Exciting LED Breakthrough Sees Bulbs Used as Promotional Tools

Amazing new LED technology could be used to help businesses improve their sales, after one bookstore in San Francisco installed a brand new type of lighting solution. Green Apple Books in the US installed specially angled lighting that not only makes the entire space more appealing, but also uses Bluetooth and location information to send promotional messages and helpful tips to shoppers in store.

Sensors inside the lights transmit Bluetooth signals which are picked up by smartphones with the Bluetooth option enabled. The information sent between the phone and the light fitting tracks the customer’s movements and sends helpful information depending on where they are in the store. For example – a customer heading into the children’s book section might receive an offer straight to their phone for 10% off certain titles. Another customer browsing the non-fiction section might receive a list of recommended reads. The technology looks to pave the way for a new era of in-store advertising, and appears to be the new frontier in lighting solutions.

Steven Ellwood, Managing Director of BLT Direct, a UK lighting provider, says, “The developments in lighting technology nowadays are quite staggering. Consumers can now buy bulbs which can play music, connect to Wi-Fi networks, and even send promotional messages directly to mobile devices. The latest advancements will be very exciting for businesses, who will now be able to target customers as they wander around a retail outlet. The bulbs are also LED, which will lead to energy savings and eco-friendliness across the board – it’s a win-win for business owners!”

According to experts, the reason behind these developments in LED technology is the longevity of the bulb. LEDs last longer now than they ever have done before – they’re almost a permanent fixture in many businesses, and the rate of bulb replacement is significantly lower. It now makes financial sense for lighting providers to add extra features to their bulbs, as they’ll be installed and fixed in businesses for such a long period of time.

Some lighting developers are added sensors which can adjust the levels of brightness depending on various different factors. Motion sensors can detect whether there are any humans present, so the light can decide whether it needs to be lit, and other sensors can detect how much natural light is in the room, so they can supplement lighting levels and create the perfect ambiance.

There are still a few bugs to iron out, and the promotional messaging system is currently only available for Apple products. The future will hold greater compatibility with different devices, and even bigger scope for further promotional activity. The future certainly looks bright for the LED light bulb.