Retail and hospitality

Tailored energy solutions for retail stores, hotels, restaurants, gyms, and more.
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Trusted by industry leaders

Retail & hospitality unique energy challenges

Retail and hospitality businesses have unique energy demands, from refrigeration to 24/7 climate control, and face increasing expectations to operate more sustainably. We provide practical, data-led solutions that cut costs while keeping customers and staff comfortable.

Long operating hours

Stores, gyms, and hotels often run long hours, increasing exposure to peak pricing and demand charges.

Temperature & equipment loads

Refrigeration, HVAC, commercial kitchens, and laundry facilities can consume large amounts of power.

Sustainability expectations

Customers increasingly favour eco-conscious venues, creating a need to reduce emissions without disrupting service.

Energy oversight

Monitoring usage across multiple sites or zones can be complex without the right systems in place.

Zembl services
Our experts, your energy potential
For more than 15 years our experts have helped over 30,000 Australian businesses unlock the full potential of their energy with solutions that drive efficiency, save them time and improve their business bottom lines.
Energy bills
It begins by ensuring you’re on the best plan.

Our experts will compare, negotiate and secure competitive rates, and ensure you keep getting the best deal, beyond the first bill.
Energy insights
Next, we understand your efficiency potential.

Our experts use leading technology to analyse usage, generate insights and provide a personalised roadmap to unlocking efficiency.
Energy solutions
We then turn insight into efficiency action.

Based on your roadmap, our experts will help implement energy efficiency solutions that unlock your business’s full energy potential.
Commercial energy procurement
$41,000 saved by Cali Press Barrack Place through Zembl energy procurement
Why choose Zembl
15 years
experience
Local experts with 15 year’s experience, established relationships, and strong negotiating power to provide the service to look after you long term.
Over 30,000 customers
We've helped over 30,000 customers source their energy from our trusted panel of leading Australian retailers to help them get competitive deals.
97% positive feedback
We proudly hold a 4.7 out of 5-star rating based on over 2,100 reviews, along with an impressive 97% positive feedback rate.1
4 out of 5 recommend
4 out of 5 businesses would recommend using Zembl to other businesses for their energy needs.2
How we procure your energy contract
01 Consult
Businesses tell us their priorities and give us the green light to go to market on their behalf.
02 Find
We run the tender to find the best-fit energy solution based on the business’s goals.
03 Secure
We present the available rates, then once the business is happy, set the contract in motion.
04 Support
We support the business with energy intelligence and energy efficiency recommendations.
Our retail partners
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can we lower energy costs in a retail or hospitality business?

We secure tailored energy contracts suited to your business hours and usage patterns. Plus, we offer ongoing support with bill validation, tariff reviews, and usage analytics that help reduce unnecessary energy spend.

What are the top energy-saving opportunities in retail and hospitality?

We identify opportunities across HVAC, lighting, kitchen equipment, and refrigeration. Our trusted efficiency partners can implement upgrades like LED retrofits, Power Factor Correction devices, and solar solutions, all guided by your real energy data.

How do we reduce demand charges caused by equipment peaks?

We use real-time energy intelligence to pinpoint high-load periods and recommend strategies such as equipment staggering, demand management, or Power Factor Correction to help you avoid demand penalties.

Can we monitor energy use across different locations or areas?

Yes, with our AI-powered platform, you can monitor energy usage by zone, time of day, or equipment type. This helps you make data-informed decisions across stores, restaurants, or hotel facilities.

Is solar or battery storage viable for retail or hospitality businesses?

Often, yes - especially for large sites with steady daytime use. We analyse your usage data and connect you with our expert partners to assess feasibility and implement cost-saving systems.

Why work with Zembl instead of managing energy in-house?

From negotiating better rates to helping you track and optimise usage, we make energy simple and strategic, saving you time, money, and hassle.

How do I know if I am classed as a small or large business by my energy consumption, and what energy market should I be in?

The small energy market for SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) typically includes businesses consuming under 100,000 kWh of electricity or spending less than about $2,500 monthly on energy. Bills for these customers are usually sent quarterly.

On the other hand, the large energy market for C&I (commercial & industrial) businesses consists of those using over 100,000 kWh per year or spending more than about $2,500 a month. In NSW, VIC, QLD, and ACT, a C&I business is defined as one that consumes more than 100,000 kWh annually. In SA, this threshold is set at over 160,000 kWh per year, with bills always issued monthly.

What sets small business (SME) energy customers apart from large business (C&I) customers is that the large business customers can participate in, or qualify for, the wholesale energy market, enabling them to secure forward purchasing at better rates.

