The Impact of Lighting for Retail Spaces

There’s generally a good reason why retail stores always seem to have really bright lighting. Lighting plays a pivotal role in human emotion and may help guests and employees find what they’re looking for. No matter what type of business you run, proper lighting goes a long way in establishing the right environment and helps create an engaging shopping experience for everybody involved. Today, Induction Lighting Fixtures is here to explain the impact of lighting for retail spaces and how it can benefit those looking to shop and those who help keep things running.

Employee Benefits

Nobody spends more time in your retail store than your hardworking employees. And that means few people benefit from the positive effects of proper lighting more than they do. Lighting can have many psychological impacts on the human mind and impact everything from attitude to energy and even body language. Things like slouched shoulders, crossed arms, or a tilted head may send a negative impression. However, the issue may not be with their mood. Instead, it may be a side effect of prolonged exposure to dim, ineffective lighting.

If your store has a dimmer atmosphere with harsher lighting, your employees are likely the ones who will suffer the negative effects of this decision. Dim lighting can lead to tiredness, while harsher lighting can cause physical injuries like eye strain or headaches. Employees suffering from negative psychological effects due to poor illumination are less likely to provide good customer service. This can create a more hostile and unwelcoming environment where nobody is happy.

Customer Benefits

Customers get their first impression of your establishment the moment they walk through the front door. There are some retail spaces where softer lighting may be the ideal environment, such as a coffee shop or record store. However, larger retail spaces like big box stores or department chains benefit from bright lighting that welcomes guests and makes the store feel even bigger.

Utilizing cooler lighting boosts customer energy and may make them more likely to want to explore your store. Customers who spend more time walking around the store are more likely to find products they wish to purchase. This use of lighting is why many grocery stores have cool, bright lights that encourage exploration.

Safety Effects

One of the biggest impacts of lighting for retail spaces is that well-lit areas are typically safer. If your retail location has a parking lot, you may want to use post-top lighting to create an illuminated area. Higher lighting levels help increase general security and put people's minds at ease when shopping. Without adequate lighting, your nighttime customers may be at an increased risk of assault or theft when entering or leaving your store.

Customers may also find it difficult to navigate a dark parking lot at night and stumble over tripping hazards like curbs, stairs, or parking bumpers. You don’t want the lighting conditions in your parking lot to be inadequate. Customers may be able to hold you legally responsible for any mishaps or accidents that transpire on your property if they deem the lighting negligence on your part.

Product Displays

The products on your shelf are the primary draw of any retail store. Modern shopping locations still have the edge over online shopping because customers can come to look at products and get a more hands-on experience. Customers are much more likely to purchase a product that they pick up off the storage shelf and have a chance to examine.

On top of that, a well-lit display can entice customers to further investigate a product, which is why you always want to highlight your displays as best as possible. Many retailers observe that increased LED lighting on end caps, floor models, and other noteworthy displays helps drive up customer interest and makes your products pop.

Positive Brand Boost

As we indicated earlier, many customers form their first impression of your establishment from the moment they walk in the front door. That impression can cement how they feel about your brand and whether your store is one they want to make a part of their regular shopping experience. Customers are more likely to spend money at a store when they feel connected to the brand or company behind it.

Essentially, creating a positive impression on your customers as soon as possible can help them form positive feelings toward your shop. Those positive feelings help increase the chances that they'll become regular customers at your retail space. Regular customers are more likely to leave good reviews, bring friends and family with them on shopping trips, and recommend your store through word of mouth. Nearly every aspect of the customer experience influences whether you make a great first impression. An engaging and inviting lighting system can help get you on the right foot with your guests.

Energy Efficiency

Many of the impacts of lighting for your retail space may seem more subtle in the way they affect employee and customer energy or help increase overall sales. However, there are some positive impacts of revamping your lighting system that can have a much more quantifiable effect. Investing in new bulbs and lighting fixtures can help minimize your monthly utility bills. Use energy-efficient LED bulbs or fixtures that provide less light for nighttime workers while still adhering to safety standards.

Initial investments for new bulbs and rewiring may be hefty upfront, but the savings come over time, and you can start to notice the costs go down in as little as a few months. Decreasing expenses while boosting customer experiences to increase sales is a worthwhile and beneficial move for your retail shop, regardless of what business you're in.

If you need help establishing a commercial lighting system, Induction Lighting Fixtures is here for you. We have a wide range of interior and exterior lights and bulbs that work for any retail environment. Whether you need post-top lighting for your parking lot or overhead lights for LED bulbs, we have the parts, services, and knowledge to help you. To learn more about how that lighting can positively benefit your commercial space or speak with a trained member of our staff, feel free to contact us anytime. Induction Lighting Fixtures is here to ensure that your company’s future shines brightly.