The end of the year is a great time for retail businesses with remaining capital budgets or those looking for a “big bet for 2025” to refresh key merchandising areas and invest in strategic upgrades to enhance the shopping experience.
In any retail planning scenario — whether for new stores, remodels, or category resets — on-shelf lighting upgrades are the most cost-effective remodel option, yielding strong financial performance. By enhancing your in-store shopper experience with on-shelf lighting, your investment will increase shopper engagement, loyalty, and sales.
How On-Shelf Lighting Benefits Retailers
- Enhances shopping experience
- Increases impulse buys
- Boosts overall sales
- Improves the in-store environment
- Builds store loyalty and trips
Average Profit After Remodeling a Retail Store with On-Shelf Lighting
Retail on-shelf lighting improves the store’s atmosphere and bottom line. Several tests have shown that on-shelf lighting consistently increases sales 5-7% — far more than any other store update like floor, wall or ceiling makeovers. According to numerous studies, well-placed lighting can positively affect consumer behavior, influencing shopper mood, dwell time, and purchasing decisions.
Costs to Remodel a Store with On-Shelf Lighting
Lighting should be considered first — not last — in a remodel, says Cam Cloeter, founder and president of Lighting for Impact. That’s because it only costs about $7,000 to light an entire average convenience store.
“Don’t replace all your fixtures and coverings if you’re tight on budget. New gondolas won’t make a difference if customers can’t see the products. Lighting is the most cost-effective remodel option, and it’s an investment that pays for itself quickly, often within days.” — Cam Cloeter, founder and president of Lighting for Impact
Steps for a Successful On-Shelf Lighting Upgrade
1. Identify Displays You Want to Be Noticed
Ask yourself:
- Which displays and product categories would benefit most from enhanced lighting? What are your high-profit margin categories?
- What do you want your stores to be known for? What will set you apart from the competition?
- Which categories do you want to grow? Which will add incremental profitability?
On-shelf lighting can draw attention to promotional items, specialty assortments, or growth categories. For example, many convenience stores use under-counter and center store lighting to promote underserved categories like snacks or impulse buys, while grocery stores frequently highlight health and beauty aid (HBA), wine, bakery, end cap, and organic sections.
2. Devise a Lighting Strategy
Ask yourself:
- What degree of illumination do you want for each area?
- What look and color temperature do you want for each area?
- What level of investment are you prepared for?
Not all lighting is created equal, and you have many options when it comes to an on-shelf lighting investment. For example, choose between cool, neutral, or warm color temperatures. Depending on your goals, you can also choose different investment levels: down lighting only, up- and down-lighting, or up- and down-lighting PLUS additional light at the back of the section or an uplit panel to add depth to your presentation.
3. Prepare For the Quote Process
Identify your:
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- Fixture dimensions (height, width, shelf depth)
- Fixture material (metal, wood, glass, etc.)
- Fixture color (white, black, silver, etc.)
- Illumination needs (shelf lighting vs. overhead lighting)
- Power infrastructure (location and voltage of outlets)
Having a well-thought-out power plan can save headaches and add future flexibility down the road. Our power systems are energy-efficient and only require a standard 120V outlet, and many of our clients work directly with our design, customer support and installation teams. This saves both time and money and simplifies the ordering and installation process.
Custom Lighting Solutions from an Expert Retail Partner
At Lighting for Impact, we focus on delivering high-quality, cost-efficient, on-shelf lighting solutions tailored to your store’s unique needs. Our systems are designed for high-traffic retail environments, backed by a 5-year warranty, and built to drive sales.
Whether you’re remodeling or refreshing key product areas, we offer a robust inventory of custom lighting components that simplify installation and management across multiple locations. We collaborate with retailers to create lighting designs that look great, fit your budget, and deliver fast results.
Our services include:
- Tailored lighting solutions based on your goals
- Detailed quotes and materials adjustments to match your budget
- Integration with the latest shelf technologies
With more than 75,000 installations across North America, we bring proven expertise to help you maximize your store’s potential.
Brighten Your Store’s Future
Don’t let your sales goals stay in the dark. If you’re considering store updates —big or small — let’s chat. At Lighting for Impact, we’re ready to help you enhance your store’s atmosphere and boost your bottom line with innovative retail shelf lighting solutions.
Check out this case study to see the difference lighting can make, or contact us today at 844.218.4112 to start planning your lighting upgrade. Your shoppers will notice, and your sales will show it.
