Lighting for Impact’s (LFI’s) founder Cameron Cloeter was featured on a recent episode of the Vending & OCS Nation podcast. The episode, titled “Suppliers Who Fuel Innovation and Drive the Industry Forward,” featured LFI and several ground-breaking colleagues who have significantly influenced the convenience services industry. Host Bob Tullio spotlights several suppliers, starting with our own Cameron Cloeter. Here’s a recap.
Insights from Cameron Cloeter – Lighting for Impact
Cloeter, founder of Lighting for Impact (LFI), dives into the philosophy, impact, and ongoing innovation of the company, which helps retailers transform the in-store experience through display illumination solutions. Cloeter opens by explaining the origins of the company, which emerged from a simple but powerful realization: good lighting sells products.
Our pilot project, a collaboration with Giant Eagle, a Pittsburgh-based grocery chain, focused on enhancing the lighting at checkout areas. The results were dramatic: a 20% increase in impulse product sales just by highlighting the products with shelf-edge illumination. That success caught the attention of major consumer brands like Wrigley and Mars, which saw value in supporting broader implementations of this concept.
Lighting for Impact scaled rapidly with their support, installing lighting solutions in more than 75,000 retail locations across North America.
The Psychology Behind Light
Cloeter explains that LFI’s approach is rooted in shopper psychology and behavior — lighting doesn’t just illuminate, it directs attention, enhances visual appeal, and influences buying decisions. He describes LFI’s lighting as “merchandising with light” — a subtle but highly effective method of creating a better shopping experience. It’s not just about making things brighter; it’s about creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages customers to linger longer and engage with the brands.
Applications Beyond Traditional Retail
One of the most compelling parts of Cloeter’s interview is how Lighting for Impact is adapting their offerings for non-traditional retail spaces, such as micro markets — unattended, self-service marketplaces commonly found in workplaces, schools, and hospitals.
In these environments, he says, lighting can be the difference-maker between a passive experience and one that actively drives engagement. Many micro markets are in lower-light settings (like break rooms or lobbies), where adding shelf-edge lighting can dramatically increase product visibility and sales.
Innovation and Customization
Lighting for Impact doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, Cloeter emphasizes the company’s commitment to custom design and tailored solutions. Each lighting project is developed based on the unique layout, goals, and budget of their client.
For example, wine displays might benefit from uplit panels in warmer tones to suggest sophistication, while health and beauty aids might be better served by wall washer lighting, which can accommodate complicated shelf configurations and frequent resets.
ROI-Driven Philosophy
Cloeter is clear that Lighting for Impact isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about ROI. They work closely with operators to ensure that every installation delivers a measurable impact on sales. He shares that many of our retail partners report double-digit lifts in category sales, particularly in high-margin categories like impulse buys, candy, and snacks.
He also emphasizes that shelf edge display lighting is the most cost-effective upgrade an operator or retailers can make.
As more retailers adopt frictionless and unattended shopping models, Cloeter sees lighting playing an even bigger role. Whether it’s AI-powered smart coolers, touchless vending machines, or hybrid convenience formats, the ability to attract and guide customers visually through the shopping experience is paramount. Cloeter and the entire LFI team are actively exploring how our solutions can support this next wave of innovation.
“Light sells.” And as consumer expectations evolve, retailers and operators who harness the power of lighting will be better positioned to drive sales, enhance experiences, and build loyalty in the increasingly competitive convenience services landscape.
Other Insights
Bob Tullio talked to several other innovative suppliers, including:
Ryan McWhirter – 365 Retail Markets
McWhirter highlights the evolution of smart cooler technology, focusing on products like PicoCooler Vision and Stockwell, and emphasizes the importance of incremental innovation, noting that advancements over the past few years have significantly enhanced cooler intelligence and functionality. McWhirter also hints at upcoming products that will further expand their smart cooler portfolio, indicating ongoing innovation in this space.
Elyssa Steiner – Cantaloupe Inc.
Steiner from Cantaloupe Inc. shares insights into the company’s efforts to modernize vending and micro market operations through advanced payment and management solutions. By integrating cashless payment systems and real-time data analytics, Cantaloupe aims to improve operational efficiency and customer experience. Steiner discusses the importance of embracing technology to meet evolving consumer expectations and streamline business processes.
Mark Kronenberg and Bryan Hebert – ProWatch Solutions
Kronenberg and Hebert discuss ProWatch Solutions’ advancements in security and monitoring technologies for vending and micro market operations. Their solutions aim to provide operators with real-time insights and control over their equipment. They emphasize the importance of integrating technology to proactively address potential issues and streamline management processes.
Butch and Lynn Winkler, Barbara Russell – Holiday House
The team from Holiday House shares their experiences in providing high-quality parts and accessories for the vending industry. They insist that customer service, strong relationships, reliability, and responsiveness are what have solidified their reputation in the industry.
Evan Jarecki – Gimme
Jarecki from Gimme highlights the company’s focus on leveraging technology to improve inventory management and data collection for vending operators. By providing real-time data and analytics, Gimme enables operators to make informed decisions, optimize routes, and reduce operational costs.
Use Lighting to Drive Your Business Forward
The Vending Marketwatch episode underscores the pivotal role that innovative suppliers play in advancing the convenience services industry. Through technology, design, and customer-centric solutions, these leaders are shaping the future of vending and micro market operations.
