Retail Lighting

The lighting you have in your retail store is an important part of the success of that store, even though many people might not realize its full importance.  If your store is too dark, people won’t be able to see all the merchandise clearly, and they might pass over items they’d otherwise buy.  (You especially want high levels of lighting throughout your store for your older customers.)  On the other hand, if a store’s too bright, or if there’s a glare or the light is somehow harsh or unpleasant, then people are going to leave your store real soon after they enter it.

One way to set up good retail lighting is to mimic art galleries and museums.  Visit as many as you can to get ideas.  Galleries and museum have lights aimed directly at each of the works of art they have on display, and you might consider using a similar lighting technique for your merchandise.  This kind of lighting is called accent lighting, and it needs to be crisp and bright.  Sometimes you can have lower levels of ambient lighting—also known as general (and in most cases it’s overhead) lighting—if your accent lighting is really effective.  You can also call attention to certain items that you especially want to sell by highlighting them with light.  Maybe you aim a light at them that’s slightly different in color than the rest of the lights in the store, or maybe you make this light a little brighter.

You might also want to include some decorative lighting elements in your store.  For example, a string of small light bulbs framing a store window, or strewn tastefully around a store, can not only provide something visually attractive to look at, but can also help draw customers into the store who might otherwise just pass it by.  Colored spotlights moving around on the floor, or colorful beams of light aimed at walls, can also help to create a sense of fun and whimsy.  You might want to experiment with your decorative lights to find the best possible combinations.  Just make sure you don’t do anything that could irritate your customers’ eyes.

Clean your lighting fixtures often enough.  If you’re not doing that, they can get spots of dirt on them, and these spots of dirt will show up as shadows on the walls, which does not look appealing.

Now, you don’t have to break the bank when you’re buying the lighting fixtures for your store lighting.  At the same time, you don’t want to skimp in this area, either.  Consider your lighting fixtures a major investment.  If you spend enough to ensure you have high-quality lighting devices, they should last you a long time.  (You can also save money by using energy-efficient halogen or LED light bulbs.)  You might consider hiring a professional lighting designer as well, as he or she will be able to help you take maximum advantage of your floor space and really create an attractive lighting arrangement for your customers—not to mention your employees.

Retail Lighting