Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM DECEMBER 2019 50 I n just a few years, the lighting industry has experienced an extraordinary revolution. Due to the recent evolution in lighting products, retail and hospitality environments that for many years incorporated lighting design into their spaces can now enjoy new levels of performance that are redefining how we interpret spaces and merchandise our showrooms. Let's look at some of the advances in lighting technology that are re-shaping interior design. Historically, lighting design and control were primarily implemented by general contractors or builders. Most retail environments consisted of "high hat" fixtures: 6- to 7-inch-diameter downlights, or low-voltage mr-16 downlights that, while smaller and more focused, posed dimming issues, including annoying buzzing anomalies. Retailers could also choose among a variety of pendant fixtures to create "scenes" using switches or dimmers. Boutiques and specialty retailers might bring in a lighting consultant to support the particular environment with lighting as a medium. Thanks to the advent of LED lighting solutions, there are now more decorative lighting options, smart lighting controls, and a wider variety of lighting fixtures that can accentuate colors and textures and bring a heightened awareness to any space. The latest theory of lighting design is that if we can vary the color of the light to more closely track the sun, we can impact our internal "body clocks" and promote feelings of wellness. The science of circadian (daily) bodily rhythms is clearly appropriate for healthcare environments and offices, but why not incorporate the new lighting media in retail environments to bring a sense of calmness and peace for our customers? How can you take advantage of the latest in lighting technology to create a better environment in your retail space? For those contemplating a remodel or opening new locations, the time is ripe to align yourself with a qualified lighting designer who can educate you on the variety of LED lighting options and the associated costs. The latest lighting products offer significant energy savings, and the impact that color-tunable lighting can have on product displays is exciting – for example, the ability to tune a specific color to bring out texture or pull the grain from the wood in furniture displays, or create an inviting mood that welcomes the consumer, beckoning them to explore. And all of these emotional cues can now be amplified with today's advanced lighting options. The revelation you'll experience when you enter a space where the lights are programmed to follow a more natural transition that varies the color of the light to match the changing colors of daylight, with cooler light in the morning and warmer light in the evening, is an experience you'll want to share with your customers. Dave Workman Consumer Electronic Trends Dave Workman is CEO/President of ProSource, a cooperative, member-governed, not-for-profit buying group representing more than 550 tech retailers and custom integrators. With annual sales of more than 5 billion, ProSource is the largest specialty consumer electronics merchandising group in the U.S. Please visit www.prosourceinfo.com. for more information. RO RETAIL IS EXPERIENCING A LIGHTING REVELATION

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