Did complete shop fit-out for clothing boutique opening in Riccarton mall. Owner wanted upscale feel with great lighting to showcase merchandise. We installed track lighting throughout with adjustable heads so they could highlight featured items, LED strip lighting in display niches and shelving, dedicated spotlight circuits for window displays programmable for different looks throughout day, proper lighting in fitting rooms - warm tone makes people look good in clothes, point of sale counter with multiple outlets for terminal and equipment, back room with commercial lighting and power for steamer and equipment, security lighting and alarm system wiring throughout. Installed lighting control system so staff could create different moods and highlight different areas. Store opened on time looking fantastic. Owner said lighting made huge difference - customers love how everything looks and sales exceeded projections first month.
Retail electrical is all about creating right environment while providing functionality. Good lighting sells products. Proper infrastructure supports operations. Getting electrical right makes retail space work.
Retail Lighting Design
Lighting is most important part of retail electrical.
General ambient lighting provides overall illumination. Usually LED panels or downlights spaced evenly. Creates comfortable shopping environment. Typical level 300-500 lux for general retail.
Accent lighting highlights merchandise. Track lights, spotlights, display lighting draw attention to products. Makes items look attractive and desirable. Key to selling.
Task lighting for specific areas. Checkout counter needs good light for transactions. Fitting rooms need flattering light. Back areas need bright work lighting.
Window display lighting creates curb appeal. Programmable lights in windows change throughout day. Bright during day to compete with sunlight, dramatic at night to attract passersby.
Color temperature matters for retail. Warm white (2700-3000K) for clothing and home goods makes colors rich. Cool white (4000-5000K) for electronics and hardware looks crisp and modern.
Dimming and control systems let retailers adjust ambiance. Brighter during morning, softer in evening. Different scenes for different times. Creates shopping experience.
Track Lighting Installation
Track lighting most versatile for retail.
Track mounted to ceiling runs power throughout space. Fixtures attach anywhere on track. Can move and adjust easily. Perfect for changing displays.
Circuit capacity matters. Standard track maybe 15 amps supporting multiple fixtures. We install enough circuits so each track has adequate power.
Track configuration follows merchandise layout. Parallel tracks down aisles. Perpendicular tracks across walls. Grid pattern for open floor plan.
Fixture selection affects appearance. Traditional track heads, pendant lights, spotlights all available. We coordinate with store designer.
Aiming and positioning done after fixtures installed. Adjust each light to highlight products. Takes time but makes huge difference.
Display Lighting
Product displays need special lighting attention.
Shelf lighting with LED strips. Mount under each shelf illuminating products below. Creates depth and makes products pop. Low voltage usually - 12V or 24V systems.
Cabinet and niche lighting. Interior lighting in display cabinets. LED strips or puck lights. Hardwired or plug-in depending on situation.
Spotlights for featured items. Adjustable spots highlight premium products. Create focal points drawing customer attention.
Backlighting for graphics and signage. LED panels behind translucent graphics. Even illumination makes signs visible and attractive.
Color changing LED for special effects. RGB strips create different moods. Good for seasonal displays or special promotions.
Point of Sale Electrical
Checkout area needs proper electrical infrastructure.
Multiple outlets at counter. POS terminal, scanner, receipt printer, card reader all need power. We install at least six outlets per checkout station.
Dedicated circuits prevent problems. Checkout shouldnt share power with store lighting. Separate circuit for reliability.
Data connectivity for POS. Internet connection required. We rough in for data cabling or WiFi access point.
Under counter power. Outlets under counter keep cords hidden. Looks professional and prevents trip hazards.
Cash register drawer power if needed. Some registers need 24V power. We install transformer and proper wiring.
Lighting at checkout area. Good light for transactions. Usually pendant or direct downlight. Makes counting money and checking cards easy.
Fitting Room Electrical
Fitting rooms need careful lighting consideration.
Flattering light crucial. Warm white LED with high color rendering. People look good which helps sales. Harsh fluorescent makes everyone look terrible.
Even illumination important. Light from front and sides eliminates shadows. Ceiling light plus wall sconces ideal.
Adequate light level. 500-750 lux typical for fitting rooms. Bright enough to see details without being harsh.
Separate switches for each room. Individual control means unoccupied rooms stay dark saving energy.
Outlets for customer use. Phone charging, hair styling tools. Convenient feature customers appreciate.
Back Room and Storage Electrical
Back areas need functional electrical.
Bright general lighting. LED high bays or panels. 500 lux minimum for work areas. Staff need to see what theyre doing.
Outlets throughout for equipment. Steamer, price gun charger, computer, printer. Multiple outlets prevent extension cord tangles.
Dedicated circuits for equipment. Commercial steamer might draw 15 amps. Washer and dryer if applicable need proper circuits.
Security system wiring. Back door contacts, motion sensors, alarm panel usually in back room.
Emergency lighting. Required by code. Battery backup lights for safe egress during power failure.
Three Phase Power for Retail
Larger retail spaces often have three phase.
