11 lighting tips every retailer should
know

-Source:luxreview.com

1. Layer the light

A basic retail lighting design comprises
two elements, ambient lighting and accent lighting. How you mix them is key to
your store’s individual look, but always make sure the ambient is low enough to
allow the accent to punch through to the merchandise.

2. Make the lighting match the brand

The lighting design – and the fixtures –
should match the brand’s values. As a general rule, customers associate ambient
with low cost and accent with upmarket. Some stores – TKMaxx, Boots, Lidl – are
ambient only, while some – Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, SuperDry – are
accent only, to great effect.

3. Nail your colour temperature

The colour temperature is key to a store’s
look and feel. A cool colour temperature (4000K to 6000K) conveys spaciousness
and appeals to a young demographic while warm colour temperatures (2700K to
3000K) convey familiarity and appeal to older, upmarket customers.

4. Light what you want customers to see

Sounds obvious, but rarely applied in
practice. Theatre lighting designers put the brightest light wherever they want
the audience’s attention.

This ‘hot spot’ trick works in retail, too.
So highlight hero items, new merchandise and special offers. Lighting designers
call this ‘the lighting hierarchy’.

5. Don’t take colour rendering at face
value

Don’t assume a high CRI number will ensure
good colour rendering – it may not include strong reds, for instance. For good
reds (bread, foodstuffs, fashion) find out the light’s R9 value, and make sure
it’s over 80. Ninety is best. For good blues (suits, jeans, fish), check the
R12.

6. Work your window

A great window display will turn passersby
into shoppers, so this is no place for caution and restraint. Bright, bold,
high contrast lighting can make a hero of the merchandise. Better still,
consider dynamic light that introduces movement and variations in light levels
and colour.

7. Change your changing rooms

The changing room is most important space
in fashion as it’s where the buying decision is made.

So why are yours lit with £5 downlights
that makes people look awful? Instead, mount warm vertical linear lights with
good colour rendering on either side of the mirror.

8. Integrate the lighting

Research has shown that customers pick up
twice as many items from shelving with integrated lighting, than those with
none. These days, with LED tape, integrating is a cinch.

Do use a good brand though – Osram’s came
out best in our recent tests.

9. Read the warranty

Manufacturers’ warranties are usually
written to protect them just as much as you. Watch especially for restrictions
on burning hours buried in the small print – 
most retail lighting will comfortably exceed 5,000 hours annually so a
warranty with a 4,000-hour restriction is worthless.

10. Get a professional in

If the budget permits, hire a professional
lighting consultant, even it’s only for a basic lighting strategy. They’re
worth the investment, as with LEDs, lighting has become more of a minefield
than ever and a good designer will bring lots of ideas to the table. There are many Bespoke LED Lighting solutions can be find at tecknozgear.com.

11. Use two colour temperatures for
jewellery

In theory, all jewellery should look great
under a high CRI source, no matter what the colour temperature. In practice,
stunning results come from a mix. Try using both 3000K and 4000K. The former is
great for gold, the latter for silver and diamonds.