Lighting is the single most influential element in a retail environment. Studies consistently show that well-designed lighting increases the time customers spend in a store, improves their perception of product quality, and directly boosts sales. Yet many Aiken store owners treat lighting as an afterthought, relying on whatever fixtures came with their lease space.
The right retail lighting strategy creates an atmosphere that draws customers in, highlights your best merchandise, and makes your products look their absolute best. Here is how to think about retail lighting from an electrical perspective and what Aiken store owners should consider when upgrading.
Track Lighting: The Workhorse of Retail Displays
Track lighting is the foundation of most retail lighting designs because it offers unmatched flexibility. Individual light heads mount on an electrified track and can be repositioned, aimed, and swapped out as your displays change. When you rearrange merchandise for a new season or promotion, your lighting adapts without calling an electrician.
Track lighting electrical requirements: A standard track lighting system runs on a 20-amp circuit and connects to the electrical system through a single junction box. The track itself distributes power to each light head along its length. Most retail installations use single-circuit track, but three-circuit track is available when you need independent switching zones on a single track run. This lets you control different groups of lights on the same track separately, creating layers of lighting from one installation.
Modern LED track heads consume 10 to 30 watts each, compared to 50 to 75 watts for the halogen track heads they replace. This means you can install three times as many light points on the same circuit, giving you more design flexibility without panel upgrades. A single 20-amp circuit can power 30 or more LED track heads, which is enough for a significant retail space.
Choosing track heads for retail: Not all track heads are created equal. For retail, look for heads with adjustable beam angles. Narrow spot beams (10-15 degrees) create dramatic highlights on featured products. Medium flood beams (25-40 degrees) illuminate larger display areas. Having a mix of beam angles on your track lets you create visual hierarchy, drawing the eye to key products while maintaining overall ambient light.
Accent Lighting: Making Products the Star
Accent lighting is targeted illumination that draws attention to specific products, displays, or architectural features. The general rule in retail lighting design is that accent lighting should be three to five times brighter than the surrounding ambient light. This contrast is what makes displayed items pop and catches customers' eyes as they move through your store.
Types of accent lighting for retail: Adjustable recessed downlights provide clean, architectural accent lighting from the ceiling. They are less visually prominent than track lighting and work well in higher-end retail environments where a minimalist ceiling is desired. However, they are fixed in position and require an electrician to reposition them when displays change.
LED strip lighting mounted inside shelving units, under counters, or behind displays creates a modern, high-end look. Strip lighting is low-voltage (typically 12V or 24V) and requires a driver (transformer) that converts 120V power to the appropriate voltage. Your electrician installs the driver in a concealed location and runs low-voltage wiring to the strip light locations. LED strips are available in a wide range of color temperatures and can even be tunable, allowing you to adjust warmth and brightness with a controller.
Picture lights and display-specific fixtures mount directly to walls or shelving to illuminate individual products or artwork. These are common in galleries, jewelry stores, and boutiques where individual items deserve their own spotlight. Each fixture needs a nearby power source, so planning display locations during the electrical rough-in is important.
Display Case Lighting and Color Rendering Index
Display cases present unique lighting challenges. The lighting must fit within a confined space, generate minimal heat (to protect merchandise), and render colors accurately so products look their best. This is where Color Rendering Index (CRI) becomes critically important.
Understanding CRI: CRI measures how accurately a light source reveals the true colors of objects compared to natural sunlight (which has a perfect CRI of 100). Standard commercial LED lighting typically has a CRI of 80, which is adequate for general illumination but makes colors look slightly muted or shifted. High-CRI lighting (90 or above) renders colors much more accurately and is essential for retail applications where color matters.
For clothing retailers, high CRI ensures that the rich blue a customer sees in the store is the same rich blue they see at home in natural light. For jewelry stores, high CRI makes diamonds sparkle and gold glow warmly. For food service, high CRI makes produce look fresh and baked goods look appetizing. Investing in high-CRI lighting throughout your retail space is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make.
