May 25, 2005—A recent field study from the Lighting Research Center (LRC) shows that colored lighting effects created by LED technology cut lighting energy in retail windows by 30% to 50% and attracted more attention from shoppers.
The LRC developed slim-profile LED fixtures to illuminate the display windows while saving energy.
The LED, a tiny semiconductor that emits light in a range of vivid colors, is commonly found in traffic signals, exit signs, and electronic displays, but recent improvements have prompted lighting specialists to look at new ways to use LEDs for illumination.
Colored LEDs, in particular, have become popular as an architectural and display lighting option because they offer flexibility to designers and consume half the energy of traditional incandescent sources with color filters.
After eight weeks and more than 700 surveys, the study found that 74% of shoppers found the new lighting design to be eye-catching; 84% agreed that the LED display windows were visually appealing and 91% confirmed that the reduced accent lighting did not diminish the visibility of the window mannequins and merchandise.
Sales data gathered by the retailer showed no significant change in sales at the three test stores during the study period, even with a 50 percent reduction in power consumption, according to the study.
The LRC is part of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, N.Y., and is the leading university-based research center devoted to lighting. For more information, visit the Web site.
