What Is the Best Lighting for a Retail Store? 2024 Guide

Having the right lighting is crucial to running a successful retail store. It makes your products look more appealing and creates a welcoming and inviting atmosphere for your customers.

Being in the retail store business requires attention to detail, and one of those details is creating the perfect ambiance.

You cannot just install any light in your store and expect it to work. You need to carefully consider the type of lighting that will bring out the best in your products and help you achieve maximum sales.

But what kind of lighting is used in retail, and what are the best options for retail lighting to take your store to the next level?  In this article, we will explore the different types of lighting used in retail stores and help you determine which is best for your shop. So, let's get started.

What Kind of Lighting Is Used In Retail Stores?

There are various types of lighting used in retail stores, but the most popular ones include track lighting, display LED lighting, and pop retail lighting. These lights are strategically placed to highlight specific areas of your store and draw attention to your products.

1. Ambient Lighting

As a retail business, you need to make your products pop and stand out from the competition. Ambient lighting, or the general lighting in your retail space, sets the stage for your customer's experience. It's like the canvas upon which all other lighting adds those pops of color and focus.

Ambient lighting ensures your store is inviting and easy to navigate, creating a comfortable environment where customers feel at ease browsing and exploring.

Think of it as the lighting that welcomes customers, gently guiding them through your store. It's not just visibility; it's about crafting a mood, an atmosphere, something tangible customers may not immediately see but will surely feel.

Getting your ambient lighting right strikes the perfect balance between function and aesthetics, providing a foundational glow that complements your products and your store's unique vibe. Below are the types of ambient lighting you can consider for your store:

• Track Lighting: Track lighting is popular in retail stores because of its versatility and customizable options. It consists of a track that holds multiple light fixtures, allowing you to easily adjust the direction and intensity of the lights to highlight specific areas or products.

• Display LED Lighting: Display LED lighting is a fantastic choice for ambient lighting in retail. These energy-efficient bulbs emit bright, natural light-enhancing product colors and details. Moreover, they are available in different color temperatures, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your store's interior design.

• Recessed Lighting: Recessed lighting is a popular choice for ambient lighting in retail stores as it creates a clean and streamlined look. These lights are installed into the ceiling, providing an even light distribution without any visible fixtures.

2. Accent Lighting

Accent lighting creates focal points by highlighting specific areas or products within your store. It's the artistic touch in your retail store, providing depth and dimension and enhancing the visual appeal of your products.

By strategically placing accent lights, you can illuminate specific areas, shelves, or items, making them stand out and capturing your customers' attention.

Accent lighting is far brighter than ambient lighting and is designed to spotlight featured products, new arrivals, or sale items, creating focal points that guide the customer's journey through your store.

Whether you're using track lights, directed to shine on a beautiful display, or LED spotlights to bring life to mannequins in window displays, accent lighting helps set the mood and highlights the textures and colors of your products, making them irresistible to shoppers. Here are the types of accent lighting you can install in your store:

• Spot Light: Spotlights are popular for highlighting specific products or areas within your store. They provide a focused beam of light that draws attention to the product or area you want to showcase.

• LED Tape Lighting: LED tape lighting is an excellent option for accent lighting as it can be easily installed in small spaces, creating a subtle glow around shelves, displays, or even window frames. It's also energy-efficient, making it a cost-effective choice for retail stores.

3. Decorative Lighting

Decorative lighting is all about adding that wow factor and creating a unique and memorable shopping experience for your customers. The extra touch sets your store apart and leaves a lasting impression on your customers. Decorative lighting is personal and creative and can truly elevate the look of your store.

It goes beyond just functionality; decorative lighting adds an element of design to your retail space, making it feel more luxurious, welcoming, or trendy.

It can come in various forms, from pendant lights and wall sconces to unique floor lamps and string lights. Here are some ideas for incorporating decorative lighting into your store:

• Statement Chandeliers: Large, eye-catching chandeliers can add drama and luxury to your store's interior design.

• Neon Lights: Neon lights are perfect for creating a trendy and modern vibe in your store. They can be customized to display any message or design, making them a unique and eye-catching addition.

• Pendant: Pendant lights can add a touch of sophistication and style to your store. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, making them a perfect fit for any retail space.

• Ceiling fans: For stores with high ceilings, ceiling fans can provide both functional and decorative lighting. They add a unique design element while also providing air circulation for customers.

