Tesco Opens Zero-carbon Supermarket

Latest green effort by British grocery company


U.K.-based grocery retailer Tesco has opened a location that it says is the world’s first “zero-carbon” supermarket. Located in Ramsey, England, the store was built on a frame made from sustainable timber and has skylights calibrated to allow in natural lighting without raising the heat level. Other features include through strategically located vents that use outside air to reduce cooling expenses; an on-site generator that runs on renewable materials, including spent vegetable oil; and low-emissions refrigeration units.


In September, Tesco subsidiary Fresh & Easy opened its first LEED gold certified store, located in Cathedral City, Calif. When compared to energy used at other supermarkets, Fresh & Easy uses roughly 32 percent less energy per square foot across its 130 locations.


For the third quarter ended November 28, the supermarket giant reported same-stores sales in the U.K. rose 2.8 percent. Group sales during the period increased 8.8 percent. “Our investment in growth - in new space and from the two acquisitions last year - is providing us with good momentum and a strong platform for the future,” says ceo Sir Terry Leahy.

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