France’s Largest Retail Chains Commit to Lower Electricity Use Amid Power-Shortage Worries
In response to the looming risk of power outages, France’s biggest retail groups have agreed to curtail electricity consumption starting October 15, 2022. This agreement emerged from discussions reported by the retail trade federation, Periferm, and signals a shift toward long term energy sobriety across the sector.
The protocol aims to establish lasting changes in how energy is used day to day. It promotes concrete actions that retailers can begin implementing immediately, with October 15 serving as the first milestone. Thierry Cotillard, who leads Perifem, emphasizes that the plan is not a one off but a sustained effort designed to transform consumption patterns across the industry.
According to the federation, the study that began on June 30 identified practical measures that can help numerous retailers cut electricity use and reduce the risk of outages. Government data and industry forecasts indicate that under a 2018 law, the entire retail sector in France is working toward a broader goal: a 40 percent reduction in electricity consumption by 2030. Realizing this target, however, requires government support to help cover the costs and accelerate implementation across networks and stores.
Executives note that electricity bills take up a significant share of net income this year, approaching about one third. A potential doubling of electricity costs next year could squeeze margins and push prices higher for consumers. In light of these pressures, industry leaders stress the importance of coordinated action and information sharing to mitigate any sharp rise in consumer prices while maintaining service levels.
In another energy update, Japan recently activated its energy-saving measures for the first time in seven years. The government urged households and businesses to reduce consumption through the end of summer as a safeguard against tighter electricity reserves. With a heatwave affecting most regions, Japan estimated that the power reserve ratio could dip slightly below critical levels, underscoring the global relevance of energy efficiency efforts and reserve planning across major economies. This context helps explain why European retailers are moving ahead with more stringent consumption controls and collaborative responses to energy volatility and climate-related demand peaks, aiming to protect reliability and consumer affordability for the months ahead. Attribution: retail federation reports and government analyses.