Retail Store Lighting Tips

Store lighting is critical today and is becoming more important as time passes because of the aging Baby Boomer population. Unfortunately, as we age, deteriorating eyesight is often an accompanying malady. Deteriorating eyesight makes it more difficult to read labels and therefore, more difficult to make informed buying decisions. Depending upon your retail product offering, higher lighting levels communicate to this important spending group, (the Baby Boomers), that you want them in your store. This is however, but one important consideration in lighting your store. So here are some more retail store lighting tips.

If your store offers general merchandise, let's say hardware, groceries or variety merchandise, then the high light levels referred to above are spot on (no pun intended). In fact light levels in the range of 75-150 fc are recommended for maximum visibility. Maintain light levels in even the lower level of this recommended spectrum and your store will appeal to us seniors. There are a number of light fixtures on the market today that can produce these levels of illumination and do so efficiently.

If however, you wish to "upscale" your offering in perhaps a clothing or gift store, then the rules of lighting change. A lower ambient lighting level coupled with accent lighting can create a "gallery" type atmosphere. Marry this type of lighting with classical music and appealing aromas and 'voila' you have sent a message to your customers that your offering is quality, exclusive and therefore, slightly more expensive. Not a bad message to send in the aforementioned store types.

If your budget does not allow new light fixtures then here is a basic but very important retail lighting tip. Make sure your lighting fixtures are cleaned regularly. This often overlooked housekeeping chore can help you keep your existing light fixtures operating at their maximum potential. LDD is an acronym that refers to Luminare Dirt Depreciation and its effects are startling.

Of course, the use of light in your store can encompass much more than mere functionality. Light can be splashed and sprayed on walls and key displays to create visual interest, grab attention and guide consumers through your store.

Philip H. Mitchell is the author of Discovery-Based Retail. His book has been endorsed by Scott Wright of the North American Retail Hardware Association, Art Brown of the Mid-American Lumberman's' association and other industry experts. Philip is also one of the founding partners of a retail consulting company of the same name, Discovery-Based Retail. His company works with retailers, both small and large, helping them enhance their profitability by improving their customer interface. Their company also specializes in improving the production of the entire sales space and designs floorplans to accomplish this.

Visit his website at http://www.discoverdbr.com

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