Aldi, Lidl, Rewe and Edeka save electricity and gas. The first branches are implementing the first savings measures for the first cold snap this year. For customers, this means they have to be prepared for a few changes. FOCUS online says what you need to consider.
Preparations for winter are already in full swing.
By mid-October at the latest and shortly before the start of winter, most branches should have implemented far-reaching energy-saving measures.
Since the beginning of September, supermarkets and discounters have had to switch off their outdoor lighting in the evening. There are also no advertising boards in parking lots in the evening hours. This is provided for by the regulation of the federal government, which was passed in an energy security law.
As the press offices report online when asked by FOCUS, branches such as Rewe, Lidl, Kaufland, Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd have already made extensive adjustments.
As it is said in background discussions from the industry, the heating in the branches should be turned down by at least two degrees in autumn and winter. The aim is to exploit the savings targets in such a way that the health or performance of employees is not affected.
“We take the current situation very seriously and are monitoring further developments,” emphasizes Aldi Süd on request. Even before the Russian war broke out in Ukraine, the company had already implemented measures “that contribute to energy efficiency in the stores and in the logistics centers”.
One is already very far and well prepared for the winter here. Aldi Nord makes a similar statement. “Not just since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis, but basically as part of our sustainability efforts, we have implemented numerous efficiency measures and are constantly examining further savings potential,” says a company spokesman.
The REWE Group explains, for example, that the branches of the group rely on so-called energy officers who “check energy-saving options” at regular intervals. They would sensitize employees and inform them about possible energy-saving measures. The Rewe Group operates, among other things, Rewe, Penny and Toom stores throughout Germany.
Light motion detectors are installed in the break rooms for employees. If nobody is there, the lights stay off.
At the entrance, customers may no longer find an action area, report Edeka merchants on request. Supermarkets want to prevent the sliding doors from opening and closing unnecessarily. At the same time, doors that open and close automatically should open and close much more quickly.
This is intended to keep the interior temperature constant and protect branches better from the cold outside.
Large department stores, which always keep their doors open, should now close them in winter. “This measure is already frequently implemented in practice today. Closed doors can make a major contribution to saving energy,” says Stefan Genth, head of the German Trade Association.
The first Edeka merchants have posted signs in their branches. If you take a frozen pizza or fish fingers from the refrigerated counter, you should only open the freezer door if you really want to buy the product. “Please close the freezer quickly,” says one of the signs.
As FOCUS learned online, the heaters at Rewe, Edeka, Aldi, Lidl and Netto Marken-Discount are also turned down. This applies to sales and break rooms. A temperature of 19 degrees should then apply to the entire area.
Since September 1, supermarkets, discounters, department stores and retailers have been switching off their outdoor lighting from 10 p.m.
The lights also go out in the shop windows. In principle, the companies should switch on the respective lighting at nightfall from around 5 p.m. and then switch it off again within five hours.
