Energy Solutions for
Ontario Retailers
Designed for Ontario retailers of all sizes, from single storefronts to multi-location brands.
Ontario Wholesale Energy is a boutique energy retailer that provides custom electricity and natural gas contracts tailored to the needs of independent retailers, specialty shops, and multi-location store groups. With experience serving over 44,000 Ontario business accounts, including a wide range of retail concepts, we develop contracts that align with your store layout, operating hours, and equipment requirements. Contract options range from one to five years, with a *cancel-anytime option available for small-volume clients.
Your utility continues to deliver your energy and issue your bill. OWE secures your rate and structures your contract based on the operational needs of your retail locations.
Energy Demand in Retail Operations
Long Operating Hours and Customer-Driven Usage
Retail stores often operate extended hours, requiring continuous lighting, climate control, and equipment operation. Customer volumes throughout the day influence how HVAC and environmental systems run, creating a steady, predictable load across front-of-store and stockroom spaces.
Seasonal Shifts Across Store Environments
Energy use changes throughout the year as heating, cooling, and ventilation systems respond to temperature swings. Winter requires sustained heating, while warmer months increase demand for cooling to maintain comfortable shopping environments and protect temperature-sensitive merchandise.
Multiple Spaces With Distinct Requirements
Retail stores include several functional zones, sales floors, fitting rooms, back-of-house storage, offices, and exterior signage, each with its own operational profile. Multi-location brands may oversee stores with different building types, layouts, and metering arrangements, creating varied energy patterns across the portfolio.
How Custom Plans Help Retailers
Retail environments operate with steady electrical requirements throughout the day, from lighting and HVAC to equipment in stockrooms and customer areas. A custom structure helps establish consistency in how energy is priced across these areas, even as usage varies with seasonal patterns, store hours, or merchandising needs. For multi-location retailers, this type of rate structure can support a unified approach to contract planning across different store formats.
If you are evaluating whether a custom plan aligns with your store’s operational profile, we can help you review your options.
Electricity & Natural Gas, What to Know
Electricity
Electricity powers the systems that shape the retail experience, from customer comfort to product presentation. Lighting, HVAC, signage, and point-of-sale areas depend on a reliable electrical supply across all operating hours.
Sales Floors and Customer Areas: Electricity supports store ambiance, comfort, and accessibility. Electricity for lighting, HVAC, signage, and environmental controls.
Stockrooms and Support Spaces: Back-of-house areas require consistent energy for safety and functionality. Electricity for lighting, equipment, and ventilation systems.
Specialty Merchandising Environments: Certain retail categories use electricity for temperature- or equipment-specific needs. Electricity for display cases, accent lighting, or climate-sensitive merchandise areas.
Natural Gas
Natural gas supports heating and environmental conditions in many retail spaces, particularly during colder seasons.
Building Heat and Ventilation: Retail environments require consistent temperatures for customer comfort and merchandise preservation. Natural gas for space heating and makeup air units.
Back-of-House and Support Areas: Some stores rely on natural gas for hot water or heating in operational spaces. Natural gas for water heating and support system demands.
Multi-Unit or Large-Format Retail Spaces: Big-box or multi-story locations may use natural gas across large mechanical systems. Natural gas for centralized heating and air-handling equipment
What You’ll Get in a Free Energy Audit
Plan for a 15-minute call. Please share a recent energy bill (photo/PDF) during the call.
During the call, your Energy Advisor will:
- Learn about your business
- Evaluate your current bill(s)
- Answer all of your questions
- Discuss options that may better suit your business operations
Multi-Location & Franchises
Retail brands with multiple stores often manage locations in different building types, plazas, or urban settings. Each site may follow its own usage pattern or mechanical configuration. OWE applies its boutique approach to create contract structures that reflect these variations and support your business.
Whether your organization operates a handful of stores or a wider network, we work with your team to shape contract terms aligned with the operational characteristics of each location. Your utility continues to deliver and bill for energy. Our role is to secure the rate structure that supports your multi-site retail model.
Why Retailers Choose Ontario Wholesale Energy
Built for Customer-Facing, Equipment-Driven Environments
Retail stores depend on reliable energy for lighting, climate control, and customer experience. Our energy advisors work with you to develop a contract that suits your business operations.
Transparent, Custom Approach
As a boutique energy retailer, we explain options clearly and work with you to develop a contract suited to your stores’ operational needs.
Long-Term Structure for Multi-Zone Retail Spaces
A well-structured plan supports the varied requirements of sales floors, stockrooms, offices, and signage systems, helping create consistency across your retail operations
Talk to an Energy Advisor
Want help understanding if a custom energy contract would benefit your business?
Our team can walk you through your options in plain language, no jargon, no pressure.