How retailers are responding to the cordless craze

Cordless lamps have been the one of the biggest innovations in the lighting category recently, an ideal blend of form and function. Are cordless lamps creating incremental sales? And which customer segments are embracing them?

We touched base with two lighting showrooms, both of whom are HAT Retail Stars, to get their take on the rechargeable lamp business. Here’s what they said:

“Customers want rechargeable lamps so they have the flexibility to move the light around and these add convenience when there isn’t a wall switch or outlet nearby. There are also special light bulbs now that can turn any lamp into a portable lamp, as those can be recharged.” — Carla Snowden, founder, Tidewater Lighting & Design, Old Saybrook, Conn.

“Portable and rechargeable lamps have become a growing category for us. They’re ideal for spaces where hardwiring isn’t practical or where flexibility is important. The customer segments embracing this category most enthusiastically are interior designers and design-conscious homeowners who appreciate both form and function. Homeowners love the versatility, especially for entertaining and seasonal use, and many are surprised by how elevated today’s cordless designs have become. The best portable lighting no longer feels like a compromise. It feels like a thoughtfully designed decorative object that happens to be cordless.” – Hailey Kleinberg, Director, Elements Lighting and Décor, Carle Place, N.Y.