Lighting Solutions for Every Corner of Petrol and Convenience Stores

Petrol stations and convenience stores are the refreshment stops for weary travelers and fuel stops for motorists. But beyond providing essentials, they’re destinations where customers expect a seamless and enjoyable experience. From the road customers see the station to the moment they pull into the forecourt, to the instant they step inside the store, lighting plays an important role in shaping their perception and overall satisfaction. A safe, welcoming, and comfortable lighting will encourage them to visit your petrol stations. And it also has the power to increase sales. So, how to achieve the right petrol and C-store lighting?

In this blog, we’ll guide you through effective solutions for every corner of your petroleum station and convenience stores, helping you create a safe, inviting, and ultimately, profitable environment.

Outdoor areas  

Did you know that customers establish their initial perception of your brand before they even reach your premises? You might think it's at the gas pump, but in reality, the first impression is made from the road. A well-lit parking lot and perimeter create a safe, welcoming, and visually appealing environment that draws customers in from the moment they see your site.

Adequate lighting is critical for these exterior areas to increase visibility and make customers feel secure. The lighting requirements for parking lots and perimeters are as follows:

Our outdoor lighting solutions can target the light intensity requirements while minimizing energy costs and improving visual comfort. For example, our streetlights brighten the parking lot and perimeter around the gas station, making it noticeable on the road. This not only enhances visibility but also provides a safe and inviting environment for potential customers.

Canopy/forecourt

Forecourts and canopies are the areas where customers refuel their vehicles. Bright, uniform, and glare-free lighting is essential to ensure the safety and visual comfort of customers. Gas station canopies typically require maintained horizontal illumination levels between 10-15 footcandles.

Canopy lights are a common lighting solution for these areas. They are generally attached to the ceiling via surface or recessed mounting. LED canopy lights have emerged as a superior option compared to traditional HID lights. LEDs provide efficient illumination for extended periods, minimizing costly downtime and excessive electricity bills.

For fueling areas, lighting distribution is crucial. Canopy lights with beam angles between 60-90 degrees focus the light downwards to illuminate fuel pumps, vehicles, and pillars. This focused lighting highlights the fuel pumps, allowing customers to concentrate on the fueling areas and reducing the risk of accidents.

Moreover, the light source should not be directly visible from common viewing angles or from a distance, minimizing glare and light trespass for customers. Comfortable, glare-free lighting provides a more enjoyable experience, making it more likely for customers to become repeat patrons.

Convenience store

Petrol stations today are more than just a place for refueling. Convenience stores have been involved to provide food, drinks, and other relevant goods. However, despite their ubiquity, the average convenience store generates only 1% of annual profits, while fuel sales account for nearly 15% of a gas station's total income. To maximize profitability, owners must focus on boosting in-store sales and minimizing operational costs.

Well-lit convenience stores are essential for attracting customers and encouraging purchases. Nobody wants to spend time in a store that looks dark, dingy, and dirty. Bright lighting not only creates a welcoming environment but also makes customer find their desired merchandise easier. Here are the recommended lighting intensities for convenience stores:

Moreover, lighting should be strategically designed to enhance the appearance and appeal of displayed products, thereby promoting sales. Clear and crisp illumination encourages customers to spend more. Lighting with a high CRI accurately represents the true colors of products, making them look fresh and attractive.

Dynamic lighting solutions that are human-centric, based on customer routing, circadian rhythms, and purchase behavior within the stores, have proven to be effective in boosting sales. In AGC dynamic lighting solutions, fixtures can be controlled individually or in groups by Tuya app on phone. Simple and quick to realize turn on/off the light, as well as the brightness and color temperature adjustment (tunable from 3000k to 5000k ). What is most important, multiple scenes can be set regularly according to your needs. Each scene can be set with different color temperature and brightness.

Car wash

Car washes are prevalent in petrol stations. The lighting fixtures in car washes are constantly exposed to water, detergents, and other corrosive substances during the cleaning process. This prolonged exposure to harsh elements increases the risk of failure and necessitates extensive maintenance. To enhance safety and reduce maintenance costs, tri-proof LED fixtures are highly recommended for use in car washes. These fixtures are designed to be waterproof, vapor-proof, and corrosion-resistant, ensuring their reliability and durability in the harsh car wash environment.

Some car washes aim to provide a dynamic and exciting experience for their customers through lighting. RGB/RGBW lighting fixtures, featuring high IP (Ingress Protection) ratings, are an excellent choice for this purpose. These fixtures offer a wide range of colorful lighting options, allowing car washes to create visually stunning and engaging environments for their customers.