How to Select and Design Retail Lighting in 5 Steps

Retail lighting can be a major expense for retailers, but it also has an extremely high return on investment. Some aspects of retail lighting are easy to manage and relatively inexpensive so that investing in the right lights is worth your time and money.

Retail lighting is a technique that can be used to make the store seem more inviting and appealing. Retail lighting is not just about making the store look good, but also about providing information on products.

All light sources used to make your space visible and showcase items or regions of your shop are included in retail lighting. Layering four various lighting kinds, combining numerous different fixtures, and selecting light bulbs with Brightness and tone in mind will help you design a retail lighting strategy.

We’ll look at various kinds of lighting, bulbs, and fixtures, as well as recommended practices for lighting your shop and how much you should anticipate spending on your lighting plan, in this post.

What Is the Importance of Store Lighting?

When it comes to starting a retail shop, the lighting you pick is an important aspect of your merchandising strategy. Effective retail lighting will make your business well-lit and simple to navigate, while also emphasizing items on your displays. It may have an influence on anything from how consumers purchase to how customers perceive your company.

Here are a few reasons why lighting is crucial for your business:

• Customers are directed to essential parts of your store: Customers will be drawn in by illuminated displays and product areas, and they will want to interact with your stuff.
• Sets a mood: The lighting you pick will have an impact on the environment your shop creates, as well as consumer emotion.
• Sets the tone for every shopping excursion: Your store’s foundation is constructed on the foundation of good lighting. Nothing in your business will be seen without excellent lighting, and all other merchandising efforts will be futile.
• Attracts customers: A well-lit environment generates a welcoming ambiance that encourages people to come in and look around.
• The length of time individuals wish to shop is determined by the following factors: Customers’ ability to see and if your lighting system encourages investigation are both important aspects in keeping them interested.

A bright and cool-toned lighting arrangement complements the contemporary retail design. (Photo courtesy of Relumination)

Let’s go through five stages for choosing and creating the right lighting for your shop area.

1. Understand the Different Types of Store Lighting

Accent, task, ambient, and decorative lighting are the four categories of lighting that you will layer together to produce a coherent lighting plan while illuminating your room.

In this stylish salon, a back-lit open cabinet makes a gorgeous background for hair products. (Image courtesy of TheSalonBusiness.com)

This gallery’s latest artwork is highlighted by spotlight wall sconces. (Image courtesy of Louie Lighting Blog)

Accent lighting is used to bring attention to certain items or critical regions by emphasizing their relevance. Accent lighting aids in directing shoppers to significant items or regions by enhancing their visibility or emphasizing their importance.

Identifying your primary goods will be the first step in deciding how you want to employ accent lighting. This might be your newest goods for shops with a higher turnover rate, or it could be your best-selling items each year. Giving your essential items a visual boost with accent lighting can assist to advertise them to shoppers in either case.

When you’ve decided what objects you want to emphasize with accent lighting, you’ll need to figure out what kind of lighting would work best in your room. Wall sconces or Lighting on a Track may be the best solution for establishments with limited floor space. You may design an illuminated bookshelves wall to pack a punch in locations with a greater room. Can lights, picture lights, track or recessed lights, and inner-cabinet lighting are all examples of accent lighting.

The chic lighting above the register offers a bright environment in which to do business. (Photo courtesy of WeekendsinRotterdam)

Fitting rooms with additional task lighting are ideal for trying on items.

The term “task lighting” refers to lighting that is utilized to illuminate a particular work or purpose. This includes turning on the lights in the register, where transactions will take place; the fitting rooms, where customers will try on and evaluate items; and your office, where you will fill out paperwork and work each day. Wherever activities are being completed, task lighting is employed as an additional light source.

When deciding where task light sources should be installed, consider what duties or activities will occur on a regular basis in your shop. The register will be the first thing that comes to mind for most retail shops, but you need also consider other duties that are done in your store.

For example, we have task lighting throughout our backstock sections, fitting rooms, and back-office at my clothes business. A butcher, on the other hand, would almost certainly demand task lighting in the meat processing area, the refrigerated rooms, and the office space. Consider the jobs that are critical to your company’s success, and put task lighting where it is appropriate.

