Walmart to install LEDs in ceilings, cutting lighting energy use by 40%

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart, a pioneer in the use of LED lighting systems in signage, freezer cases and parking lots, is expanding its use of LEDs to the sales floor. In a major move, the retailer plans to install energy-efficient LED ceiling lighting from GE in its new supercenters in the United States, along with stores in Asia, Latin America, and the United Kingdom. In all, 200 new Walmart stores will adopt the new GE LED ceiling lighting during the next two years, which translates into a total energy savings of 620 million kWh over the next 10 years.



The new fixtures use 40% less energy than traditional lighting sources, and will help further the retailer’s goal to reduce the kilowatt hour (kWh) per square foot of energy required to power its buildings globally 20% by 2020. The stores will use a variety of GE lighting technologies, with the Lumination IS Series Luminaires being prominent in the ceiling application.



With the main sales floor lighting representing approximately 90% of the total lighting usage in each Walmart building, this implementation will reduce energy use per store by more than 5% in the U.S. alone. Additional savings will result from the longer life and minimal maintenance requirements of LEDs, compared to more traditional lamps.



The chain’s decision to use LEDs to light the sales floor follows a successful application in a Walmart supercenter in Sourth Euclid, Ohio. The pilot help validate the performance of GE’s Lumination IS products for ceiling lighting



“We have worked to find and scale energy-efficient LED lighting solutions that are cost effective and high quality, and now working with GE, we’re paving the way to make this a mainstream solution for the retail industry,” said Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores. “LEDs have become an integral part of our energy efficiency model for our stores and play a key role in achieving our overall sustainability goals.”



Walmart will start the implementation of the LED ceiling lighting this month, at its Asda U.K. division. In 2014, Walmart and GE project overall new stores and lighting energy savings compared to prior lighting fixtures to total as follows:



• Brazil: 30 store remodels; 41% energy savings

• Central America: 10 new stores; 54-59% energy savings

• China: 24 new stores, 16 store remodels; 42% energy savings

• Mexico: 37 new stores; 45% energy savings

• U.K.: 10 new stores; 45% - 51% energy savings

• U.S.: 30 new stores; 15% energy savings



This is Walmart’s largest purchase of GE LED lighting to date.



“We’ve had a long and successful relationship with Walmart, increasing our environmental efforts together,” said Jeff Immelt, GE Chairman and CEO. “A leader in seeking energy efficiency in the retail industry, Walmart’s energy-conscious focus allows the company to attain a substantial cost savings in electricity. We value our longstanding relationship with Walmart and are proud to work with them in reducing their environmental impact.”