Small Retailers Make A Difference
08/08/09 19:16 Filed in: Green Eco
I was recently interviewed by Marketnews Magazine regarding our Eco Friendly Green business practices.
“A small retailer may think that changing a bulb or two in their shop isn’t meaningful because they can’t change the thousands of bulbs that Walmart or Loblaw can; but, all things being relative, they’re not looking at the same energy bill as Walmart or Loblaw. Going green isn’t just for the big guys, smaller independent retailers and distribution companies can also make a big difference.
Harry Saini owns a custom A/V retail store in Vancouver, BC called Digital Smart Homes. To help the environment and save on fuel costs, he started delivering home theatre systems and consumer electronics via a bicycle and small
trailer. Outside of the downtown area (and during the winter), he makes deliveries with a Honda Element, which features I-VTEC technology for reduced emissions and higher fuel economy. While Saini can’t convince everyone to don a bike helmet for the sake of the environment, there are other ways this small retailer saves energy. The lights in the store are kept on a timer to reduce energy consumption. Invoices are emailed to customers, rather than printed.
The focus is on Energy Star and other energy-efficient products. In some cases, vendors that deal with the store will dropship orders directly to the customer, instead of making two stops, which saves gas, time and money. “We have 11 or 12 TVs in our store and we keep about three of them on,” he says. “Having our TVs off actually keeps our store cooler, so I don’t have to fire up the AC. Last year at this time, my AC was blowing full blast.” Home theatre systems also produce a lot of heat, so every home theatre system in the store is turned off until a customer wants to see it. “AC is a killer when it comes to energy.” Regardless, this doesn’t save a ton of money, only about $30 a month. And the landlord covers the electricity bill, whether every TV is on or not. But, if energy prices continue to rise, this will become a more significant issue in coming years.
But it’s not just about money. “People that buy from us are getting educated at the same time, and that’s passed on,” says Saini. At this point, about one in 10 customers is asking for more energy-efficient products. “It’s up to retailers to educate
customers about energy consumption. Down the road, it’s going to have a huge impact. It’s the Green Revolution; if you’re not on board now, it will severely affect one’s business.”
Digital Smart Homes started a new division called EcoSmart Automation + Media, which focuses on energy solutions for businesses and homeowners. Aside from selling TVs and home theatre systems, it’s meant to show customers how to integrate technology, because the more you integrate, the less you’re consuming.”
Marketnews
By Vawn Himmelsbach
Full article http://www.marketnews.ca/content/index/page?pid=5735
“A small retailer may think that changing a bulb or two in their shop isn’t meaningful because they can’t change the thousands of bulbs that Walmart or Loblaw can; but, all things being relative, they’re not looking at the same energy bill as Walmart or Loblaw. Going green isn’t just for the big guys, smaller independent retailers and distribution companies can also make a big difference.
Harry Saini owns a custom A/V retail store in Vancouver, BC called Digital Smart Homes. To help the environment and save on fuel costs, he started delivering home theatre systems and consumer electronics via a bicycle and small
trailer. Outside of the downtown area (and during the winter), he makes deliveries with a Honda Element, which features I-VTEC technology for reduced emissions and higher fuel economy. While Saini can’t convince everyone to don a bike helmet for the sake of the environment, there are other ways this small retailer saves energy. The lights in the store are kept on a timer to reduce energy consumption. Invoices are emailed to customers, rather than printed.
But it’s not just about money. “People that buy from us are getting educated at the same time, and that’s passed on,” says Saini. At this point, about one in 10 customers is asking for more energy-efficient products. “It’s up to retailers to educate
customers about energy consumption. Down the road, it’s going to have a huge impact. It’s the Green Revolution; if you’re not on board now, it will severely affect one’s business.”
Digital Smart Homes started a new division called EcoSmart Automation + Media, which focuses on energy solutions for businesses and homeowners. Aside from selling TVs and home theatre systems, it’s meant to show customers how to integrate technology, because the more you integrate, the less you’re consuming.”
Marketnews
By Vawn Himmelsbach
Full article http://www.marketnews.ca/content/index/page?pid=5735
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