Walmart opts for energy efficient GE LEDs for stores

10 Apr '14

5 min read

Walmart announced plans to purchase energy-efficient LED ceiling lighting fixtures for new supercenters in the United States, stores in Asia and Latin America, and Asda locations in the United Kingdom.

The new fixtures will use 40 percent less energy than lighting sources historically used in stores, and will help further the retailer’s goal to reduce the kilowatt hour (kWh) per square foot of energy required to power Walmart’s buildings globally 20 percent by 2020. This is Walmart’s largest purchase of GE LED lighting to date, and the most recent example of leadership from Walmart and GE to find and scale innovative, energy-efficient lighting solutions.

“We have worked to find and scale energy-efficient LED lighting solutions that are cost effective and high quality, and now working with GE, we’re paving the way to make this a mainstream solution for the retail industry,” said Doug McMillon, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

“LEDs have become an integral part of our energy efficiency model for our stores and play a key role in achieving our overall sustainability goals. Just as important, the energy cost savings coming from these innovations will help us maintain the low prices our customers depend on us to provide.”

With the main sales floor lighting representing approximately 90 percent of the total lighting usage in each building, this implementation will reduce energy use per store by more than 5 percent in the U.S. alone. The lights have a longer life span than traditional lighting fixtures and also offer significant savings in maintenance costs.

Installation of the new GE LED ceiling lighting will kick off this month at Asda, Walmart’s business in the U.K. In 2014 alone, Walmart and GE project overall new stores and lighting energy savings compared to prior lighting fixtures to total as follows:

-Brazil: 30 store remodels; 41 percent energy savings

-Central America: 10 new stores; 54 - 59 percent energy savings

-China: 24 new stores, 16 store remodels; 42 percent energy savings

-Mexico: 37 new stores; 45 percent energy savings

-U.K.: 10 new stores; 45 - 51 percent energy savings

-U.S.: 30 new stores; 15 percent energy savings

“We’ve had a long and successful relationship with Walmart, increasing our environmental efforts together,” said Jeff Immelt, GE Chairman and CEO. “A leader in seeking energy efficiency in the retail industry, Walmart’s energy-conscious focus allows the company to attain a substantial cost savings in electricity. We value our longstanding relationship with Walmart and are proud to work with them in reducing their environmental impact.

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