Is It Worth Lighting Your Storefront?
Have you ever been in a shopping mall and walked past a store, only to be surprised that it was open? Why did that happen?
Most people list a few reasons; the first could be that the storefront was damaged in some way, and they had then seen the sign that said 'We are open,' which surprised them. The second reason is that the lights at the front of the store, or in the store, were off.
Marketing research has shown that humans link lights and brightness to something being accessible or open. Ergo, if a storefront is dark, people will assume that the shop is closed or not accessible.
So, for those about to open a store in a mall, is it worth skipping out on lighting the front? Here are five reasons why lighting your store up is a great idea.
Visible
Most people are attracted to things that are bright; it's almost like a weird magpie reflex! When a person is walking past storefronts, they are not going to be able to see the advertisements, signs, or stock in a dark shop. This means that your storefront will be invisible in a world of brightly lit options. The impact of lighting on signs is the same; if your storefront does not emphasize your shop's name or your branding, it is likely to be less successful. You want to attract potential customers and grow your brand, which you can't do in the dark!
Aesthetics
Lighting that is placed thoughtfully can make any storefront visually appealing. As stated before, this can be due to the stock being visible and signs about your store, but it goes a bit further than that, too. If your store is in a building with interesting architectural features, why not use more lighting to showcase them? This can make your store look more inviting and different, attracting more potential customers.
Branding
Unless you intend to open a store that has a market aimed at darkness (which could work for a gothic clothing store), you will need to use lighting to reinforce your brand identity by creating a memorable atmosphere that reflects your brand. For instance, if you are a store that sells rare and exotic plants, you could use lighting around your store to highlight the new or rare plants, creating a link in your customer's minds between brightness and what your shop or brand can offer them.
Opening Hours
Brightening your storefront allows you to remain visible after the sun goes down, which must happen in winter! By lighting your store up, you can create a welcoming presence and help customers find your store, even if you are open late.
Security
People who are looking to commit criminal activity do not like the light, so when it comes to protecting your store and your staff, having the front area lit up can be a great deterrent. It reduces hiding spots and can also help with clarity with the use of CCTV, which is helpful should an incident occur down the line.
Most people list a few reasons; the first could be that the storefront was damaged in some way, and they had then seen the sign that said 'We are open,' which surprised them. The second reason is that the lights at the front of the store, or in the store, were off.
Marketing research has shown that humans link lights and brightness to something being accessible or open. Ergo, if a storefront is dark, people will assume that the shop is closed or not accessible.
So, for those about to open a store in a mall, is it worth skipping out on lighting the front? Here are five reasons why lighting your store up is a great idea.
Visible
Most people are attracted to things that are bright; it's almost like a weird magpie reflex! When a person is walking past storefronts, they are not going to be able to see the advertisements, signs, or stock in a dark shop. This means that your storefront will be invisible in a world of brightly lit options. The impact of lighting on signs is the same; if your storefront does not emphasize your shop's name or your branding, it is likely to be less successful. You want to attract potential customers and grow your brand, which you can't do in the dark!
Aesthetics
Lighting that is placed thoughtfully can make any storefront visually appealing. As stated before, this can be due to the stock being visible and signs about your store, but it goes a bit further than that, too. If your store is in a building with interesting architectural features, why not use more lighting to showcase them? This can make your store look more inviting and different, attracting more potential customers.
Branding
Unless you intend to open a store that has a market aimed at darkness (which could work for a gothic clothing store), you will need to use lighting to reinforce your brand identity by creating a memorable atmosphere that reflects your brand. For instance, if you are a store that sells rare and exotic plants, you could use lighting around your store to highlight the new or rare plants, creating a link in your customer's minds between brightness and what your shop or brand can offer them.
Opening Hours
Brightening your storefront allows you to remain visible after the sun goes down, which must happen in winter! By lighting your store up, you can create a welcoming presence and help customers find your store, even if you are open late.
Security
People who are looking to commit criminal activity do not like the light, so when it comes to protecting your store and your staff, having the front area lit up can be a great deterrent. It reduces hiding spots and can also help with clarity with the use of CCTV, which is helpful should an incident occur down the line.
