The results of a 2012 EHI Energy Management study indicate that retail companies in the German-speaking countries of Europe have recognized the importance of energy and are establishing energy departments to handle this issue. Many of the surveyed companies anticipate increases of 11.4 percent in their energy costs, according to the EHI Retail Institute report “Energy Management in Retail 2012 – Data, Facts, Background from Empirical Research.” The industry is increasingly focused on finding ways to reduce energy costs, find opportunities for savings, and support their sustainability efforts.