Three phase distribution provides more capacity. Can run more loads on smaller service size. Common in commercial buildings.
Load balancing across phases. Distribute circuits evenly. Prevents voltage imbalance and maximizes capacity.
HVAC typically three phase. Commercial air conditioning runs on three phase power. More efficient for large systems.
Single phase loads from three phase service. Most retail equipment is single phase. We tap individual phases for single phase circuits.
Storefront and Window Display Electrical
Window displays drive foot traffic.
Dedicated window display circuits. Lights shouldnt depend on store lights. Can run window displays after store closes.
Timer or astronomical clock control. Windows light automatically at dusk, off at closing or after hours. Saves energy and ensures consistency.
Spotlights and accent lights. Highlight featured products. Adjustable fixtures allow changing displays.
Power for animated displays. Christmas displays, moving signs, video screens. Adequate capacity for creative displays.
Exterior building lighting. Facade lighting, sign lighting makes store visible at night. Separate circuits with photocell control.
Security System Integration
Retail security requires proper electrical.
Security camera power. Multiple cameras throughout store. We run power to each camera location. PoE cameras use data cable for power.
Door contacts and motion sensors. Wiring for alarm system. Contact on every exterior door, sensors in key areas.
Panic buttons at checkout. Silent alarm in case of robbery. Hardwired to alarm panel for reliability.
DVR or NVR equipment power. Security recording equipment in back room needs power and network connection.
Access control system if applicable. Electronic locks, card readers, exit buttons. We wire complete system.
Specialty Retail Considerations
Different retail types have specific needs.
Food retail needs refrigeration circuits. Display coolers, freezers, ice machines all need dedicated circuits. Considerable power draw.
Jewelry stores need excellent lighting and security. High color rendering lights, extensive security cameras, vault power if applicable.
Electronics stores need product demonstration power. Multiple outlets at display tables for testing products. Data connections for internet demos.
Furniture stores need room vignette lighting. Each room setting lit separately. Creates atmosphere and shows furniture in context.
Did electronics shop in Hornby where they wanted customers to test products. We installed power strips throughout floor with outlets every 2 meters plus data drops for internet connected devices. Customers could test anything in store.
Temporary and Seasonal Installations
Retail spaces change seasonally.
Infrastructure for changing displays. Extra circuits in display areas. Spare capacity for adding lights during holidays.
Floor outlets for center displays. Pop-up Christmas trees, promotional displays need power. Floor boxes provide convenient access.
Plug strips on dedicated circuits. Christmas lighting can be extensive. Dedicated circuits prevent overloading.
Outdoor seasonal displays. Christmas lights, animated displays outside. Weather resistant outlets and circuits. GFCI protection required.
Energy Efficiency
Retail electrical should be energy efficient.
LED lighting throughout. Lower power consumption, less heat, longer life. LED track heads use fraction of halogen power.
Occupancy sensors in back areas. Bathrooms, storage rooms lights turn off automatically. Simple energy savings.
Daylight harvesting near windows. Dim electric lights when natural light adequate. Reduces energy use significantly.
Scheduled lighting control. Lights on and off automatically with store hours. Prevents lights left on accidentally.
Energy monitoring. Power meters show consumption. Helps identify waste and track efficiency improvements.
Code Compliance for Retail
Retail electrical must meet commercial standards.
Emergency lighting required. Exits must stay lit during power failure. Battery backup emergency lights strategically placed.
Exit sign illumination mandatory. Green running man signs at all exits. Battery backup required.
Electrical safety standards. Commercial installations follow strict code requirements. Regular inspections ensure compliance.
Fire alarm integration. Retail spaces need fire alarm system. We coordinate electrical with alarm installation.
Accessibility requirements. Switches and controls at accessible heights. Emergency features accessible to all.
Working with Shop Fitters
Retail fit-outs require trade coordination.
Shop fitter provides layout. Shows fixture locations, display positions, counter placement. We design electrical around their plan.
Timing coordination essential. Electrical rough-in before fixtures installed. Final devices and lights after everything else in place.
Track location marked precisely. Shop fitter shows exact track positions. We install backing or mounting before ceiling finished.
Display lighting coordinated. Shop fitter builds displays, we provide power and lighting. Work together for integrated result.
Changes happen during installation. Floor plan adjustments require electrical modifications. We stay flexible and responsive.
Cost of Retail Electrical
Retail electrical varies widely by scope.
Small shop fit-out $8000-15000. Basic retail space 50-100 square meters. Standard lighting and power.
Medium retail installation $15000-35000. Full featured store 100-200 square meters. Good lighting design, proper infrastructure.
Large retail space $35000-70000+. Department store or large specialty shop. Extensive lighting, complex systems, multiple zones.
High-end boutique might be more. Premium lighting, sophisticated controls, special features. Maybe $100-200 per square meter.
Window displays $2000-5000. Dedicated circuits, quality spotlights, programmable control.
Factors affecting cost include ceiling height, lighting complexity, power requirements, control systems, security integration.