4 Reasons to Use LEDs for Supermarket Lighting

It’s no secret that how a supermarket is laid out influences our purchasing choices. For example, the specific locations of items can influence buyers to add them to their cart.

Another not-so-obvious but major factor that influences purchasing choices is lighting.

When a supermarket has the right lighting setup, customers tend to enjoy their shopping experience more, spending more time in the store premises, which increases their likelihood of buying more stuff. As such, it’s important for managers and business owners to understand how they can make the most out their store’s lighting system.

As incandescent and fluorescent lamps in homes are being replaced by modern, efficient lighting solutions like LEDs, commercial establishments like supermarkets and retail stores are following suit. Here are some reasons why LED lighting systems should be considered for supermarket lighting.

It Improves General Lighting

Supermarkets need light that’s both welcoming and effective. Lights should be used to guide and direct shoppers throughout the store, but they should also create a pleasant shopping experience. You don’t want your customers to squint when reading food labels due to the glare of your supermarket lights.

Lighting should also help bring attention to areas of interest in your supermarket. Spotlights above discounted sections, for example, serve as visual cues for shoppers.

With modern LEDs, you can play around with lighting effects thanks to their sophisticated features. These include dimming, which helps create dark and bright contrasts, and choosing between different colors without changing bulbs.

Keeps Goods Fresher Longer

Unlike incandescent and fluorescent lights that give off residual heat that can affect the quality of the food displayed in the supermarket, LEDs are cool to the touch, even when switched on for hours. Food items, especially fresh produce, meat, and dairy, are better left in a cool space so they can last longer. LEDs also produce very low IR and UV radiation which can spare packaging materials.

Color Affects to the Shopping Experience

LEDs have Color Rendering Index (CRI) values of well over 90, which means they can generate white light that approximates incandescent lighting and natural daylight. The CRI is the measurement used to indicate how true a color appears under a light source. The higher the CRI value, the more accurate colors appear. Reds are redder, greens are greener, which all translate to making displays pop.

This matters a great deal because customers judge the quality and freshness of a food item according to its color. The better the color reproduction of a light source is, the more likely customers will make a purchase.

Reduce Costs

Energy savings is perhaps the biggest benefit of using LEDs in commercial establishments like supermarkets. A 10 to 15 watt LED, for example, produces the same amount of light as a 100-watt incandescent light bulb—sometimes even more.

Maintenance costs are also reduced because LEDs have longer lifespans compared to other light fixtures. And since they don’t produce excess heat, the supermarket also saves electricity on air-conditioning.

Lighting is integral part of a shop concept and customer experience. Good lighting makes customers want to stay in the shop for longer. The longer they stay, the more likely they will purchase more items. With LEDs, you not only get bright lighting, you’re also reducing your energy consumption and reducing your operating costs.