Canadian Tire Georgetown is an 80,000-square-foot retail store serving thousands of customers every week. In 2012, owner Tom Case began exploring ways to improve store lighting, reduce maintenance, and control rising energy costs. That search led him to Think Green Solutions and the beginning of a long-term partnership that continues today.
Across three retrofit phases in 2012, 2015, and 2024, Think Green Solutions delivered LED lighting systems that operated for more than a decade with virtually no maintenance. The upgrades resulted in a noticeably brighter retail floor, improved employee comfort, and more than $670,000 in verified savings through reduced electricity and maintenance costs.
Before partnering with Think Green Solutions, the store faced several performance and operational issues: increasing electricity costs, frequent fluorescent tube failures, uneven illumination on the retail floor, and dull lighting that made key departments appear tired. The store’s maintenance team was spending significant time replacing bulbs at height and addressing ongoing outages.
As a business owner with more than 40 years of experience, Tom Case wanted a lighting solution that delivered tangible business value. His priorities were: clear light output, reliability, strong financial returns, and a solution that improved his customers’ shopping experience. Any new system needed to reduce operational headaches while supporting a more modern, inviting store environment.
A complete LED retrofit for the warehouse, automotive department, and exterior fixtures. The upgrade delivered a 2.7-year payback and operated without major issues for nearly 10 years. This first phase proved the reliability of Think Green’s systems and set the foundation for future improvements.
A full retail-floor retrofit that replaced every fluorescent tube with high-efficiency LED lamps. The $80,000 investment paid back in only 2.2 years and provided consistent, bright illumination across the entire floor. The lamps operated for more than 9 years with almost no maintenance, validating the system's long-term value.
A complete store refresh using the newest generation of LED technology. Warehouse areas received new fixtures with lighting controls for additional savings. Despite industry-wide supply chain delays, Tom chose to wait for Think Green Solutions because of the proven reliability of earlier installations and his preference for consistent light quality across the store.
The lighting system ran for nearly a decade without replacements or repairs. Staff reported not changing a single bulb in more than ten years. Maintenance costs related to scissor lift rentals, aisle closures, and labour were effectively eliminated, freeing employees to focus on customer-facing tasks instead of routine lighting issues.
Across all three phases, the store achieved more than $670,000 in electricity savings, as verified by utility data. Tom described the savings as comparable to “operating the store for two full years without paying for lighting,” highlighting the financial impact of LED performance over the long term.
Shoppers frequently comment that Georgetown is one of the best-lit Canadian Tire locations in the region. The bright, even light improves product visibility and encourages customers to explore more of the store. Even lighting suppliers and industry professionals have noted the lighting's natural color quality and consistency throughout the aisles.
Employees experienced fewer headaches, less eye strain, and better focus during long shifts. Staff found it easier to read product labels, handle small parts, and complete inventory tasks thanks to clear and consistent illumination. Better lighting contributed directly to smoother daily operations.
Improved visibility strengthened loss-prevention efforts and helped staff monitor aisles more effectively. All retrofit phases were completed with minimal disruption to store operations, with most of the work performed overnight to avoid blocking customer access or slowing sales.
When supply delays occurred during the 2024 upgrade, Tom chose to wait for Think Green Solutions rather than settle for an alternative product. The decision reflected more than a decade of reliable performance, strong financial returns, and consistent support. In 2024, the store expanded by 22,000 square feet. Instead of using corporate standard lighting specifications, Tom requested Think Green Solutions again to maintain the same light quality his customers and staff had come to expect.
Over twelve years, Think Green Solutions helped Canadian Tire Georgetown achieve:
This long-term partnership demonstrates how reliable lighting and a committed provider can deliver measurable value, year after year, for both retail operations and the people who keep them running.
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