With "teo", the "first digital and sustainable mini-market" according to the operator tegut..., the supermarket chain is taking a completely new approach. A scalable answer to the question of how bricks-and-mortar stores can move closer to their customers again – even in places where larger stores would not pay off. The concept has won several awards since it was launched in November 2020 on Lindenstrasse in the city of Fulda. Thanks to digital sales technology, teo is open around the clock and with more than 900 products on 50 square metres it is well stocked. Self-scanning checkouts and the specially developed "tegut… teo" app enable simple payment: teo is designed to meet the needs of today's society.

Modular and variable

BÄRO developed a comprehensive lighting concept for the prototype in Fulda and further teo sites comprising accentuating product lighting, indirect cove lighting and exterior lighting – like the entire concept with a focus on sustainability. The modular supporting structure made of domestically grown wood features a green planted roof and the transportable body can be erected in just a day. The staggered, variable product displays and the clear arrangement give customers a good and quick overview of all the products on display – aspects supported and emphasised by the lighting concept.

Light colours differentiate the room

Two tracks run parallel through the segmented interior. They carry white Ontero IC spotlights with a beam angle of 25° to accentuate the products. The main room is illuminated with the warm, colour-intensifying "PearlWhite" LED spectrum, while the separate, transparent walk-in cooler is illuminated by "BeColor", which also intensifies colours but has a cooler effect. The spotlights have a connected wattage of just 23W. They are supplemented by warm cove lighting above the wall shelving, coordinated with the wooden surfaces. As a final touch, when the store had been completed and fully stocked, BÄRO technicians carefully focused the spotlights. Services like this and the expertise they entail are not taken for granted and are highly valued by clients in the food retail industry.

Outlook: The future is networked

Projects such as EDEKA Ueltzhöfer and tegut...teo show how the right lighting literally makes new retail concepts visible and creates a truly sensory experience. Intelligently deployed, energy efficient LED technology makes an important contribution to sustainability. Furthermore, thanks to wireless interfaces, lighting systems are increasingly closely networked with digital building services and the merchandise management systems used in the retail industry. Systems where luminaires become part of the communication infrastructure in supermarkets and carriers of sensor technology have already been presented by BÄRO at trade fairs and are on the verge of a market breakthrough. They will enable complex scenarios to be realised with elements such as dashboards, heat maps, remote monitoring and predictive maintenance. This gives innovative retailers both the technology and the design tools to continue offering their customers an attractive and emotionally appealing shopping experience in retail stores in future.