Why Proper Lighting Is Important to Retail Stores?

Proper lighting in a retail store can make all the difference in attracting customers and making sales. It enhances the aesthetic appeal of your products and creates a positive shopping experience for your customers.

Studies have shown that good lighting can increase sales by up to 40% and improve customers' overall shopping experience. According to Energy Star, almost 20% of USA customers think LED lighting is the best solution for shopping. Also, LED lighting fixtures can increase sales by up to 19%. This shows that proper lighting can attract customers and increase sales.

What Is the Best Lighting for a Retail Store?

The best lighting for a store depends on your needs and aesthetics. The most common light types are incandescent, halogen bulbs, and LED lighting fixtures. Let's compare the different types of lights in detail:

Incandescent Lighting

While incandescent lights may evoke nostalgia, they are not the most practical choice for retail settings. They tend to use more energy and have a shorter lifespan than LEDs.

Moreover, they generate more heat, leading to potential discomfort for both patrons and employees, particularly in warmer seasons. Nevertheless, certain retailers favor incandescent lights' warm, inviting atmosphere, especially for antique items or vintage clothing.

Halogen Lights

Halogen lights strike a harmonious balance between incandescent and LED options. They provide a brilliant, white light similar to natural daylight, enhancing colors and accentuating details. Moreover, halogen bulbs boast an extended lifespan compared to incandescent bulbs and are more energy-efficient.

Although they produce a notable amount of heat, which could pose a challenge in smaller retail spaces or areas with limited ventilation, some retailers favor halogen lights for their sharp, pure light quality. While not as cost-effective or energy-efficient as LEDs, halogen lights have their appeal due to their brightness and clarity.

LED Lights

LED lights have swiftly risen to prominence in the lighting industry for their picture-perfect quality, energy efficiency, and versatility. Their remarkable energy efficiency, longevity, and cost-saving benefits outshine traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs.

LED lights are also available in various color temperatures, allowing retailers to choose the ideal tone for their store's ambiance. Warm light creates an inviting atmosphere, while cool light can make products appear more vibrant and appealing.

Also, LED lights generate minimal heat, making them an ideal choice for retail spaces with limited ventilation or air conditioning.

What is the Best Lighting for a Retail Store?

Enhance Retail Lighting with Brightness, Color Temperature, and High CRI

When selecting the best lighting for your store, different factors come into play. You must consider your light fixtures' brightness, color temperature, and CRI (Color Rendering Index).

Brightness

Opt for light fixtures with more lumens to brighten up the darkest corners of your retail store. The higher the lumens, the brighter your lighting will be. Depending on your retail environment, you need to assign a specific number of lumens for each square foot of your store.

For instance, you can use fixtures with 30-50 lumens per square foot for general lighting in a supermarket. For more focused lighting, such as highlighting a specific product or display, opt for light fixtures with higher lumens (around 250-500).

Color Temperature

Color temperature in lighting does more than illuminate; it sets the stage for the entire shopper experience, influencing mood, perception, and even the attractiveness of products. Think of it as the silent salesperson of your retail space.

For example, a jewelry store might use lighting with a cooler color temperature, around 5000K to 6500K, to make diamonds and precious stones sparkle with brilliance, enhancing their clarity and cut.

On the other hand, a cozy boutique could employ warmer tones, somewhere around 2700K to 3000K, to create an inviting atmosphere that highlights the rich textures and colors of fabrics, making everything feel more luxurious and desirable.

High CRI

CRI, or Color Rendering Index, measures how well a light source renders colors accurately compared to natural daylight. A high CRI is essential in retail settings since it ensures that your products appear as they would under natural sunlight, allowing customers to see the true colors and details of items.

For example, if you sell clothing and apparel, a high CRI light fixture is crucial in accurately representing the colors and textures of your garments, making them more appealing to potential customers.

How Do You Light Up a Retail Store?

You must carefully consider the type of lighting you want to use, the placement and direction of lights, and the color temperature and CRI (Color Rendering Index) of your light bulbs. Follow the tips below to light up your store effectively:

1. Know about Requirement

Ensuring your retail store's lighting complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is crucial for inclusivity and energy efficiency. ADA guidelines dictate lighting levels that accommodate everyone, including those with disabilities, while IECC standards focus on conserving energy.

