to the retailer.
Trusted providers frequently go beyond these measures, providing annual reviews to track performance and explore efficiency upgrades, together with the recycling of removed systems and materials to reduce the waste sent to landfill.
For companies like Sigma, retail fit-out upgrades are no longer a purely aesthetic or customer experience level, they need to provide efficiency gains that help clients achieve sustainability strategies.
Having implemented sustainability measures in-house, the importance of sustainability is a company wide attitude, transforming retail space is not just about form; it is about function and most importantly understanding clients’ needs to ensure their goals are met.
To find out how Sigma can transform your space visit https://sigmagrp.co.uk/.
