With customers getting more savvy and image-conscious, first impressions definitely count. From signage to window displays, to fragrance of the store, cleanliness to proper ventilation & illumination; shoppers make up their mind and frame opinions about the shop in a few seconds. With the ever flourishing Retail sectors, where shopping is not merely buying products rather a service experience, it is clear that lighting is a tool to enhance shoppers perception about the store as well as help draw attention to merchandise displayed, as definitely righteous retail lighting has always done. 

Dynamic, engaging and well-planned lighting environments also help to reduce cost and enhance revenue. Refurbishing your store with LEDs, though would demand a little more spend upfront, will defintelly help you save money down the line by reducing costs and providing durable light outputs for up to 50000 hours, about 10 times longer than traditional sources. I do not spread the notion that great retail lighting will boost sales or increase store walk-ins, however I cannot understate the fact that ample lighting plays a vital role in generating a pleasant ambience, enhancing visibility of your store and product shelf- displays, thus helping customers find easily their products at point of sale. An eye-catching, quirky lighting design is the perfect way to attract attention and encourage customers to shop more frequently.

From general lighting, to task lighting, accent and decorative lighting all play their unique role in contributing to store beauty. Spotlights and down lights are common tools for general lighting. Pendant lights could provide ample illumination near tasks areas such as customer service desks, payment counters etc. Track lights are best for accent lighting and for highlighting product shelf-displays and on mannequins.

Stem lights are apt for closed shelf-displays. Bold is beautiful as the adage goes, decorative light fixtures like pendant lights & chandeliers though a bit more expensive conjure big charm and vibrancy to the look and feel of the retail space. Too much decorative lighting would be plainly showy and gaudy, nevertheless one lavish chandelier or 3-4 decorative pendant lights would add that dash of sophistication to your store. These factors also depends also on the size and layout of the store. 

A lighting designer would provide you the best urban trendy store looks that befits your products display. What’s the theme or finish of your store? Is it Comfortable and rustic? Lighting color can make or break that feel. A jewelry store or a boutique store would require more planned and sophisticated lighting where products require a sparkling display to harness customer attention and desire. Food display and apparel require bright lighting to make food appear more fresh and clothing as their natural color. Under dull lights a shining skirt may lose luster or a fruit may appear stale. Furthermore, altered displays within the same store may require diverse lighting color to best jive with the designer’s intent.

An essential feature in retail lighting is the choice of light sources that offer brilliant color quality and non-glare. Retail lighting should be high contrast, fostering customer perceptions & amplifying levels of attention. Perpendicular lighting makes positioning easier for customers to pinpoint their product of choice or differentiate between brands. Cool color temperatures offer a fresh appeal making spaces appear wider while warmer tones create an impression of smallness and familiarity. The color temperature you choose will be contingent on the mood and shopping experience that customers need to be given. For a relaxed atmosphere, warm white lights are apt with cozy furniture and soft music, it’s evident that the objective is to get customers to hang out, relax, and spend more time in their store where as for fast-moving goods such as FMCG, more natural white tones are appreciated to keep customers active and staff on the move. Simple logic is that the more time a customers expends in a store, the greater chance that he/she would ultimately make a purchase decision.

With the proliferation of eco-friendly LEDs, it is essential that we integrate lighting into overall store design. Lighting crafts an appropriate atmosphere just like ventilation around a store. A dearth of proper illumination will make the customer uncomfortable and he/she would choose to walk off much quicker than expected.

We cannot fail to appreciate that there occurs a synergetic relationship between lighting and retail design. Lighting complements interior design, makes products more discernibly fresh and attractive, supports customers in moving around and observing various displays.