In a store, light sells. It guides customers through the space, draws attention to products and makes colours and textures look their best. Poor lighting makes fresh food look dull, fabrics look grey and the whole shop feel cheap. This guide covers the numbers that matter in retail lighting: CRI 90+, R9, contrast ratios, lux levels and colour temperature, and how to combine spotlights, track systems and general lighting.
To build these layers, explore Alton Ray track spotlights from the Ronika series and magnetic track lighting systems for modern stores.
Why CRI 90+ Matters in Retail
CRI (Colour Rendering Index) shows how faithfully a light source reproduces colours compared with natural light. For offices CRI 80 is enough, but in retail colour is part of the product, so CRI 90 or higher is the standard for fashion, cosmetics, jewellery and food stores.
The general CRI (Ra) only averages eight pastel colours. Two extra values are important for shops:
- R9 (saturated red): critical for meat, fruit, red clothing and skin tones. Look for R9 > 50, ideally above 80.
- R15 (skin tone): important in cosmetics stores, fitting rooms and anywhere customers see themselves in a mirror.
Contrast Ratio: Making Products Stand Out
Customers notice what is brighter than its surroundings. The accent ratio between highlighted products and the general light level decides how dramatic a display looks:
| Accent ratio | Effect | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2:1 | Barely noticeable | Supermarkets, discount stores |
| 5:1 | Clearly visible | Mid-range fashion and electronics |
| 10:1 | Strong emphasis | Premium brands, feature walls |
| 15:1 to 30:1 | Dramatic, theatrical | Jewellery, luxury boutiques, shop windows |
Recommended Light Levels by Store Type
| Store type | General lighting | Accent / display | CRI | CCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supermarket | 750–1000 lux | 1.5–2x general | 80–90 | 4000 K |
| Fashion and clothing | 300–500 lux | 5–10x general | 90+ | 3000–4000 K |
| Jewellery and watches | 300 lux | 15–30x general | 90+ | 3000–4000 K |
| Cosmetics and pharmacy | 500–750 lux | 3–5x general | 90+ (R15) | 3500–4000 K |
| Bakery, butcher, fruit | 500 lux | Special food spectrum | 90+ (R9) | 2700–4000 K |
| Electronics and mobile | 750 lux | 3–5x general | 80+ | 4000–5000 K |
Make Your Products Look Their Best
Send us photos of your store. We suggest beam angles, colour temperature and CRI 90+ spotlights that fit your brand.
CRI 90+ Track Spotlights
Adjustable Ronika spotlights for shelves, mannequins and feature walls. See all →
Ronika – Surface mounted lighting – Rotating rail – 32 watts – 36 degrees – Code RN13View ProductRonika – Surface mounted lighting – Rotating rail – 32 watts – 24 degrees – Code RN12View ProductRonika – Surface mounted lighting – Rotating rail – 32 watts – 15 degrees – Code RN11View Product
Ronika – Surface mounted lighting – Rotating rail – 30 watts – 15 and 50 degrees – Code RN21View ProductLayered Lighting: Three Layers in Every Good Store
- Ambient (general) lighting: recessed downlights, panels or linear lights provide safe, even orientation light.
- Accent lighting: adjustable spotlights on tracks highlight products, mannequins and feature walls. Narrow beams (15–24°) create strong focus; wide beams (36–60°) wash shelves and racks.
- Decorative and vertical lighting: wall washers, shelf lighting, LED strips and pendants build brand atmosphere and make walls visible from the entrance.
Track systems are the most flexible solution because spotlights can be moved whenever the layout or collection changes. Alton Ray Ronika track spotlights and 48V magnetic track lighting combine spotlights, linear modules and pendants on a single rail.
Colour Temperature and Brand Atmosphere
- 2700–3000 K (warm): luxury, bakery, furniture and gift shops; feels cosy and premium.
- 3500–4000 K (neutral): fashion, cosmetics and pharmacies; accurate colours with a friendly feel.
- 5000 K and above (cool): electronics and hardware stores; feels technical and very bright.
Avoid mixing many colour temperatures in one space unless it is a deliberate design choice. One consistent CCT for general light, plus a slightly warmer accent, usually looks best.
Shop Window, Fitting Rooms and Checkout
Shop window: during the day the window competes with sunlight, so it needs two to five times more light than the store interior and strong accent beams. Use dimming or a timer to reduce levels at night.
Fitting rooms: light the customer from the front and sides, not only from above, to avoid hard shadows under the eyes. CRI 90+ and 3000–3500 K make skin tones look natural and help close the sale.
Checkout: 500 lux with low glare for staff working on screens and counting cash.
Glare, Dimming and Energy
Spotlights aimed at the wrong angle shine straight into customers’ eyes. Use luminaires with a deep recessed light source or anti-glare honeycomb louvres, and aim them at around 30° from vertical. Dimmable drivers and lighting scenes allow different moods for opening hours, promotions and cleaning time, and LED systems with presence or time control save significant energy compared with halogen and metal halide spotlights.
48V Magnetic Track Systems
Combine spots, linear modules and pendants on one slim rail. See all →
Ronika – Surface-Mounted Rotatable Track Light – 25W – 36° – Code RN02View ProductRonika – Surface mounted lighting – Rotating rail – 25 watts – 24 degrees – Code RN01View Product
Romina – Matte Cube Magnetic Light – Model RM13View Product
Romina – Linear Magnetic Light with Lens – Variable Angle – Model RM21View ProductOpening a New Store or Refreshing a Chain?
We design ambient, accent and window lighting for single shops and multi-branch retail chains, with a complete product list.
FAQ
What CRI is best for a retail store?
CRI 90 or higher, with R9 above 50 for red products such as meat, fruit and clothing.
How many lux does a clothing store need?
About 300–500 lux of general light, with product accents five to ten times brighter.
Track lighting or recessed downlights for a shop?
Use both: downlights for general light and adjustable track spotlights for products, because the track can follow layout changes.
Can Alton Ray design the lighting for my store?
Yes. Contact our team with your store plan for a free lighting design and product selection.