under such light. Most incandescent lamps have very high CRIs. Unfortunately, they lack
precise directional characteristics desired when lighting art. One benefit of low-voltage
track and cable systems is that they typically make use of halogen lamps. Halogen lamps
combine nearly perfect color rendering abilities (typically 100) with precise beam control.
Color Temperature is another factor determining how colors appear to the eye under a specific
lamp. The concept is fairly intuitive in that warm colors will be more vibrant under ‘warm’
lamps and cool colors are richer under ‘cooler’ light sources. Incandescent bulbs emit warm,
if not yellow, light while halogen lamps such as those found in most contemporary track
lighting, cable lighting and monorail lighting systems emit extremely white light in the
mid to slightly warm range.
In short, halogen lamps are excellent choices when lighting merchandise.
Communicating Quality
Cheap lighting is surprisingly obvious. Lighting in higher end stores should match the
desired perceived quality of the merchandise. Accent lighting on small groupings of
merchandise lends an air of exclusivity and quality to the store and its merchandise.
Don’t Forget the Rest of the Store
Fixtures with high CRIs should be used in other critical, but often overlooked, areas
as well. Dressing rooms are key since you want merchandise to look its best in these
environments. Consider using recessed lighting in dressing rooms. Sconces are another
good choice in dressing rooms. Placed on either side of the mirror, sconces help to
minimize unflattering shadows while trying on new clothes.
Cashier stations and customer service areas require ample task lighting to make them
functional as well as approachable and easy to find.
Lighting a small retail boutique is more involved than lighting a grocery, but the
importance of proper retail lighting should not be underestimated. Proper use of
accent lighting with understated general illumination can transform an unremarkable
small shop into a delightful shopping experience.
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