Adhering to these requirements not only ensures legal compliance but also promotes a shopping environment that is safe, welcoming, and accessible to all, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

2. Create Your Retail Store Lighting Plan

Crafting an effective store lighting plan requires a strategic approach that highlights your store's best features and creates an inviting atmosphere for your customers. Start by assessing your store layout to pinpoint areas that would benefit from better lighting, such as product displays, fitting rooms, checkout counters, and more.

• For product displays, consider using a combination of ambient, accent, and task lighting to draw attention to your merchandise and make it more appealing.

• In fitting rooms, opt for softer, flattering lighting that provides a comfortable environment for customers to try on apparel. Avoid overhead or fluorescent bulbs in dressing rooms.

• At checkout counters, ensure ample task lighting facilitates a smooth transaction process.

• Opt for display LED lighting for window displays to attract potential customers passing by your store.

3. Avoid Unnecessary Lighting Chaos

While it may be tempting to incorporate as much lighting as possible in your store, it's important to avoid unnecessary lighting chaos that can be overwhelming and distracting for customers. Stick to a cohesive design plan with a consistent lighting style, color temperature, and CRI throughout the store.

Avoid using too many different bulbs or fixtures, as this can create an inconsistent and uncoordinated look. Think about your store's size and style. Also, consider the type of products you sell at your store and how the lighting can enhance their appeal.

To avoid chaotic lighting, you can:

• Position lights strategically to highlight specific areas or products.

• Use dimmers and lighting controls to adjust the brightness as needed.

• Install volumetric lighting for a more uniform and even distribution of light.

• Use adjustable track lighting that can be directed to specific areas.

4. Incorporate Accent and Decorative Lighting

Accent and decorative lighting are crucial for creating a visually appealing store layout. They add character, depth, and ambiance to your retail space. Consider incorporating these types of lighting:

• Wall sconces: These fixtures provide soft, diffused light that adds warmth and intimacy to your store.

• Chandeliers: These statement pieces add a touch of luxury and elegance to your space, making it stand out from other stores.

• Pendant lights: Providing functionality and style, pendant lights can be used in areas like checkout counters or over tables for displaying merchandise.

• Neon lights:  A popular trend in retail design, neon lights add a modern and edgy touch to your store.

FAQs

Should a Retailer Use Dim or Bright Lighting In Their Store?

It depends on the store's layout and products. Generally, dim and bright lighting is recommended to create contrast and highlight specific areas or products. However, it is essential to ensure that the lighting isn't too harsh or overwhelming for customers. It should also comply with ADA guidelines for inclusivity.

How Many Lumens Per Square Foot Retail Store?

The recommended lumens per square foot for retail stores vary based on the type of products being sold and the ambiance you want to create. However, 50 to 70 lumens per square foot is generally recommended for general ambient lighting.

What Is the Best Lighting For a Small Business?

LED lighting is the best choice for a small business due to its energy efficiency, long lifespan, and versatility. It can also enhance the appearance of products and attract customers with its bright and well-distributed light. In the long run, LED lighting can save on electricity costs, making it an ideal option for small businesses.

What Is the Best Color Temperature For a Retail Store?

The best color temperature for a store depends on the type of products being sold and the atmosphere you want to create. The warmer color temperatures (around 2700K-3000K) are recommended for creating a cozy and inviting ambiance. In comparison, cooler color temperatures (around 4000K-5000K) are better for highlighting merchandise and creating an energetic atmosphere.

Conclusion

Creating an effective retail store lighting plan is about aesthetics and creating a safe and inclusive space for all customers. With the right lighting solutions, retailers can enhance the appearance of their products, create an inviting atmosphere, and reduce energy consumption.

By following ADA guidelines and incorporating smart LED lighting options, retailers can ensure legal compliance while promoting sustainability and social responsibility in their business practices. They can also avoid unnecessary chaos and incorporate accent and decorative lighting to create a visually appealing retail space.

Transform Your Retail Store with the Perfect Lighting with Risun

Now that you better understand how lighting can enhance your retail store, it's time to implement this knowledge. Consider assessing your store layout and inventory to determine where to improve or add lighting.

With the right approach, your retail space will attract more customers and create a positive shopping experience. Consider LED retail lighting as an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly option for a sustainable and cost-effective solution.

At Risun, we offer a wide range of high-quality LED lighting solutions for retail spaces. Our team of experts can help you design and implement the perfect lighting plan for your store. Contact us today to transform your retail space with the power of lighting.