Short version
Good in-store lighting is all about making products look attractive and guiding the customer's attention. Spotlighting with flexible track systems, such as SG's ShopLine range and Aneto spotlights, provides precise and effective product highlighting. Different lighting is used depending on the store's concept: warm light for pastries and fruit and vegetables, cooler light for technical products, and high colour rendering (CRI above 90) for correct presentation of colours. Efficient use of light includes LED strips under shelves for added impact and decorative lighting such as pendants and neon signs. Good light in fitting rooms, with angled downlights, ensures that customers feel relaxed. Energy efficiency is achieved by switching from halogen to LED, which significantly reduces energy consumption. Stores can program brightness according to opening hours and use dynamic light (Tunable White) to create the desired mood throughout the day. Good store lighting is an important tool that both increases sales and gives customers a positive shopping experience.
Lighting that sells
For store and retail environments, lighting is all about presenting products in the best possible light - literally. The right store lighting should make products look attractive, highlight details and colors, and direct the customer's attention to where the store wants. At the same time, light creates the atmosphere in the store: Whether it's an exclusive clothing boutique with warm, subdued downlights for an intimate feel, or a fresh grocery store with cool white light that signals the purity and quality of the goods. Either way, the goal is to increase sales by making the products shine.
Studies show that good lighting can extend the time customers spend in the store and increase the likelihood of purchase. For store owners, it's all about finding the right balance between functional light (no dark corners on the shelves) and accent light (eye-catching accents). Fortunately, with SG's LED spotlights, track systems and controllable lights, there is a wealth of possibilities.
Focus on the goods
The clear main rule in shop lighting: The light should highlight the products, not the floor or ceiling. That's why spotlighting is widely used - directional spotlights that can be adjusted towards the displays. A flexible track system in the ceiling is almost a must in modern stores. It allows the store to move spotlights around as the display changes, without rewiring.
SG's ShopLine series is such a track system with a wide range of spotlights (Tube Pro, Aneto etc.), where you can choose different beam angles and lumens as needed. For example, you might want a narrower spot (20-30°) on a mannequin or podium in the middle of the room - this creates contrast and draws the eye there. On clothing racks or wall shelves, you can use a wider spread (60°) to cover more items evenly.
Our Aneto spotlights are popular in fashion stores - they have high color rendering (CRI 90+) so the colors of the clothes look right under the light. In addition, they have an elegant design that blends in with the ceiling.
Shop lighting is also often built in layers: Downlights in the ceiling provide basic lighting to avoid black areas without light (e.g. SG Rax series or Sense Round series), while spotlights on rails provide focus light on the goods. You can also add decorative pendants above counters or in showcases to add atmosphere.
Atmosphere and store concept
Every store has its own identity and the lighting should support the concept. A trendy clothing store for young people can experiment with colored lights or neon signs as part of the decoration. A delicatessen may want warm white, inviting light over the fresh produce to give a golden glow.
CRI is critical in retail - no customer wants to buy a green sweater that looked blue in the store! Light with a CRI above 90 ensures correct colors. For jewelers and high-end retail, CRI 95-97 can be relevant to really bring out the nuances of gemstones and luxury goods. In fitting rooms, you should also think about flattering light: Avoid shadows right under the eyes (so no one looks more tired than they are), preferably use a combination of soft top light and some light from the side.
SG has Junistar downlights, for example, which can be angled so that they shine down at a slight angle - perfect for fitting rooms to get a more even light on the person in front of the mirror. Nowadays, it's also popular to use LED strips in shop fittings - e.g. under shelf edges or along skirting boards - for a cool effect. For example, our StripLine can be integrated almost invisibly into furniture for a luxurious look.
Energy consumption and operation
Retailers are concerned with the bottom line, so energy efficiency cannot be overlooked. Many stores have had halogen-based lighting in the past, which provided good light but also very high power consumption and heat generation. Switching to LED lighting cuts energy consumption by up to 70-80%.
-
#1
Highlight products
Use 3-5 times brighter light on your hero products than the ambient light. Contrast catches the eye.
-
#2
Avoid flat shadows
Combine spotlights from different angles to bring out the shapes. One spotlight can create harsh shadows; two spotlights from different sides create a more "3D" effect on the item.
-
#3
Customize according to item
Textiles and clothing can benefit from warm white light (2700-3000K) to appear inviting, while technical products and white goods can tolerate cooler light (4000K) that signals modern and clean.
-
#4
Mirrors and fitting rooms
Provide enough light by mirrors. No one wants to try on clothes in a dark fitting room. Preferably 700-1000 lux vertically on the mirror. And feel free to use a slightly warmer tone to flatter skin tones.
-
#5
Entrance area
This is the store's stage facing the street. Light up the shop windows brightly (preferably with stage lighting levels) so that they stand out in the shopping center or shopping street.
-
#6
Be creative
Don't be afraid to use light as decoration in itself - neon art, LED strips, glowing logos. It creates instagram moments and free advertising when people take photos in your store!