Key Takeaways
- £1,307 annual saving realised by switching from EDF deemed rates to Scottish Power (46% reduction)
- This was an actual switch completed via Meet George - not a projection
- Deemed rates were the problem - Dream Looks had been paying 38.6p/kWh for 2 years when the market rate was around 22p/kWh
- 3-year fixed contract now protects against future price rises with transparent 1p/kWh Meet George fee
Who this is for: Small business owners, independent retailers, boutique shop owners, and anyone whose business energy contract has expired without renewal.
About Dream Looks
Dream Looks is a boutique fashion store located in Marylebone, one of London's most desirable shopping destinations. Specialising in curated collections and personalised styling, Dream Looks has built a loyal customer base who appreciate their eye for unique pieces and exceptional service. Follow them on Instagram. Learn more about Meet George and how we help UK businesses like Dream Looks save on energy costs.
The Challenge
Stuck on Expensive Deemed Rates for 2 Years
Dream Looks is a boutique fashion store in the heart of Marylebone, London. Like many small retailers, the owner was focused on what matters most - curating collections, serving customers, and running the day-to-day business. Energy contracts simply weren't on the radar.
When their original energy contract expired, they were automatically moved onto deemed rates - the expensive default tariff suppliers charge when you're out of contract. For two full years, Dream Looks was paying 38.6p per kWh - nearly double the market rate.
The standing charge was equally inflated at 139.5p per day - money being wasted every single day, whether the shop was open or closed.
In short: Dream Looks had been unknowingly overpaying by nearly 50% for two full years simply because their contract expired and they were moved to deemed rates.
Deemed rates can be 40-80% more expensive than contracted rates. If your contract has expired and you haven't actively renewed, you're likely overpaying right now. Learn more about deemed rates.
The Approach
From Deemed to Fixed in Days
Meet George identified the problem immediately and moved quickly to secure a better deal:
- Deemed Rate Detection: We identified that Dream Looks had been on expensive deemed rates for 2 years - paying 38.6p/kWh when the market rate was significantly lower.
- Market Comparison: Using live API data from 20+ UK business energy suppliers, we compared their deemed rates against current market pricing for London retail premises.
- Contract Negotiation: We secured a competitive 3-year fixed contract at 22.31p/kWh (including our transparent 1p/kWh fee) - locking in protection against future price rises.
- Seamless Switch: We handled the entire switching process. Dream Looks continued trading without interruption while we managed the transfer behind the scenes.
The Results: 46% Annual Saving
£1,307 Saved, Locked in for 3 Years
By switching from EDF deemed rates to a Scottish Power fixed contract, Dream Looks now saves £1,307 every year - and that rate is locked in for 3 years, protecting against future price rises.
Full Cost Comparison
Completed Switch EDF Energy (Deemed) → Scottish Power (3-Year Fixed)
| Metric | Previous | New | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Energy Spend | £2,800 | £1,493 | -£1,307 |
| Unit Rate | 38.60p/kWh | 22.31p/kWh | -42% |
| Standing Charge | 139.50p/day | 49.54p/day | -64% |
| Contract Type | Deemed (out of contract) | 3-Year Fixed | Price protected |
| Total Annual Saving | £1,307 (46%) |
All prices exclude VAT and Climate Change Levy (CCL). New rate includes Meet George's transparent 1p/kWh fee.
Industry Insight
Why Small Retailers Overpay
Independent retailers are experts at what they do - sourcing products, merchandising, and customer service. Energy procurement falls to the bottom of the priority list, and when contracts expire, businesses silently slip onto deemed rates without realising.
Common Issues We See
- Left on deemed rates after contract expiry
- No awareness of market rate comparisons
- Busy running the business - energy not a priority
- Assumed switching would be complicated or disruptive
If you're on deemed rates, you can switch immediately with no exit fees. There's no contract to break - you're already out of contract. Learn how our transparent 1p/kWh fee works, or join the waitlist to get early access when we launch.
Transparency
What This Does NOT Mean
This was an actual switch completed via Meet George. Unlike some case studies that show projected savings, Dream Looks Boutique actually completed their switch through our platform. The savings shown are based on their new contract rates.
Your savings will depend on your starting point. Dream Looks was on extremely expensive deemed rates (38.6p/kWh) for 2 years. If you're already on a competitive fixed contract, your savings percentage will be lower.
Market rates change constantly. The Scottish Power rates Dream Looks secured were valid at the time of switching (Q4 2025). Energy prices fluctuate daily - your quote may differ.
Small retailers have different usage patterns. Dream Looks is a boutique fashion retailer with relatively low energy consumption. Businesses with higher usage or different operating hours may see different results.
Assumptions & Methodology
Data Sources: Actual EDF bills provided by Dream Looks. Previous annual spend: £2,800 (verified). Confirmed switch to Scottish Power completed.
Calculation Method: Annual saving = old rates x consumption - new rates x consumption. New rate includes our transparent 1p/kWh fee. 3-year fixed term provides price certainty.
Switch date: Q4 2025 | Contract term: 3 years fixed | Meet George fee: 1p/kWh (included in quoted rates)
Check if your energy contract has expired. If it has, you're almost certainly on deemed rates - and overpaying by 40% or more. The good news? You can switch immediately with no exit fees, because there's no contract to exit.
Check If You're On Deemed RatesFAQs
Common questions
Straight answers about this case study.
Deemed rates are expensive default tariffs that suppliers charge when your contract expires and you haven't actively renewed. They can be 40-80% more expensive than contracted rates. Dream Looks was paying 38.6p/kWh on deemed rates versus 22.31p/kWh on their new fixed contract. Learn more about what deemed rates are and how to escape them.
Yes, you can switch immediately with no exit fees. Deemed rates mean you're already out of contract, so there's no contract to break. This is actually the best time to switch as you'll see immediate savings. Ofgem advises businesses to regularly review their contracts.
Savings vary based on your usage, but Dream Looks Boutique saved 46% (£1,307 per year) by switching from deemed rates to a competitive fixed contract. Retailers on deemed rates typically overpay by 40-80%. Read our guide on how to switch business energy.
The switch itself typically takes 2-3 weeks to complete, but you can start the process in under 10 minutes with Meet George. There's no disruption to your energy supply during the switch. See our step-by-step guide on switching business energy supplier.
Joshua is the CEO and Co-Founder of Meet George. With experience in tech, AI, and energy markets, he's building tools to make business energy switching transparent and effortless. Previously, he's worked in startups and commercial strategy roles.
