The proof was in
the pilot
Implementing an energy management programme requires a significant investment in time and money. To obtain full business buy-in and demonstrate the opportunity, the EcoAct team ran a pilot programme at the Manchester store. To minimise costs, the pilot used existing data and systems to conduct a day and night audit of the site. The output from this was an itemised and costed list of energy reduction opportunities. However, the pilot did not stop there. In addition to monitoring energy consumption for 6 months, bringing down baseload and exploring unusual consumption, the EcoAct team provided implementation support to ensure the successful implementation of the savings measures.
The measures adopted resulted in significant energy and cost savings. The pilot scheme cut electricity usage by 17% and gas usage by 6% in the first 12 months, achieving over 100% return on the retailer’s investment.

Harvey Nichols is the UK’s premier luxury fashion retailer. Founded in 1831 as a linen shop in a terraced house on the corner of Knightsbridge and Sloane Street in London, the fascinating history of the department store has seen it grow to complement what is now an iconic London site with an additional 6 stores in the UK and the Oxo restaurant near Tower Bridge.