Retail lighting

Research shows good retail lighting attracts customers inside, focuses attention and builds sales.

Things you can do

Dusting light fittings regularly extends the life of lamps. It also helps maintain output and visual impact.

Maintenance

The nature of the business means retailers are usually on top of regular maintenance. But it is easy to overlook the importance of dusting light fittings.

Dust these regularly to ensure you get the maximum visual effects for which lighting has been designed. Doing so can also prolong lamp life and mean your lighting equipment runs efficiently.

Saving energy

There are a number of ways to save energy in store:

• Use energy efficient lamps, control gear and light fittings
• Specify bright room surfaces
• Use controls that turn off lights when not required
• Dim or switch off lights when daylight levels are high
• Clean lamp and fitting surfaces, regularly
• Group relamp - saving on labour costs.

Colours and finishes

The colours and finishes you choose can have a big impact on your lighting:

• Make sure you have the highest reflectance possible to complement your fit-out
• Choose wall finishes and furniture light in colour and tone
• Avoid glossy finishes for walls, ceilings and furniture (this can create glare)
• Limit saturated and primary colours to accents or lower walls (these absorb lots of light).

Preventing glare

You don't want glare, so:

• Light ceilings and walls with artificial light and day light
• Use blinds or shades that limit glare while retaining a view of the outside
• Choose wall finishes that are light in colour and tone
• Avoid glossy finishes on walls, ceilings, and furniture
• Use lamps that are not so bright.

Next steps

Take the initiative on more efficient lighting. Start with our lighting assessment tool, then talk to an expert.

Take the RightLight assessment

As a first step, try our online lighting assessment tool. It measures your lighting performance against the standards of the New Zealand Green Building Council and also the Building Code. You'll see how your business compares - and get some valuable tips on what you need to do to improve.

With that information in hand you'll be better equipped to talk to a lighting expert.

Talk to a professional

Lighting is a specialist area, so it pays to talk with a qualified lighting professional. Ideally they should be IES accredited (illumination Engineers Society).

Ask them to assess your specific needs and suggest the most appropriate energy efficient lighting designs and lamp options for your requirements.

Make sure you get a clear cost/benefit analysis of the different efficient lighting options available including payback period/ROI and lifecycle costs (including maintenance costs).