Retailers Integrate Lighting with Digital Store Systems
Major retailers are increasingly specifying lighting as part of integrated digital infrastructures. Kroger is rolling out digital smart screens to 500 stores to create a "hyper-connected" environment. Similarly, 7-Eleven is expanding its use of AiFi computer vision for checkout-free stores, indicating a trend toward data-rich, responsive retail spaces.
- Kroger's digital screen rollout is an expansion of a three-year pilot with the tech company Cooler Screens, which uses IoT-enabled smart screens on cooler doors and other surfaces to display ads and product information. The system integrates with Kroger's 84.51° data science platform to create a targeted in-store retail media network. - The integration of lighting and digital systems relies on robust data protocols, with DALI-2 emerging as a key standard for smart buildings. Its D4i extension is specifically designed for IoT integration, allowing sensors and other devices to connect directly to LED drivers and enabling features like energy consumption monitoring and predictive maintenance. - For computer vision systems like those used by 7-Eleven, controlled and consistent lighting is critical for accuracy. Proper illumination enhances the visibility of objects, mitigates shadows that can obscure details, and ensures that algorithms for tasks like object detection and checkout-free shopping can function reliably. - These intelligent retail environments create an opportunity to implement human-centric lighting, which focuses on supporting human circadian rhythms. Standards like the WELL Building Standard v2 use metrics such as Equivalent Melanopic Lux (EML) to specify lighting designs that enhance alertness during the day and promote better sleep at night. - The shift to intelligent, integrated systems aligns with a broader push for sustainability through circular economy principles in luminaire design. This approach emphasizes creating modular, repairable, and recyclable products to minimize waste and keep materials in use, moving away from a traditional "take-make-dispose" model. - The data gathered from IoT sensors embedded within lighting systems can inform more than just promotions; it allows for the optimization of building operations. Retailers can analyze foot traffic and dwell times to adjust HVAC and lighting for energy efficiency, optimize store layouts, and manage staffing levels. - Advanced smart lighting systems are increasingly using AI and automation to learn from occupant habits and environmental data. By integrating with sensors and building management systems, these platforms can automatically adjust brightness and color temperature to optimize the environment for energy efficiency, comfort, and productivity.
