As a supermarket manager, how do you choose the right lighting for your refrigerated display cabinets?
Most managers focus on two key factors: brightness and power consumption. These factors directly affect how products are displayed, the refrigeration equipment’s overall energy consumption, and, most importantly, operating costs.
In addition, many managers pay attention to other lighting specifications, such as correlated color temperature (CCT) and color rendering index (CRI). A higher CRI helps products appear more vivid and true to their natural colors, which is particularly noticeable in fresh produce displays.
Choosing the right color temperature combined with a high CRI can give refrigerated displays a fresh, attractive appearance.
However, beyond these commonly considered lighting specifications, I noticed several other details that are equally important during an on-site store visit last week.
During our discussion with the supermarket project manager, we found that some of the lights had been in use for so long that their mounting brackets could no longer hold them securely. Some tubes were showing signs of coming loose from the shelves. Their worn appearance was also quite noticeable, and the light output had become very weak. In some cases, water droplets had even accumulated inside the tubes. For high-voltage lighting, this could pose a significant safety risk.
Another issue I noticed was related to the structure of the existing lighting system. The refrigerated cabinets were equipped with round, high-voltage LED tubes that extended beyond the lower edge of the shelves. These lights only directed illumination downward.
When products were placed too closely together on the shelves, the lighting was easily blocked, making it difficult to illuminate all the displayed products evenly. In addition, when viewing the cabinet directly, the light appeared somewhat glaring to the naked eye.
This is actually a common situation we encounter in many stores undergoing lighting upgrades. To address different requirements, Laidishine has developed various types of LED tubes to suit different refrigerated display cabinet designs. We have also completed numerous supermarket lighting retrofit projects, including a lighting upgrade project for Walmart.
As market demands continue to evolve, we keep improving and developing our products to meet changing application needs. Today, I’d like to introduce a product that I’ve been working with quite frequently recently: the LBS LED shelf light.
The LBS was originally developed in response to market demand for LED tubes that could replace Philips lighting products in compatible applications.
Yes, the LBS can be used as a replacement for compatible Philips tubes, but this is only one of its advantages. It also offers several thoughtful design features that make it stand out.
1. Integrated End-Cap Design with Recessed Connectors
At first glance, the LBS has a cylindrical tube-like profile. However, its lens is designed with two flat surfaces, allowing the light to fit neatly against refrigerated cabinet shelves and different mounting positions.
Unlike many conventional LED tubes, including other models in Laidishine’s range, the LBS has no external wires coming out of its end caps. Instead, its connectors are recessed into the end caps, giving the tube a more integrated appearance.
This design also offers a practical advantage during installation. When determining the available space for shelf lighting, customers do not need to account for additional space taken up by external wires. This helps maximize the usable shelf space for lighting and makes more efficient use of the available illumination area.
2. Three-in-One Design to Reduce the Number of SKUs
With lens technology incorporated into our LED tubes, installation direction is an important consideration. This is particularly true for tubes with external wire exits, where the correct installation position is usually fixed.
The LBS, however, offers three possible configurations with just one product model:
- Left and right vertical lights: When used as a vertical cabinet light, the LBS can be installed on either the left or right door frame. Since both ends feature recessed power connectors, the same tube can be turned upside down to suit the opposite side.
- Vertical center lighting: Two single-side LBS lights can also be arranged in the appropriate directions and secured with a specially designed mounting bracket to form a vertical center light: LBS-VC.
This versatile design allows one product model to serve three different lighting positions. Customers can reduce the number of SKUs they need to stock and simplify inventory management, while paying attention to the correct installation direction and using the appropriate mounting accessory.
3. Save Installation Time and Improve Efficiency
Both ends of the LBS tube feature identical connectors. This means that even if the tube is reversed during installation, the same connecting cable can still be used.
Installers only need to pay attention to the direction of the lens to ensure the light is oriented correctly. This simplifies the installation process, reduces unnecessary adjustments, and helps save time on site.
For more details about how installation direction affects lighting performance, you can also refer to our previous article: [Laidishine Refrigerator Lights Installation Brief Description].
More Than a Lighting Upgrade: A Smarter Solution for Refrigerated Displays
Choosing the right LED shelf light involves more than brightness, wattage, or color rendering. Installation space, light distribution, maintenance, and inventory management can also affect the overall efficiency of a refrigerated display lighting project.
With its integrated end-cap design, recessed connectors, and versatile three-in-one configuration, the LBS LED shelf light is designed to simplify installation, make better use of available shelf space, and help reduce the number of product types customers need to manage.
At Laidishine, we continue to develop refrigerated display lighting solutions based on real-world application needs. From LED shelf lights and vertical cabinet lighting to customized products and installation accessories, we help customers find suitable solutions for different cabinet structures and retail environments.
Looking to upgrade your supermarket refrigeration lighting or simplify your cabinet lighting inventory? Contact Laidishine to discuss a solution tailored to your project.