To figure out where you stand, simply check your energy bill. With this information, you should have no trouble determining if you've received a SME or C&I energy bill.

How can I compare commercial energy contracts effectively?

To compare commercial energy contracts effectively, start by filling out our online commercial energy form. After that, a Zembl Energy Consultant will call you to discuss your energy procurement needs and what your business is looking for.

Your Energy Consultant will conduct a free energy tender on your behalf, seeking the best energy rates from our panel of retailers. They will then present the options to you, and once you're satisfied, handle all the legwork to set your new contract in motion.

Why should I switch commercial energy providers?

Switching commercial energy providers can lead to improved service quality and access to better energy contracts. New providers may offer competitive rates, innovative solutions, and flexible contract terms.

Once you become a Zembl customer, you gain the advantage of having a dedicated Zembl Energy Consultant in your corner. When it’s time to renew your energy contract, your consultant will compare your current rates to the best offers available from our panel of retailers. Should you choose to switch to a new retailer, rest assured that your consultant will manage the entire process end-to-end, ensuring a seamless transition that maximises your savings and satisfies your energy needs.

Of course, we know that switching energy providers isn't always the best move for everyone. We take pride in securing competitive commercial energy rates for businesses, and we often work with the existing retailer to negotiate better terms and pricing, while also comparing to what is available from others on the market.

How often should I review my commercial energy contract?

Commercial energy contracts are typically locked in for the full term agreed upon, which can span several months to a few years. This stability is essential for budgeting and planning, but it also means that once you sign a contract, you are committed to the terms and pricing until it expires.

Therefore, the most strategic time to start reviewing your commercial energy contract is within the 12 months prior to the end of your current agreement. This early review allows businesses to assess market conditions, explore new pricing options, and negotiate competitive terms well ahead of contract renewal. By allowing Zembl's Energy Consultants to proactively manage your energy contract, you can ensure that you continue to stay on competitive rates.

What are the common mistakes to avoid when selecting a commercial energy contract?

Common mistakes when selecting a commercial energy contract include not thoroughly understanding contract terms, overlooking hidden fees, and failing to compare multiple retailers. Additionally, many businesses neglect to consider their long-term energy needs and potential changes in usage patterns. Avoiding these pitfalls can lead to more favourable outcomes and sustained cost efficiency.

With Zembl's Energy Procurement service, our experienced Energy Consultants will guide you through the entire process of selecting a commercial energy contract, ensuring you avoid common pitfalls. We understand the complexities involved in making the right choice, and our team is dedicated to providing you with tailored advice and support every step of the way. By leveraging our expertise, you can navigate the landscape confidently, eliminating the risk of overlooking crucial details or making uninformed decisions.

How can I reduce my commercial business's energy costs?

The first step is to understand your commercial business's energy costs by comparing your current rates with the rates available on the market, and that's exactly what Zembl's Energy Consultants do in the initial phase of the energy procurement process. This is the best way to see the energy rates available on the market at the time from our full panel of retailers, and our Energy Consultants can handle any of the heavy lifting to get you set up on the new contract.

After that, you'll benefit from Zembl's full Energy Intelligence service, which includes bill validation to spot and fix any errors, network tariff analysis for potential savings, Energy Expense Budgeting for electricity cost forecasts, and leveraging your meter data to uncover commercial energy efficiency opportunities like solar & battery solutions, LED lighting, heat pumps, Power Factor Correction, and Energy Audits—all facilitated by our trusted partners who can execute these initiatives for your business.

Using Zembl for your energy procurement and efficiency needs will mean you know more, use less, and ultimately pay less for your energy.

What should I consider when choosing a commercial energy contract?

Retailer reputation: Take into account a retailer’s customer service standards, online customer reviews, and their overall consistency and reliability. All retailers partnered with Zembl have undergone thorough vetting and are widely recognised as trustworthy and dependable.

Additional charges: Be aware of any additional charges not included in the base rate, and take the time to understand your network costs.

Renewable energy: If sustainability is important, consider contracts that include renewable energy sources, and check for any available green energy rebates.

Contract terms: Consider whether the length of the contract suits your business's needs, and be aware of any early termination fees for cancelling.

Energy thinking

Zembl is proud to be a signatory of the National Customer Code for Energy Brokers, Consultants and Retailers.

Zembl is proud to be a signatory of the National Customer Code for Energy Comparators & Energy Moving Services.

Availability of retailers and plans can vary state by state and is dependent on the property and connection type. At times commercial relationships may impact what retailers or plans are made available. Zembl does not represent every retailer in the market.

1Based on Zembl Product Review reviews as of June 2025.

2Based on feedback collected from customers between 1 January and 31 March 2025.