Region’s Premier Closeout Retailer embarks on multi-million dollar project to reduce energy usage across 131 stores
Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), a privately-held, family-operated discount retail chain with 131 stores in New England, New York, and New Jersey is pleased to announce a companywide investment in green energy and electricity savings by upgrading to LED lightbulbs and advanced lighting control systems in each of its 131 retails locations, as well as in its 1.5 million square foot distribution center. Once installed, in combination with the state of the art control systems, the company expects an annual savings of more than $2.7 million dollars in energy costs.
“This rollout has been a long time coming, and we are thrilled to be able to announce this exciting project,” said Geoffrey Poirier, Energy Project Manager, Ocean State Job Lot. “In conjunction with this project, and the many other energy and environment-friendly company policies, we’ve recently formed a “Green Team,” whose purpose is to identify new and expand current sustainability efforts company-wide.”
LED lighting with control systems have already been installed in the company’s 1.5 million square foot distribution center in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and at recently-opened new stores in Fall River, MA, Woonsocket, RI, Falmouth, ME, and South Plainfield, NJ, to name a few. Conversion of remaining stores is ongoing.
“We believe it’s our social responsibility to reduce our energy usage as much as possible,” said Marc Perlman, Principal Owner and CEO, Ocean State Job Lot. “We recently made a $2 million investment to relamp our distribution center, and we’re now beginning a $12 million project to replace the lighting in 100 of our 131 stores this year, with the remainder of our stores to be completed next year. In addition to saving energy, these improvements create a better, brighter overall shopping experience for our customers.”
Once complete, roughly 50,000 lighting fixtures and more than 100,000 fluorescent lamps will have been replaced. Ocean State Job Lot anticipates using 17.4 million less kilowatt hours of energy in the next year due to the upgrades. In conjunction with the LED rollout; a new Energy Management (EMS) platform will be implemented. This platform is a cloud-based system that will allow for controls of both lighting and HVAC systems. The program will be able to have daylighting and dimming capabilities, further saving on energy costs.
Further investments in HVAC technology, waste management and recycling, solar energy systems, water consumption and overall sustainability are on the horizon to further reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
Ocean State Job Lot has made its mark in the discount-retail segment through opportunistic buying which allows it to pass along huge savings to consumers. OSJL offers an ever-evolving selection of first-quality, close-out merchandise at unbelievable prices.
It recently celebrated four decades in business by expanding its Rhode Island-based distribution center to 1.5 million square feet and adding hundreds of new jobs to the company’s roster of more than 5,000 employees. The company’s Insider Club loyalty program which launched in 2017 has more than 2 million members who can take advantage of additional savings through digital coupons and other exclusive deep-discount weekly deals. And the company was named by Forbes magazine as a 2017 and 2018 “Best Midsize Employer.”
About Ocean State Job Lot
Now in its 40th year, Ocean State Job Lot is a growing, privately held discount retail chain with 131 stores in New England, New York, and New Jersey, approximately 5,000 employees, and annual sales exceeding $675 million. Job Lot sells brand name, first quality merchandise at closeout prices. Shoppers find an ever-changing array of household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (holiday, gardening, patio, pool and beach supply), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price. The company was named by Forbes Magazine as a 2017 and 2018 “Best Midsize Employer.”
The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, placing emphasis on local food banks in communities where Job Lot operates stores. The Foundation also supports medical and literacy initiatives, disaster relief efforts, the performing arts, military service members and their families, seniors, teachers, first responders, and special needs and foster children. Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered at 375 Commerce Park Road in the Quonset Point Business Park, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Phone: (401) 295-2672; Web: OceanStateJobLot.com.