To create a peaceful, well-lit atmosphere, this business used a mix of pot lights and a statement light fixture to produce ambient lighting. (Image courtesy of Zen Merchandiser)

Ambient lighting is the primary source of light in your shop. It serves as a background against which other types of lighting will be layered, and it provides a welcoming setting for consumers to explore your property. Ambient lighting should be present in all areas of your shop.

While ambient lighting serves as a background, it does not have to be dull, and you may pick fixtures that stand out. To light up your business, anything from chandeliers to basic pot lights would suffice. The major goal is to ensure that light disperses evenly across your room, ensuring that visibility is not impaired at any time.

The ambient lighting you choose will also serve as the primary source of light for creating the ambiance you wish in your business. You’ll want to make sure you’re thinking about how your ambient lighting selections affect the ambiance your shop creates. For example, in my store, we chose chandeliers with bright, warm lights to compensate for the absence of natural light and to create a warm, welcoming ambiance.

A magnificent window display is created by a clever lighting setup, luring people inside. (Image courtesy of Inspired Magz)

Lighting components that serve an aesthetic rather than a functional purpose are referred to as decorative lighting. Decorative lighting may be utilized to enhance the ambiance of your storefront or to add adornment to your area.

A decorative lamp, a string of Christmas lights, or an illuminated window display are all examples of decorative lighting. It’s not just about keeping things lighted when it comes to lighting—it can also be used to add décor and display components.

2. Select the Appropriate Brightness and Tone

There are two methods to evaluate light bulbs: Brightness and tone. As you may think, Brightness relates to how brilliant the light is. The hue of the light, which is also related to its warmth, is referred to as tone.

Brightness

Lumens will be used to indicate brightness while looking for bulbs. The link between brightness and lumens is straightforward: the more lumens, the brighter it is.

Lumens are a measurement of a source’s total quantity of visible light emitted per unit of time.

This graph may help you understand the link between Lumens and Watts, as well as assist you to figure out what lumen level to search for.

The brightness of your lights will have a significant impact on the ambiance of your area. You should consider if a bright or dark environment is best for your company. A massage parlor, for example, would desire soft lighting to create a peaceful environment, whilst a hardware shop might want bright lighting to increase visibility.

Watts is no longer a good measure of bulb brightness; it relates to the light bulb’s efficiency, but modern bulbs, such as LEDs and Halogen lamps, are both extremely efficient (low watts) and bright (high lumens).

We’ll go through how to figure out whether you have enough bulbs to illuminate your full room later. Don’t worry, the math is simple. However, the number of lumens you have throughout your shop may readily answer this issue, so keep note of that figure while you design your retail lighting strategy.

Tone

You’ll want to search for the number of kelvins linked with the bulb when it comes to tone or the color temperature of the bulb. The colder the tone of your light becomes as the number of kelvins grows; the warmer the tone becomes as the number of kelvins lowers.

Kelvin is the International System of Units’ temperature base unit.

Cooler tones are produced by higher kelvin, whereas warmer tones are produced by lower kelvin.

The tone you pick for your lighting, like the brightness, will have a big impact on the mood of your room. As a result, you’ll want to think about whether warmer or cooler tones are preferable for your company. Using the same example as before, the massage parlor will most likely use warmer tones to create an inviting atmosphere, whilst the hardware shop would most likely use cooler tones to maximize visibility and convey cleanliness.

Different color tones may be blended throughout your business, however, smaller establishments prefer to keep to one tone. Consider natural light, wall color, and ceiling height when picking the appropriate one for your shop. Before you decide on a bulb to purchase in quantity, it’s wise to experiment with several lighting alternatives in your room.

Save money by ordering bulbs in quantity. Bulk orders lower the cost per bulb, saving you money in the long term.

3. Decide on the kind of bulb you want to use.

It’s time to think about various bulb kinds after you’ve decided what kind of light you want your lights to generate. In general, no one kind of bulb is better for dim or bright purposes, or for warm or cold tones when picking a bulb. Nowadays, any bulb type may be used to create most lighting schemes.

