Lighting is Highly Impactful for Grocery Store Goers
There are various aspects of lighting that impact each grocery store shopper. Highlights and accents give stores a visually appealing atmosphere that attracts customers’ attention. New items can also benefit from highlights. Accent lighting can emphasize display areas with new items.
Lighting also controls the mood of the grocery store and its visitors. Good grocery store lighting will make merchandise appear vibrant and make customers feel comfortable. Bad grocery store lighting will overwhelm and confuse customers.
Stores Around the Country Commonly Make the Same Mistakes
The most common lighting mistakes are often inefficient lighting and the wrong temperature lighting. Subpar lighting can include cheap bulbs that get too hot. For example, fluorescent bulbs often run at a high temperature; this can be detrimental to produce and merchandise.
Inefficient lighting also tends to require more maintenance than other lights. Many grocery stores will choose a cheaper option over the option best for their products. Choosing the wrong temperature lighting can also alter the way products look and appear to customers.
Risk of Making These Mistakes
If you choose inefficient lighting, it could make you lose money in various ways. Some poor lights can even decrease the shelf life of produce! Because insufficient lights typically produce more heat, the heat will cause the decomposing process to speed up. Many grocery stores have to throw out an excessive amount of products because of bad lighting.
Not only can it cause you to throw away rotten food, but you can lose direct sales because of these lighting mistakes. The color of lighting will alter the appearance of your merchandise. If the color makes the merchandise unattractive, shoppers are less likely to buy it. Grocery stores lose money every day because their products are not under good lighting.
The Mistakes And How to Avoid Them
1. Not Having Enough Contrast
When your store does not have any contrasting lights, it can make it hard for shoppers to navigate. For example, too many bright lights will not highlight any of your sale items. On the contrary, not enough light can make it hard for customers to focus on your products.
Contrast draws people to various areas of the store. By having contrasting lights, you can essentially guide customers through your store. This is a great way to highlight important items and products in high demand.
2. Not Considering the Merchandise’s Appearance
Many stores do not consider the type of product they are selling before they choose their lights. Lights can have a hugely negative effect on items sold in grocery stores. In some cases, lights can make bright and vibrant things appear dull and lackluster.
When choosing grocery store lights, it is vital to understand CRI. CRI, or color rendering index, provides different intensities based on where on the scale your light falls. The closer CRI is to 100, the better color and vibrancy your products will have. Always choose lights that complement what you are selling. Better lighting equals more sales!
3. Not Choosing the Proper Fixtures or Technology
By not choosing the proper fixtures or technology, you could cost your store more and lose customers! Old lighting technology often requires more maintenance and is more expensive. For instance, manual lighting uses more energy and electricity than automated lighting.
Improper fixtures can make your grocery store look outdated. An outdated may not appeal well to a younger generation. To appear updated and classic, choose fixtures that compliment your grocery store. Newer technology can also benefit your store.
4. Not Looking Over Lighting Codes
Lighting codes are extremely important for every store owner. Lighting codes determine how much electricity and energy can be used, as well as how lights should be installed. Failure to adhere to lighting codes can be expensive. If you do not follow lighting codes for your area, you could end up paying more money down the road.
If you follow the lighting codes for your store, you will not experience any delays or installation fees. Getting inspections can cost you money, but having to uninstall and replace lighting will be more expensive.
5. Not Consulting an Expert
Grocery stores that do not consult a lighting expert are more likely to experience these common mistakes and more! Professionals in the light business understand which lights are best for your merchandise and which technology will save you the most money. Lighting experts can help you understand contrasting and lighting codes as well.
