Our continued improvements in energy efficiency would not be possible without the support and hard work of our team members and partners. Change requires communication and throughout 2023, we continued to encourage behavioural changes across all our banners. We constantly engage with our operations team to monitor improvements through our technician network and ensure all our teams are empowered to adopt best practices. In addition, our Energy Champions, such as our store and regional managers, all have energy-saving targets and increased accountability for energy efficiency.

We hope our consistent action to monitor energy efficiency and increase energy savings will further reduce costs and minimise our environmental impact. These efforts have also resulted in recognition, including the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence - Super Gold Award, which we won for the sixth time in 2023. We are also the three times winner of the Joint Energy Saving CLP Smart Energy Award for Wellcome, 7-Eleven and Mannings.

i. Energy efficiency upgrades and technology installation

Throughout 2023 our energy teams often worked through the night to convert LED lighting in 716 stores across Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. They also installed a significant amount of technology in our existing refrigeration systems, working on more than 1,700 projects in our convenience and food stores across Hong Kong and Singapore. These improvements were made to compressors and fans within the refrigeration systems that facilitate greater adaptability when dealing with varying ambient conditions.
To optimise energy consumption and reduce energy waste, we installed electricity sub-meters to monitor the energy usage of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems in our stores in real-time. This allows team members to track consumption patterns and identify opportunities for improvements in energy saving, while also ensuring all the equipment is running at optimal levels and minimising energy waste. The sub-meters also provide visibility on exceptional events so our team can take action as needed.

We also installed motion detectors in low foot traffic areas at our stores, including back-of-house areas such as stock rooms. These detectors automatically control lighting, ensuring lights go off when there is no activity in the area, removing the need for manual intervention and helping to avoid wasting electricity. Wellcome has also installed smart air conditioning controls, utilising advanced technology that ensures the air conditioning operates at optimal levels.

ii. Switching to environmentally friendly equipment in 7-Eleven South China

Our 7-Eleven stores in South China have also been optimising equipment to reduce their energy consumption and environmental impact. Starting in September 2023, we have replaced traditional lighting with energy-saving LEDs and upgraded air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment in the region. More stores are now using refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP) values in the freezers and open chill display refrigerators.
We have also been installing anti-condensation controls on open chill freezer equipment, upgrading large tabletop freezers and reducing the use of acrylic insulation panels.

iii. Minimising the use of electrical equipment at Lucky Cambodia

Meanwhile in Cambodia, DFI Lucky supermarkets have been developing and implementing strategies to minimise energy consumption and costs since late 2022. This energy conservation initiative, encompassing air conditioning, refrigerators and front lighting, was successfully implemented in all 84 Lucky supermarkets during 2023.
To optimise air conditioner usage, we reduced the number of units in operation from eight to three or four, depending on factors such as size of store, location, outdoor temperature, and customer traffic. After analysing our refrigerator use, we reorganised display space to minimise energy consumption and costs. Additionally, we have moved items that can be stored at room temperature out of refrigerators.
As well as identifying and reducing unnecessary lighting during the night, we installed automatic timers for front of store lighting, further optimising power consumption. As a result of these initiatives, we have achieved significant cost savings of up to US$30,000 per month in Cambodia.