In adopting Aerofoil Energy’s market-leading fridge shelf-edge technology, WHSmith is set to make transformative energy and carbon emissions savings while significantly improving the retail experience for its customers.

Created in 1828, it now operates 1,200 stores across the UK and is increasing its international presence across Europe, Australia, South East Asia, India and the Middle East.

In their present design, open-fronted refrigerators lose significant amounts of cold air, creating inefficiencies that demand increased energy use. The Aerofoil is influenced by Formula One aerodynamics from Williams Advanced Engineering and helps guide cold air down the fridge more efficiently, meaning substantially less is spilt from the cabinet, resulting in lower energy use, fewer carbon emissions and warmer aisles in stores.

Paul McAndrew, Aerofoil Energy chief executive, said: “We are delighted that WHSmith has chosen Aerofoil to capitalise on the substantial benefits that our technology will bring to its retail estate. Our customers enjoy savings of up to 30 percent on refrigeration energy costs through this straightforward, cost-effective and retrofittable solution. By adopting Aerofoils, WHSmith becomes one of our truly global clients and we are excited to see Aerofoils appearing around the world as we roll out our technology into WHSmith stores.”

Ignite Energy conceived and implemented successful trials of Aerofoils in several WHSmith stores in the UK, paving the way for the adoption of the technology into the retailer’s existing estate as well as within new cabinet orders going forward.

Ignite Energy and WHSmith have a successful long-term partnership that has allowed them to reduce energy consumption significantly and provide better visibility of energy usage across the business. Projects implemented have covered a wide variety of technologies targeting energy reduction in lighting, refrigeration and HVAC.

Clare Meehan of WHSmith said: “Fitting Aerofoils across our retail estate will make a major contribution to our corporate responsibility programme, most importantly by lowering our energy consumption and related emissions, but also by improving product quality and reducing product waste.”