Display case electrical: Most display cases use low-voltage LED lighting powered by small drivers. The electrical requirement is a standard outlet or hardwired connection near each display case for the driver. When planning your electrical layout, identify every display case location and ensure power is accessible without visible cords running across walls or floors. Many electricians install outlets inside or behind display cases during the build-out so that connections are completely hidden.
Color temperature selection: Beyond CRI, the color temperature (measured in Kelvin) of your lighting affects the mood and perception of your merchandise. Warm white (2700-3000K) creates an inviting, intimate atmosphere ideal for clothing boutiques, restaurants, and home goods stores. Neutral white (3500-4000K) provides a clean, bright environment suitable for electronics, office supplies, and general merchandise. Cool white (5000K and above) mimics daylight and is common in art galleries and jewelry stores where accurate color perception is paramount.
Energy Efficiency: Reducing Retail Electrical Costs
Lighting typically accounts for 30 to 50 percent of a retail store's electricity bill. With electricity costs in the Aiken area, that can add up to thousands of dollars annually for even a modest store. Upgrading to energy-efficient lighting reduces operating costs while often improving the quality of light in your store.
LED conversion savings: If your retail space still uses fluorescent tubes, metal halide fixtures, or halogen track lighting, switching to LED can reduce lighting energy consumption by 50 to 75 percent. A store spending $500 per month on electricity might save $100 to $200 per month after an LED conversion, with the investment typically paying for itself within 12 to 18 months.
LED lighting also generates significantly less heat than traditional sources. In South Carolina's climate, this reduced heat load means your HVAC system works less to keep the store comfortable, compounding your energy savings. We regularly see Aiken retail clients report total energy savings (lighting plus HVAC) of 25 to 40 percent after LED upgrades.
Lighting controls for efficiency: Smart lighting controls can further reduce energy costs without compromising the customer experience. Occupancy sensors in fitting rooms, stockrooms, and restrooms turn lights off when spaces are unoccupied. Daylight harvesting sensors near windows automatically dim electric lights when natural daylight is sufficient. Programmable timers ensure displays are lit during business hours and off after closing. Dimming controls let you reduce light levels during less busy periods or when full brightness is not needed.
These controls require specific wiring during installation. Dimming circuits need compatible dimmers and drivers. Sensor wiring must reach the right locations. Planning lighting controls during the electrical design phase ensures everything works seamlessly and maximizes your energy savings.
Storefront and Window Display Lighting
Your storefront is your first impression. Effective storefront lighting draws foot traffic from the sidewalk, makes your window displays irresistible, and communicates your brand identity even when the store is closed. In downtown Aiken, where foot traffic is a major driver of retail business, storefront lighting can directly impact your revenue.
Window display lighting: Window displays should be brightly lit from above and sides to eliminate shadows and make merchandise visible from the street. Recessed adjustable downlights in the ceiling above the window provide primary illumination. Supplementary strip lighting or small spotlights can highlight specific items within the display. The electrical for window displays should be on a dedicated circuit with its own switch or timer so displays can stay lit after the store closes.
One common mistake is lighting window displays from behind the glass only. During daylight hours, exterior light reflects off the glass and washes out interior lighting. Consider supplementing with exterior-rated gooseneck fixtures or recessed soffit lights that illuminate the window from outside, cutting through glare and keeping your displays visible all day.
Exterior storefront lighting: Beyond the window display, your building facade and signage benefit from dedicated lighting. Gooseneck lights, wall washers, and sconce fixtures add character and visibility to your storefront. These exterior fixtures should be on photocell-controlled circuits that turn on automatically at dusk and off at dawn, ensuring your storefront always looks its best without manual switching. All exterior wiring must use weather-rated materials and GFCI protection as required by the NEC.
If you are opening a new retail location in Aiken or upgrading the lighting in your existing store, Unity Power & Light can help you design and install a lighting system that enhances your merchandise, reduces your energy costs, and draws more customers through your door. Contact us for a free consultation and see what professional retail lighting can do for your business.