Lighting technology
meets design
Interview with Reinhard Vedder
Lighting designer Reinhard Vedder talks to us about retail
of the future. Triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and
booming online retail, he sees a willingness to change the
traditionally established and the courage to embrace new
design concepts.
The decisive factor for the store of the future is still
emotionalisation. Today more than ever, the retail space is
an area to experience new LED technologies as excellent
design options. Successful shops, whether the grocery
store around the corner or an established premium fashion
brand, offer a finely selected range of goods, services, and
experiences in spaces that are inviting to customers, and
which offer something special. Only a professional lighting
design’s psychological effect can make this effort truly
compelling.
This is where smart lighting control is showing its growing
significance. The days of turning the lights on in the morn-
ing and off in the evening are technically obsolete. Retail
is now all about lighting scenes to suit the space and the
occasion. Brightness and colours can change according to
season or time of day, which offers significant energy sav-
ings while shaping the customers’ experience. The classic
men’s department, for example, needs “infinite light, even
when planning with sophistication”, while colourful areas
such as women’s fashion can get by with a lower light
intensity. Large screens are effective elements routinely
integrated at VEDDER.LICHTMANAGEMENT; they are
valuable decorative elements and splendid “market stalls”,
adding sensual information and micro-experiences which
brick-and-mortar trade can consider a strength.
Reinhard Vedder is convinced that light is the most impor-
tant instrument for retail of the future. “A cool store design
is already a work of art. But perfect staging – creating
great spaces, a special mood and atmosphere – is some-
thing that only light can do.”
Reinhard Vedder
Lighting designer, VEDDER.LICHTMANAGEMENT
xal.com/retail
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