Why lighting can increase retail sales

As it impacts both customers and staff, the importance of lighting in the retail environment should never be underestimated. Carefully conceived lighting enhances the customer experience in store, improves the working environment and promotes an increase in sales.

Setting the mood with lighting

How people feel as they enter your shop will influence how long they linger and often how much they will spend. Lighting schemes have the power to alter shoppers’ moods and to deliver emotional impact which could prompt your customers to buy. Lights can be utilised to direct shoppers to key products and will always play a role in how those who enter your shop perceive your business.

It is vital to settle on the right atmosphere for your store and to decide exactly how you want shoppers to feel when they walk across the threshold. Warm lighting is relaxing whereas brighter lights enable customers to better see products. Dimmer lighting in walkways ensures that shoppers feel comfortable while products can be highlighted with brighter spotlights to draw clients towards them.

Style matters

Style is a crucial consideration when choosing your commercial lighting. Vintage fittings, chandeliers, or dome lighting will produce an intimate feel. Recess, track lighting, or suspended fittings deliver a more professional but less welcoming atmosphere. Which approach best suits your business? Your lighting strategy must reflect both your products and your brand identity.

Select the right temperature

It might seem strange to talk about temperature when you are planning your lighting. But light can be warm or cool and it is important to understand the benefits of both options. Cool colours create the illusion of space whereas warm lighting conjures greater intimacy and a sense of nostalgia. Your approach could be dictated by the size of your store or the atmosphere that you are looking to create.

Ambient, accent and high-activity lighting

Ambient lighting is your shop’s principle lighting which produces the dominant atmosphere throughout the space. On the other hand, accent lighting in the form of spotlights draws attention to specific areas or products.

A combination of ambient lighting and accent lighting could still leave your store with dark corners. This could either set the mood perfectly or prevent customers from discovering some of your range. High-activity lighting features bright lights which illuminate the entire store to ensure that no products are ever overlooked.

The value of contrasts

Clever lighting schemes heighten contrasts to direct attention and ensure that customers can see every detail of your products. Multiple sources of light can be utilised to create shadows around displays while spotlights allow the products to stand out. You can draw your customers towards your displays with ease if you choose the right lighting effects.

Always accent new items and higher-priced choices to maximise your sales. Lower shelves which could easily be missed can be backlighted for emphasis and as this approach will attract shopper’s attention but offers a softer feel which is easy on the eye and leaves your principle displays to be the stars of the show.

Drive sales with lighting

From creating a memorable first impression to directing customers towards your products, light influences shoppers’ moods and behaviours from the moment they step through the door. Better still, good lighting choices can improve your operating costs, reinforce your brand identity and inspire greater productivity from your staff.