Lighting is one of the most important aspects of a retail space, as any business owner knows. Retail lighting should achieve certain goals while providing a pleasant experience for the customer. Here are the top 5 lighting rules of retail to help your business succeed.
1. Maintain a consistent color temperature
Color temperature is one of the top 5 lighting rules of retail. Color temperature refers to how warm (yellow) or cool (white to blue-white) a light is to the eye. What is the significance of color temperature in retail spaces? Color temperature plays a role in customers' perception of space, with warmer colors creating a cozy vibe and cooler temperatures inspiring an alert one. The color temperature also influences the willingness to buy. Customers will be less likely to buy from your location if it is perceived as too warm. A retail space's color temperature will obviously be determined by its type. Consistency in color temperature is key. It is not a good idea to have warm and cool lights in the same space since it creates a startling and unpleasant contrast for the eyes.
2. Sources of light layered
Space should be illuminated from several different sources in order to be effective and pleasing to the eye. By using overhead troffer fixtures alone, you will not be able to produce all the lumens needed for the space. That's not only outdated for the retail industry, but it also looks a bit washed out. By layering fixtures with multiple light spread directions, you can create a more attractive effect and make it easier on the eyes.
3. Don't rely solely on windows
A retail space's windows can contribute to the creation of natural light, which reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day. Although you should make the most of this natural light source because it is the most attractive to the consumer's eyes, you shouldn't rely on it excessively. That light source won't be sufficient if the location is open at night or if it's a stormy day without additional artificial lighting. When arranging your lighting, make sure to take advantage of the windows but avoid relying on them excessively.
4. Pick the Proper CRI
The capacity of the lighting source to distinguish colors to the unaided eye is known as the color rendering index, not to be confused with color temperature. In most places, but particularly in a retail setting where there are probably several colors for a customer to pick, the CRI is significant. For the majority of retail environments, look for a CRI of at least 80 + or higher. A higher CRI rating enables better color differentiation.
5. Safety first
Many retail establishments may illuminate important areas, including those with merchandise or cash registers, but keep other areas startlingly dark. Making safety a top concern and considering this when deciding where to position lights is one of the most crucial rules for shop lighting. To prevent any safety issues, you should always ensure that areas where visibility is a problem, such as walkways, stairs, or entrances, are well-lit.
Don't Stop There
Just as important as the light inside your establishment is, even more so is the outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting helps customers step over the threshold into the store. Great outdoor lighting can keep a steady stream of customers coming to your store more hours of the day and night. It would be unwise to spend a great deal of time perfecting your indoor lighting and not address the outdoor space.
Give us a call or send us an email at contact@lightsoveratlanta.com for a free consultation to see what would be best for your establishment.