Keep reading to learn what they are and let us know what you think.
(LED) lighting remains the largest area of opportunity for many wholesalers
Electrical wholesale is defined by its diversity – from the largest wholesalers who supply across electrical HVAC, vehicles and security, to specialist wholesalers who operate exclusively in areas such as cabling.
Among all of them, however, the largest area of interest (according to the readership of Electrical Wholesaler) is lighting.
Wholesalers may know just how important lighting is to their sales. What they might not know is that LED lighting holds a dominant share of 70% of all lighting solutions worldwide… which brings with it a need to control it.
With LED’s popularity only growing, so too will the demand for controls that fulfil different functions (such as dimming emergency or sensor lights) and which can dim ever more complex loads and grid systems.
Commercial projects will help wholesalers weather a difficult economic climate
Electrical wholesalers have been in the unique position of seeing customers affected by both a cost-of-living squeeze and significant pressure on the cost of doing business – which has affected buyers in both domestic and commercial markets.
However, where domestic buyers might not see lighting projects as immediately essential expenses, commercial and public sector projects - such as lighting offices and warehouses - are increasingly taking priority as part of business and local government energy security strategies in the long term.
Wholesalers who can supply for these projects will stand to gain the most.
With LED technology having a greater lifespan than ever before – with some fittings exceeding 50,000+ hours – commercial clients are choosing LED to save energy, reduce operating costs and meet regulatory demand for sustainability in the built environment.
That’s why wholesalers will also need to supply lighting controls designed for LED.
Those that can control LED in large-scale commercial contexts, such as dimming large loads from multiple points, will help electricians, architects and specifiers make previously expensive and complex projects much more achievable.
Lighting controls in commercial installations need to be able to provide flicker-free and silent dimming for LED, which is very difficult to achieve with the large loads and problematic drivers frequently involved. A remote dimming pack, such as the ZBARLED1000 (dims 0-1000W/VA), makes controlling these loads effortless. Wired in parallel, it can provide unparalleled lighting control in even the most demanding commercial environments.
Brand matters more to consumers than ever before
A March 2024 Trendforce Report on the LED lighting sector has also identified the growing importance of brand to buyers of LED.
As LED technology becomes more advanced, mature and widespread, consumers have a greater choice than ever in the LED fittings and dimmers they choose.
For wholesalers, this matters greatly. Many wholesalers we have spoken to, particularly independent wholesalers, put great stock in the quality of the fittings and lighting controls on their shelves.
For example, Jamie Scott of ELS told us:
“I had used Zano before, and knew it was a good product, but I was so reassured to know that we can stock a reliable, high-quality product that has been rigorously tested.”
It’s a simple matter: if an electrician or architect can rely on their product working without a need for a repeat visit to a wholesaler, it generates trust in both the brand and the wholesaler who supplied it.
Online Presence is essential… but what else matters to consumers?
We have spoken to many wholesalers about how they have been navigating a difficult market, and almost uniformly, they have spoken about the challenges they have with online competition.
As we have mentioned, consumer knowledge around LED has improved as the technology has matured. However, the internet has been pivotal in bringing LED to a mass market… and making customers more savvy.
Wholesalers have needed to adapt, particularly when customers can quote multiple prices for the products they want. That being said, wholesalers such as PEC Lights have turned their internet presence into an advantage:
“It took years to work out how to sell to customers and advertise effectively, but now, we use the internet to work with suppliers to know what to buy in bulk, so that we can sell it to customers at a cheaper price. We also use it to keep up with trends and tap into niche markets, so we can sell products that other wholesalers don’t.”
Nevertheless, wholesalers like PEC and their industry partners consistently reaffirm the fundamental value of service, stock and expertise at the trade counter: something the internet can’t replace.
Have you experienced some of these trends as a wholesaler? We regularly talk to wholesalers about why an LED future needs dedicated controls designed to dim LED, and we would love to hear your thoughts if your customers are asking for it.
Just get in touch with our team at sales@zanocontrols.co.uk or call 0345 519 5858
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