Energy Efficiency in Grocery Distribution in Denmark - 1960 to the Present

Panel: Panel 5: Energy efficiency in transport

Author:
Kaj Jørgensen, Technical University of Denmark Department of Buildings and Energy

Abstract

The development of the energy efficiency of Danish grocery distribution from 1960 to the present is analysed, covering both the supply system (to the retail shops) and the shopping transport (from shops to individual homes). This period has been characterised by fundamental restructuring of the retail sector, including the grocery sector, and by thorough changes in consumption and shopping patterns. During the same period, the large-scale introduction of the motor vehicles (passenger cars, vans, trucks) took place in Denmark, and therefore, the changes have been closely linked to the motorisation of grocery distribution.

From 1960 to the present, the number of grocery retail shops has been reduced by about 60%, and also the shop types and locations have changed fundamentally. In addition, the loyalty of the consumers towards the nearest shops has declined considerably.

In a study carried out by the author, the transport, energy and environmental effects of those changes have been analysed. Between 1960 and 1993, the transport demand for grocery distribution has been found to have increased nearly 4 times on the shopping side (passenger transport) and nearly 3 times on the supply side (freight transport), while the fuel consumption (and CO2-emissions) has increased 2,5 times. Only about 40% of the increase can be explained by grocery consumption growth, whereas the remainder can be termed as deterioration of the distribution efficiency.