Average cost, operational life, energy efficiency, color range, and the sort of shop lighting the bulb is best suited for are all aspects to consider when deciding which type of bulb to employ.

To learn more about the various kinds of bulbs, click on the tabs below:

CFL bulbs are a low-energy lighting solution that may be used to replace or replicate incandescent bulbs, and some can even be used in incandescent lighting fixtures.

• The average price is in the mid-range. Prices range from $2 to $6 per bulb.
• 7–9 years of operation
• 50–70 lumens per watt energy efficiency
• Color temperature range: From warm to cold, the whole gamut of color temperatures is available.
• General/ambient lighting and task illumination are the best uses for this lamp.

Halogen bulbs, often known as halogen lamps, are incandescent light bulbs that utilize halogen gas to boost light output and operational life.

• The average cost is in the low to mid-range. Prices range from $2 to $8 per bulb.
• 1–2 years of operation
• 12–15 lumens per watt energy efficiency
• Color temperature range: From warm to cold, the whole gamut of color temperatures is available.
• Accent lights, task lighting, and ornamental fixtures are all good choices.

LED bulbs are electric light sources that use light-emitting diodes to create light (LEDs).

• Cost: $5–$20 on average
• 1.5-6 years of operation
• 60 lumens per watt energy efficiency
• Color temperature range: From warm to cold, the whole gamut of color temperatures is available.
• Suitable for: Any form of shop lighting.

4. Select your lighting fixtures

The three kinds of bulbs indicated above may be utilized in a broad range of light fixtures, regardless of lumen output or color temperature. To provide the proper quantity of light across the room, most retail shop lighting includes many distinct kinds of fixtures with varied bulbs.

Install dimmer switches in your business to adapt your lighting to natural light levels or alter the atmosphere with the flick of a switch.

Recessed Flush

• Features include being flush with the ceiling, having customizable trim finishes, and having a homogeneous light distribution.
• Low ceiling heights; ambient and accent lighting are ideal.
• Fixture prices range from $10 to $50.

Exposed Canister

• Features: Canister that has been exposed; customizable trim finishes; uniform light distribution
• Best for Ambient and accent lighting in industrial or open ceiling designs.
• Fixture prices range from $5 to $30.

Eyeball Down Spot

• Tiny size; small Coverage that is not too heavy area; strong, accurate light source pointing downward
• Accent and task lighting are the best uses for this lamp.
• Fixture prices range from $10 to $50.

Adjustable

• Adjustable to focus light in any direction; powerful, accurate light source; tiny Coverage that is not too heavy area
• Accent and task lighting are the best uses for this lamp.
• Fixture prices range from $20 to $50.

Pendant

• Many types to select from; requires fewer brilliant lights since it is hanging closer to the ground; even light dispersion
• Decorative, accent and task lighting are ideal for small areas.
• Fixture prices range from $100 to $1,000.

A reasonable rule of thumb for hanging lights like pendant lights is to allow 7 feet of clearance from the bottom of the fixture to the floor, and 30 to 36 inches of space from the bottom of the fixture to the table when installing over a table.

Reel

• Minimalist design; evenly diffuses light; recessed bulb; size choices
• Ambient illumination is the best use for this lamp.
• Fixture prices range from $50 to $150.

Light Panel with a Flush Mount

• No visible bulbs; flush with the ceiling; a variety of designs to pick from; a huge size
• Ambient and decorative lighting; modest ceiling heights are ideal.
• Fixture prices range from $40 to $250.

Suspended Luminary

• Many design possibilities; evenly diffused light; exposed fixture; lights huge surface areas
• Ideal for: High-ceilinged rooms with ambient lighting
• Fixture prices range from $100 to $1,000.

Full Room Luminous Ceiling

• Features: Consistent illumination throughout the room; entirely hidden light source; makes space look larger; several styling possibilities; time-consuming installation
• Large areas; ambient lighting are ideal.
• Fixture prices range from $10 to $50.0

Luminary Suspended from the Ceiling

• Features: Directly attached to the ceiling; uniformly distributes light across big spaces; numerous distinct design possibilities
• Ambient illumination is the best use for this lamp.
• Fixture prices range from $50 to $500.

