How to use track and feature lighting in retail spaces
As electrical fit-out specialists working with clients nationwide, we help retailers create inviting, high-performing spaces that customers love to spend time in.
From flagship stores and boutiques to high street outlets and shopping centres, lighting is one of the most important elements in any retail fit-out. Obviously, it provides illumination, but it can also define your brand, enhance the atmosphere of your store and play a vital part in showcasing your products.
We install a wide range of retail lighting solutions including track lighting, feature lighting and energy-efficient LED systems to make shopping environments both functional and visually striking.
Two types of lighting present in pretty much every electrical store fit-out we undertake at the moment are track lighting and feature lighting. They can transform your retail premises by creating the perfect mix of functionality, flexibility, visual impact and energy efficiency.
Why lighting matters in retail spaces
Designing retail lighting in a thoughtful and strategic way can bring benefits for your brand and your premises. A well-designed lighting scheme can even influence how long shoppers hang around in your store. Poor lighting, on the other hand, can make even premium products look dull or unappealing.
Used well, lighting can:
• Direct attention to key products or promotional areas
• Create ambience that reflects the brand identity
• Encourage movement through the store layout
• Enhance colours and textures, helping products look their best
• Make a small space feel larger and more dynamic
What is track lighting?
Track lighting is a flexible system where individual spotlights (known as track heads) are mounted along a continuous track fixed to the ceiling. The lights can be moved, angled or replaced without major installation work.
This makes track lighting ideal for retailers who change displays frequently and want to keep their stores looking fresh and creative. It works brilliantly in fashion stores, art galleries and showrooms where product presentation and adaptability are key.
Track lighting provides a range of benefits for retailers, including:
• Flexibility: Easily reposition lights as layouts or promotions change.
• Precision: Focus light exactly where it’s needed, from shelving to window displays.
• Modern aesthetic: Sleek and minimal, complementing both contemporary and industrial design styles.
• Energy efficiency: Many systems now use LED fittings, reducing running costs and maintenance.
What is feature lighting?
Another type of illumination that goes beyond pure functionality, feature lighting (also known as accent or decorative lighting) is all about creating atmosphere and visual impact. It uses design-led fixtures or creative light effects to draw attention to focal points within your shop.
Feature lighting is particularly effective in hospitality and high-end retail environments, where the focus is on mood and brand identity. It could comprise:
• Pendant lights over display tables or counters
• LED strip lighting under shelves or along architectural details
• Wall washers (fixtures, often hidden, that produce a smooth, uniform wash of light to evenly illuminate an entire wall) to enhance the store’s ambience, highlight textures or signage, and make the space appear larger
• Statement fittings that act as design features in their own right
Combining track and feature lighting in retail
The most successful retail lighting schemes often blend the versatility of track lighting with the style of feature lighting. Adjustable, bright white track lights often illuminate the main product areas, while warmer, decorative feature lighting creates an inviting atmosphere near the entrance or fitting rooms. Statement pendants or colour-tuned LEDS work well for highlighting key seasonal displays.
Get in touch
Contact our team about track and feature lighting in retail stores, or to discuss a complete electrical fit-out. As well as being highly experienced in the design and installation of retail lighting, we will also ensure it meets the necessary standards and requirements for compliance and sustainability.