Lighting Strategies to Reduce Retail Costs

                                                                                         

Lighting a retail store can really boost up your electric bill. Therefore, it becomes really important to make the right choices. Lighting alone will make up about half of your electric bill each month. Any money you can save will add up over time and help keep the cost of running your store down.
The most cost effective type of lighting is fluorescent lighting. It is cheap to install and to maintain. If fluorescents do not really go with your idea of how your store should feel, then use these other options to reduce your lighting bill.
When designing your store, use as much natural light as possible. Sheer curtains, sky lights, glass doors and skylights not only give your store a nice natural light feel, but it can also greatly reduce the number of lights that are needed in your store. Small LED or halogen lights can put out a lot of light for a small amount of energy.
The next tip in store design to maximize lighting is to utilize a lot of reflective surfaces. Strategically placed mirrors can double the amount of light needed in a retail store. Your dressing room doors, counter tops and decorations can all be made of reflective materials. Sometimes all you need is a small lamp to illuminate a closed off area.
Clean your lights regularly. Dust collecting on your light bulbs can dim their output by almost half after only a couple of years. Make it a quarterly job to clean light bulbs and the shades surrounding them.
Use spotlights. Spotlighting certain areas can help a small amount of natural light go a long way. Additionally, spotlights help deter shoplifters from stealing from your store. Strategically place them over the registers, by the exits and in your fitting rooms. You will not only save on electricity, but on product loss as well. Make sure that you illuminate dark corners or behind walls that are not easily visible from the register. This is extremely important in larger retail stores as well.
Sometimes it is not important to light a large area. Areas where employees fold clothes or do paperwork can be lit with only a small lamp. The lamp can be turned off when not in use and save electricity.
Dimmer switches can help save energy as well. During the brightest parts of the day, the lights can be dimmed, using up to half as much energy as they would normally use. Only turn them up at night. Spotlight your mannequins to accentuate your promotions while leaving other lights dimmed. Little cuts here and there on lighting can save you a bundle during the lifetime of your business. Invest in quality store fixtures that are sure to last you a long time.

About the author:
About the Author: Ron Maier is the Vice President of S & L Store Fixtures, a leading provider of retail store displays and store fixtures, including slatwall accessories, mannequins and more. For more information, please visit www.slstoredisplays.com.

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