Lighting on a Track

• Features: Highly customizable; multi-directional light dispersion; changeable settings; light may be used to cover vast or small regions.
• Ambient, job or accent illumination are the best uses for this lamp.
• Fixture prices range from $20 to $200.

Fixture with a Surface Mount

• Low profile; several various design varieties; evenly distribute light across medium-sized surfaces; simple to install
• Ideal for: Low ceilings; ambient and task lighting
• Fixture prices range from $15 to $150.

Light Recess with Coffered Ceiling

• Features: Sunken ceiling feature hides the light source; gentle, widely spread light source; makes your area seem taller and more open; unique installation required.
• Best for: Sunken or coffered ceilings with ambient lighting
• Fixture prices range from $70 to $700.

Suspended Hanging

• Many design variations; evenly distribute light across medium-sized surfaces; commonly used in pairs
• Ideal for: High-ceilinged areas; both ambient and task lighting
• Fixture prices range from $100 to $1,000.

5. Configure and Price Your Retail Lighting

Now that you know the fundamentals, you’re ready to overlay the four kinds of lighting with varied fixtures and a consistent tone to create your retail store lighting design. The simplest technique is to draw your lighting ideas on the floor plan of your retail business. You may use tracing paper over your business’s blueprint or an online store layout and design tool like SmartDraw to achieve this.

Whatever method you choose, the five-step, bottom-up lighting design technique shown below is a simple way to get the desired outcomes and guarantee that light is evenly distributed throughout your area.

A boutique where accent lighting is used to showcase items, task lighting is used to illuminate the register, decorative lighting is used in the window display, and track lights are used to fill the room with ambient lighting.

Accent Lighting Brings Your Merchandise to Life

You may create a lighting scheme with evenly scattered bursts of illumination precisely where you want them by beginning with your accent lights.

For example, the boutique pictured above started with versatile ceiling-mounted Lighting on a Track and spotlights along the perimeter to highlight its wall product displays:

• (8) 4 bulb adjustable track light systems (each $100); (4) spotlights (each $50).
• 36 LED bulbs are available for $12 apiece.
• Estimated Total Cost: $1,432

Accent lighting may also be used to generate contrast. When multiple light sources are stacked to generate shadows and light around distinct goods or places, this is referred to as contrast. Contrast is a terrific method to capture buyers’ attention to a product and create a dynamic environment around it. It’s particularly beneficial in window displays, where the dramatic lighting will draw people’s attention.

Task lighting may help to brighten up your workspace.

The lighting type you’ll add to your room is task lighting, which often covers a greater area than accent lights. Consider “what actions or activities are done every day in my shop?” Let’s brighten the spaces where such chores take place in order to make them simpler and more enjoyable.”

The above-mentioned shop put a series of pendant lights above the checkout desk, as well as sconces in the fitting rooms and back office (not seen).

• (6) flea market pendant light fixtures (each $75) and (4) wall sconces (each $90)
• 10 LED bulbs are available for $12 each.
• Estimated Total Cost: $930

You don’t have to choose between utilitarian and attractive lighting, and you may use ornamental fixtures in all lighting tiers.

Decorative lighting may be used to add interest to a room.

Check for any lighting “holes” or spots that might benefit from a statement piece once your accent and task lighting pieces are in place. Funky LED signage, for example, was put in the window display of the store above to provide visual appeal where the owner thought it was missing.

Using dramatic or artistic lighting in your business windows is a terrific approach to create a visually appealing display that will attract passers-attention. by’s

• (9) LED signage (each costing $45)
• NA for bulbs
• Estimated Total Cost: $405

Be creative and enjoy the design flexibility with decorative lighting, which is the ideal lighting kind for grabbing the attention and conveying your brand. The perfect fixture in the appropriate location might help to make your shop stand out. Decorative lighting, on the other hand, must be consistent with your brand in order to be remembered positively. If this creative store had installed sleek, modern chandeliers, for example, the ornamental light would become a distraction rather than an enhancement of the environment.

