As a retailer, business owner, or store manager, you need to think about your customers and what they see when they enter your store. Did you know that cleanliness is one of the first things customers notice when they walk into any business? Keeping things clean and bright will impact your customers’ perception and trust. This means that whether you’re building your very first store or establishing a new one, you also need to take into consideration the commercial lighting.

 

Here are a few things you need to know when selecting commercial lights for your store.

 

#1 Every country has a lighting regulation for commercial establishments
Every country usually has regulations and standards governing lighting in commercial establishments. These regulations may cover energy efficiency, light pollution, safety, and accessibility requirements. Retailers must be aware of and adhere to these regulations when selecting lighting fixtures for their stores.

For example, in the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific lighting requirements for various workplaces. This includes, but is not limited to:

 

• having minimum lighting requirements for each in foot-candles (ft-c)
• required examination, installation, and use of electrical equipment
• desks, tables, and other task areas having supplemental lighting
• all light fixtures requiring protective plates

 

Failure to comply with the various regulations can result in fines, penalties, or even the closure of the establishment. Of course, it can also lead to danger for your employees or your customers.

 

#2 Not all lights can be used for commercial lighting
Not all lighting fixtures are suitable for commercial applications, so suitability for commercial use should be a priority. Residential lighting is usually cheaper, doesn’t last as long, and might not be as bright. Commercial environments often require lighting solutions that are considered commercial grade. Commercial-grade lights can withstand frequent use, provide consistent illumination, and meet specific performance criteria.

Retailers and businesses getting residential lighting due to ignorance or frugality might lead to more operational costs in the future, liabilities, dangers, accidents, and more. When choosing commercial lighting fixtures, retailers should look for products explicitly designed and certified for commercial use to ensure durability, reliability, and compliance with industry standards.

 

#3 Most governments prefer and promote the use of LED as commercial lights
LED (light-emitting diode) lighting has become the preferred choice for commercial applications due to its numerous advantages over traditional lighting technologies. LED lights offer superior energy efficiency, a longer lifespan, lower maintenance costs, and better light quality compared to incandescent, fluorescent, or halogen lights.

Moreover, many governments, such as the Japanese government, actively promote the use of LED lighting through incentives, rebates, and regulations aimed at reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Since LED is known to be much more sustainable than other conventional lighting, the government aligns the use of commercial LED lighting with its green efforts among businesses and communities. LED lighting has a longer lifespan, less energy waste, and is non-toxic. These benefits lead to LED lighting being more preferred and encouraged by governments.

 

#4 There are parts of the store that must be illuminated at all times
Continuous illumination is also crucial for some businesses. Certain areas within a store may require continuous illumination for various reasons, including safety, security, or operational reasons.

For example, emergency exits, aisles, stairwells, and certain workspaces must be adequately illuminated at all times to ensure visibility and mitigate safety hazards. Establishments like garages and open-air parking lots also require sufficient lighting in walkways and actual parking areas to avoid trips, falls, and other accidents. Adequate lighting in these kinds of businesses will also help deter criminals and prevent any wrongdoing or malicious intent. 

When selecting lighting fixtures for these areas, retailers should prioritize reliability, durability, and energy efficiency to maintain consistent illumination levels and comply with regulatory requirements.

 

#5  Designs of lighting fixtures can affect business performance
Lighting fixtures and their designs will always have an impact on the business’s performance, from the main aesthetic appeal to the product presentation and even the overall customer experience or employee productivity.

Aesthetic Appeal and Brand Image

The design of commercial lighting fixtures can significantly influence the ambiance, mood, and overall aesthetic appeal of a store. Sleek, modern fixtures can create a sophisticated atmosphere. Meanwhile, decorative or specialty fixtures can enhance the store's visual identity and brand image. Retailers and businesses should carefully consider the design, style, and finish of lighting fixtures to align with their brand's image, values, and target demographic.

Visual Merchandising, Marketing, and Product Presentation

Proper lighting is crucial for showcasing merchandise and products effectively. This can contribute greatly when trying to attract customers' attention. This is because the design and placement of commercial lights can impact the visibility, color accuracy, and presentation of products. As a result, this can influence any business's purchasing decisions and sales performance. Retailers should select the most appropriate commercial lighting and strategically position them to highlight featured products, create focal points, and guide customers through the store's layout.

Customer Experience and Engagement

Good commercial lighting also plays a vital role in shaping the overall shopping experience and influencing customer behavior. Well-designed lighting can create a welcoming, inviting atmosphere. Remember that lighting is one of the first things that customers notice in a store.

Adequate lighting encourages customers to linger, explore, and make good purchase decisions. On the other hand, poor lighting design, such as harsh glare or inadequate illumination, can detract from the shopping experience—leading to customer discomfort, frustration, and decreased sales. Retailers need to prioritize lighting designs that enhance comfort, promote visual clarity, and evoke positive emotions among customers.

Of course, the nature of the business would also have to be considered. Bright lighting is usually associated with security and cleanliness, which can be good for retail stores, offices, supermarkets, pharmacies, and more. Meanwhile, restaurants and cafes typically go with warm and cozy lighting to evoke intimacy and relaxation among customers.

Employee Productivity and Satisfaction

Of course, selecting the best commercial lighting is not just for the sake of customers or visitors. Adequate lighting is also essential for supporting employee morale, productivity, and well-being in a retail environment.

Properly illuminated workspaces, such as checkout counters, bar counters, fitting rooms, and stockrooms, can improve employee task visibility, accuracy, and efficiency. Additionally, well-lit employee areas contribute to a more pleasant and comfortable work environment. This boosts morale, job satisfaction, and retention rates among employees. Studies have also shown that employees who are less satisfied with the lighting quality in their workplace report that it significantly affects their work efficiency and personal well-being.

Retailers need to invest in lighting designs that prioritize both customer experience and employee well-being to maximize business performance.

 

Why choose SOLUM Retail Lights?
If you’re looking for the best retail and commercial lighting for your new store, look no further than SOLUM Retail Lights. Developed by SOLUM Group, these retail lights boast cutting-edge technology and sophisticated designs that are made specifically for various retail and commercial environments.

SOLUM Retail Lights are commercial-grade lighting, with lumen packages ranging from 2300 to 3500 lm, making them ideal for commercial and retail uses. They can be used in small retail stores, big supermarkets, workshops, offices, galleries, architecture firms, and more. SOLUM Retail Lights have multiple variations, including the Vexillum series, the Pacto series, Bene series, and the Angulus series.

Some of the features of SOLUM Retail Lights include:

• Maximum power delivery from 2600 to 3500 lm, 
• Flexible illumination with 0 to 90 tilting and 0 to 355 rotation
• CCT (correlated color temperature) of 3000, 4000, and 5000K
• Energy-efficient LED lighting technology
• Automation and remote control
• Aesthetic illumination design
• High CRI (color rendering index) for accurate color representation of products
• Suspension or Surface Installation
• Flicker-free driver
• IP20 rating for touchproof and dustproof
• Lightweight design
• Easy angle adjustment
• Easy maintenance
• Specially designed lens technology
• Long lifespan

 

With a mix of functionality and design, the SOLUM Retail Lights will elevate the aesthetics of a retail environment, enhance the shopping experience, boost employee morale, improve safety and security, add to the visual marketing, and create a bright and inviting environment for all.

 

Are you ready to invest in high-quality and powerful commercial lighting for your establishment? Talk to SOLUM Group experts today and learn more about SOLUM Retail Lights for your business!