Are you a business owner? What type of products do you have? If you’re in the retail industry, you must know how crucial visual appeal is to increase sales! Just think about it, if you have a grocery store, but your customers are having a hard time looking through your products, do you think they will be encouraged to buy? There’s a high chance that they will leave instead of lining up to the cash register!
So, how do you make sure that your customers will not head out before buying anything? You need to have proper lighting! Many successful business owners know that the secret to the best-looking retail space is lighting. With the appropriate setup, you can improve your customer’s shopping experience and elevate the visuals of your products. If they see it better, the more they’re likely to buy!
Now, where do you start?
How to light a retail store?
Lighting a home is different from illuminating an office and most definitely not the same as brightening a retail shop. Don’t just dive right in without researching or consulting a professional. You may end up with the wrong lights that may result in wasting your money and harming your store! If you don’t know where to start, then follow these tips.
Tip #1: Layer different light sources
Don’t be fooled when someone says that you only need ceiling lights for your store! You need to have multiple light sources to ensure that your space is adequately lit and everything is pleasing to the eye. A single overhead light is outdated and can wash out your products’ beautiful colours. If you’re selling colourful candies or flowers, it would be a waste to not admire their beauty just because your lights make them look dull.
When layering lights, make sure you have various sources from different directions. Don’t just stick with one type of fitting and play around with wall lights, floor lamps, and ceiling spotlights. With a well-lit space, not only will it be easier for your customer’s eyes, but it will be more comfortable to appreciate the quality of your products!
Tip #2: Set up a consistent colour temperature
Among all the other rules, colour temperature takes priority over the others. It’s the key to designing the best lighting layout for your store. Colour temperature is how cool or warm light is perceived by the eye. So, how does it make the difference?
Colour temperature can set the mood of your shop. Warmer colour gives off a relaxed and cosy atmosphere, while the cooler colour sets an alert and focused environment. Aside from that, colour temperature can also set the tone on the willingness of someone to buy. If your store looks too warm, customers may be less likely to buy. Why? Because it’s harder to distinguish colours in that kind of setup.
So, when it comes to colour temperature, you need to find the perfect one for the nature of your shop. If you’re working with various shapes, sizes, and hues, it’s best to go for natural white light. However, if your shop calls for a warmer tone, go ahead with a warm white light! Just be consistent with the colour temperature of your lights. Don’t mix warm white light with cool white light in the same space since it can create an unpleasant contrast on the eye. As a shop owner, if you would find it a nuisance, what more with your customers who are examining the details of your products!
Tip #3: Use windows but don’t rely on them alone
Natural light is the most important in any lighting layout. Aside from that, you get it for free! So, if you have a lot of windows, utilise them as much as possible. Natural light is comfortable on the eye, so your customers will love it if there’s some sunshine visiting your store.
However, don’t just rely on natural light and disregard other light sources. Remember, the weather needs to be good for you to have sunlight. If you rely so much on natural light, what will you do when there’s a storm or when it’s winter and sunset is earlier? Ensure that your artificial lighting is still in place so you won’t be in the dark when the clouds suddenly block the sun!
Tip #4: Safety is a priority
If you’re thinking that your merchandise and registers are the only important places that need ample illumination, you’re wrong. If you don’t light your space evenly, there are chances that someone might trip in the dark areas. As a shop owner, your priority should be to ensure the safety of your customers and to do that, you need to light up your place correctly to avoid any hazards. That is why walkways, stairs, hallways, and entrances and exits should be visible to avoid any issues.
Tip #5: Select the correct CRI
You might think that colour temperature and CRI are the same; however, they’re not. Colour rendering index (CRI) is the ability of the fitting to differentiate between colour to the eye. A light with a higher CRI gives you a better view of the colour, allowing you to appreciate the product more. Opt for 80+ and higher to ensure that your shop will have better visuals for your customers!
There you have it! That is how you light a retail store. So, if you want to do it right with your shop’s lighting plan, get LEDs instead of other types of lighting. LED lights are far better when it comes to performance, durability, and lifespan! So, if you’re looking for a guaranteed high-quality LED light, check out our website, Simple Lighting. We have an extensive collection, including downlights, bulbs, wall lights, strip lights, and more!