Ambient lighting may be used to fill up the gaps.

Use ambient lighting to fill in the lighting gaps between your accent, task, and decorative fixtures. Those elements need to be placed first so you can identify and fill in any gaps with ambient lighting like this boutique does using Lighting on Track systems to illuminate the center of the store.

• (6) four-bulb adjustable track light systems (each $100)
• 24 LED bulbs are available for $12 apiece.
• Estimated Total Cost: $888

Retail store light fixtures, especially recessed and Lighting on a Track, should be no more than 6 feet apart.

Examine Your Lighting Strategy

When it comes to completing your lighting design, there are a few things to keep in mind: remaining within budget and code, as well as illuminating the whole room. This involves looking at your expected cost, ADA and International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) standards, and your estimated Coverage that is not too heavy depending on your lumen count.

Your Retail Lighting Plan’s Price

The total estimated cost of the light fixtures and bulbs for this boutique’s lighting plan is $3,655. Some of our favorite places to get high-quality, low-cost bulbs and fixtures are:

Of course, the cost of any lighting solution is affected by any wiring, retrofitting, or installation requirements. However, the five-step layered lighting strategy described above will give you a good start in determining your total fixture and bulb requirements, as well as an estimate of how much you will spend.

Put your money where it matters if you’re on a limited budget. This is where the bulk of your lighting spending should go in most shops for accent and task lighting.

Requirements

According to the ADA and IECC, some regulations for commercial buildings must be met. To prevent fines in the future, you’ll want to double-check these rules and compliance.

The IECC is a national standard that applies to all 50 states. You may, however, opt to use state-specific codes (ASHRAE/IES 90.1) instead. The IECC mentions ASHRAE/IES 90.1 as an alternative standard, giving companies an option.

• Requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Requirements of the IECC

• The distance between wall sconces and the wall should be no more than 4″.
• There are no depth limits for lights that are less than 27″ or more than 80″ from the floor.
• The distance between the floor and the wall sconces should be between 2’4″ and 6’8″.
• The distance between light switches and the ground should be no greater than 48″.
• Switches on table lamps must be within 25″ of the user.
• Switches on table lamps should be no more than 44″ from the floor.
• Table and floor lights should have a 30″ navigation space around them.
• Bathroom or light switch access cannot be obstructed by lights.

(Photo courtesy of the Lighting Controls Association)

Coverage that is not too heavy

Return to your total lumens to confirm that your strategy will appear fantastic in real life.

Retail businesses should strive for an ambient light reading of 1.5 to 2.5 lumens per cubic foot, according to the Lighting Research Center. To do so, first determine the cubic area of your shop space using the following formula: Total Cubic Area = Width x Length x Height of your sales floor.

Then multiply the sum by 1.5-2.5 to obtain an estimate of the space’s acceptable lumens.

Add up the total lumens given by the bulbs in your lighting design once you’ve calculated the total lumens required to illuminate the room. Is your plan’s total amount of lumens near to the quantity required by your cubic foot formula? If it’s close, you’re on the right track. If the overall lumens in your design are higher, you may reduce lighting in specific locations. If it’s less than the suggested quantity, you may need to add extra ambient lighting to fill in the gaps.

Mirrors are a low-cost option to brighten your shop and increase the amount of light it receives. A mirror is a low-cost option for integrating new wiring and fixtures in rooms that require a little additional light.

Conclusion

Many aspects go into designing a lighting strategy for a retail business, including bulbs and fixtures, as well as accent, task, decorative, and ambient lighting. You’re ready to create a retail lighting plan that maintains your area visible and boosts both your consumer experience and your brand using the approach and recommendations outlined above.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a retail light?

The easiest way to choose a retail light is by comparing the different wattage outputs of each type and choosing which one will be most suitable for your personal needs.

What kind of lighting do retail stores use?

Retail stores typically use fluorescent lighting.

What type of lighting do you think would be best for a retail space?

I would recommend using either fluorescent lighting or LED lights. LEDs provide an even light spread and are more cost-efficient than fluorescent bulbs, while they will not produce as much heat.