Dive Brief:
- TJX Cos., which owns retailers T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra and HomeSense, plans to implement Kode Lab’s energy management information system to integrate all U.S. store building management systems into a single, centralized platform.
- The company expects the “advanced and innovative EMIS platform,” to streamline store systems, optimize energy use, manage the systems remotely and prioritize and automate maintenance tasks across TJX’s network of U.S. stores, according to a June 17 news release.
- The Detroit-based Kode Labs raised $30 million in Series B funding in April, an investment it says will help buildings worldwide reach net-zero emissions. "Users prioritize a seamless experience over managing multiple screens and platforms," co-founder Edi Demaj said at that time. “Our platform serves as the definitive operating system, offering complete command and orchestration capabilities.”
Dive Insight:
Kode Labs’ software-as-a-service model provides cloud-based building automation software for energy efficiency, data integration and sustainability, according to its website. Its enterprise platform integrates data from various building management systems, Internet of Things devices and operational systems, it says.
With this effort TJX aims to boost its operational efficiency and enhance shopping experience for its customers, it said in the release. The company plans to add 111 net new U.S. stores this year, it announced in May.
TJX’s move to put in place a unified store operations and energy management platform comes as it evaluates the potential to expand its global footprint by “at least another 1,300-plus stores,” TJX President and CEO Ernie Herrman said in May, during the company’s fiscal year 2025 first quarter earnings call. Those plans include 45 net new T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, 40 HomeGoods and 26 Sierra locations in the U.S. In its fiscal year 2025 first quarter earnings release, the off-price apparel and home fashions retailer reported that it posted sales gains across all its divisions in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia.
“We selected [Kode] Labs because of its commitment to innovation, reliability and scalability,” Adam Schleyer, who leads TJX’s energy supply and technology team, said in a statement.
Kode Labs says on its website that its platform reduces energy use and carbon emissions by up to 30% while streamlining costs associated with multiple tracking and reporting platforms, providing clients with up to 20% in annual energy savings and about 50% in annual savings on maintenance and operations.
Kode’s existing clients include Ford Motor Co., the University of Michigan and Empire State Realty Trust, it says.
