Retail lighting design
Retail lighting is designed in three layers: uniform general lighting of about 300 lux in the sales area, accent lighting that makes products 3–5 times brighter than their surroundings, and window lighting. To show product colours accurately, CRI 90 or higher is chosen, with R9 > 50 for textiles and food.
From our project: Jewellery Store Interior Lighting
What to look out for
- Making products stand out
- Shelves and displays should receive 3–5 times the general light level so that the eye goes to the product first.
- Showing colour accurately
- Low-CRI light makes products look dull and increases returns; ask for CRI 90+ and the R9 value together.
- Flexibility
- Layouts change with the season; track spotlights can be re-aimed.
- Avoiding glare
- Spotlights should point at the product, not into the customer's eyes; narrow-beam models with anti-glare accessories are preferred.
Lighting by type of shop
- Clothing and footwear
- 3000K–3500K, CRI 90+. Mannequins and shelves are accented with narrow-to-medium-beam track spotlights; soft light from the front on the face in fitting rooms.
- Supermarkets
- Uniform linear lighting along the aisles (3500K–4000K); spotlights with product-specific spectra and high R9 for fruit and vegetables, meat and bakery counters.
- Jewellery
- 2700K–3000K for gold, 4000K for diamonds and silver; 12°–20° narrow-beam CRI 90+ spotlights with anti-glare accessories in the window.
- Electronics and technology
- 4000K and high uniformity; low-luminance luminaires that do not reflect on screens.
- Cosmetics and optics
- CRI 90+ light that shows skin tones accurately; shadow-free light from the front at mirrors and testing areas.
- Furniture and home décor
- 2700K–3000K to reflect a home atmosphere; each product group is accented separately and decorative pendants become part of the scene.
Lighting by area of the shop
- Shop window
- 5–10 times the general level to compete with daylight; narrow-beam spotlights and timed control.
- Entrance
- A higher light level that draws customers in and gives a soft transition from outdoor to indoor light.
- Shelves and displays
- Medium-beam spotlights or concealed LED inside shelves to light vertical surfaces; price labels must be readable.
- Checkout
- About 500 lux without glare; clear light for handling money and screens.
- Fitting room
- 3000K–3500K, CRI 90+ light from the front and sides without shadows; a single spotlight overhead makes faces look older.
- Stockroom and back of house
- About 100–200 lux, efficient linear luminaires and presence sensors.
Typical target values
| Area | Target | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sales area (general) | 300 lx | UGR ≤ 22, Ra ≥ 80 |
| Checkout | 500 lx | UGR ≤ 19 |
| Accented product | 3–5 × general | CRI 90+ |
| Shop window | 5–10 × general | Depends on daylight outside |
Values are typical targets from the standards; in a project they are determined by calculation for the conditions of the space.
Recommended product groups
Track Spotlights
3 models
A track spotlight is an LED spotlight that can be moved along and aimed on an electrical track mounted on the ceiling.
Recessed Downlights & Spotlights
9 models
A recessed spotlight is a minimal LED luminaire built into a suspended ceiling with only its front visible.
Linear Luminaires
7 models
A linear luminaire is an LED luminaire with a long, slim body that creates a continuous line of light.
Concealed (Cove) Lighting Profiles
2 models
Concealed lighting is indirect lighting where only the light is visible, not the source; it is used in ceiling coves, niches, under shelves and on stair treads.
Application examples
Our projects in this field
Frequently asked questions
How many lux should a shop have?
The typical target is 300 lux for general lighting in the sales area and 500 lux at the checkout. Accented products are given 3–5 times this value.
Which colour temperature is used for jewellery lighting?
2700K–3000K for gold, 4000K–5000K for diamonds, silver and platinum; both with high CRI and narrow-beam spotlights.
Track spotlights or recessed spotlights in a shop?
Track spotlights suit areas where the product layout changes; recessed spotlights suit fixed accents and general lighting. Most shops use both.
How long does it take to prepare a retail lighting design?
It depends on the size of the shop and the number of layers; once the plan and product list are shared, the duration is given with the quotation.