Lighting in Design Q3 2018

S koutellas, owner of SPAR stores in Bedford- view and Sunninghill, turned to a familiar team when upgrading the Blackheath SU- PERSPAR, doubling its size and incorporating a TOPS at SPAR liquor store.Tasked with the lighting was Flolite, which played an integral role in the re- vamp of the successful SUPERSPAR Bedfordview. “We have worked on more than 100 SPAR stores, and with George we had already worked on two of his other stores, so he is confident working with us; he knows our level of service and the end result. Consequently, we are familiar with retail and the standards expected by SPAR,” says Flolite’s John Dewet. Initially 250 m 2 , the store now comprises a ‘fresh’ department, which includes an extended range to the butchery, bakery, deli, gift shop and flower offering, along with a brand new coffee shop, while the newTOPS at SPAR boasts a 100 m 2 walk-in beer chiller. Having been involved in similar stores previ- ously, Dewet says that at the first site meeting they were asked to “do your magic”. He notes, “The client wanted the store to ‘stand out’ from a lighting perspective. Following our previous work on the flagship Bedfordview store three years ago, this project was required to surpass it, so we had to push the envelope that bit further”. Met with what can be described as a rundown and dingy store, Flolite increased the standard lux When George Skoutellas – known by many in the industry as ‘Mr SPAR’ – acquired the SUPERSPAR Blackheath in the northern suburbs of Gauteng, he embarked on an ambitious plan to renovate and expand a flailing store. Lighting leads to increased turnover at FMCG store

Photographer: Pierre Bassani

levels of 800 in retail aisles to 1100. “This was a little more challenging, but the end result is that the products ‘pop’ from the shelves and, along with the correct colour rendering index, provide a true reflection of their colours.” He says Flolite keeps track of trends in FMCG retail in the States, where thin LED strips are being placed on grocery shelves to further highlight items and studies show that sales can increase by 25% on highlighted products as they stand out for consumers. Specialised handmade fittings were installed for aesthetic value in the more ostentatious areas of the store. For instance, for the coffee shop area and the home meal replacement (HMR) section, a selection of brass and wire pendants with Edison bulbs add a more homely feel compared to the rest of the store. Elsewhere, over 150 54 W linear battens were installed in the recesses of the ceiling’s bulkheads, while lighting – although more functional – was also required for the back-of-house receiving and office areas. Despite a large glass shopfront, natural light didn’t play much into the mix as its penetration was less than 6 m into the store; here softer lighting with lower lux levels was used to create a more comfortable working environment for the cashiers. Overall, 170 linear highbays, 150 batten fittings, 80 downlights and over 100 track lights were installed in the two stores.

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LiD Q3 - 2018