NULTY+ TRENDS IN LIGHTING DESIGN: RETAIL

At the crossroads of creativity, technology, and sustainability

We’re beginning to see a resurgence in the retail sector as retailers make significant changes to upgrade their stores and improve brand experience.

One of the biggest things driving this shift is consumer expectation. The legacy of the pandemic has changed the way we shop, so retailers must be creative in the physical realm.

The impact of the climate crisis means that consumers are more conscious and looking to align themselves with brands with clear sustainability principles. And the influence of the digital revolution means that customers expect retailers to be progressive and communicative.

The fundamental rules of retail lighting haven’t changed - lighting is still there to facilitate an emotional connection, guide the eye, and create ambience – but how we approach a project has evolved in line with changing expectations.

Retailers are making a sustained effort to tread a more sustainable path.

They’re investing in their stores and retrofitting their properties to replace luminaires with LEDs and reduce energy consumption.

Occupancy and daylight sensors can drive down energy consumption and reduce a retailer’s carbon footprint.

Intelligent systems can now adjust the lighting according to demand and reduce illumination levels when the required amount of natural light has been detected.

Smart lighting technology allows retailers to harvest data about consumers and track their movement around a store.

We can implement connected systems that activate lighting and shape the customer journey by encouraging dwell time and guiding shoppers to key touchpoints.