ALE luminaires from RIDI Lighting Ltd are putting the sparkle into shopping at the groundbreaking Sainsbury’s store in Hazel Grove, Stockport.

A completely new retail experience, the cutting-edge Hazel Grove store was conceived when Sainsbury’s customers were asked to come up with design ideas for their ideal shopping destination. Now opened to wide acclaim, the store is a fusion of the latest retail technology and good old-fashioned customer service. The futuristic ambience is heightened by the building architecture; an open metal ceiling with exposed ductwork gives the shopping environment a vibrant and lively atmosphere. This theme is carried over to the lighting, where RIDI’s titanium-finish ALE luminaires are installed wire-suspended throughout the store.

For Epsom-based Longcross, building services engineers for the project, satisfying the lighting brief meant creating a scheme that could complement the striking architectural and interior design elements, whilst providing controlled light distribution and efficient performance. In addition, the huge 34,000ft² floor area demanded an easy-to-install and reliable luminaire.

Jason Crowley of Longcross explains: “The ALE was the ideal luminaire for the scheme. Unusually for a supermarket, the height of the ceiling allowed us to use a suspended solution. RIDI’s ALE seemed the obvious choice of luminaire as it needed fewer suspension wires than comparative products. Not only did this make it easy to install, but it looks the part: its titanium-grey finish blends perfectly with the metallic-themed interior. “

Positioned to achieve optimum light levels, over 300 ALE luminaires have been installed in continuous runs above the shopping aisles. The ALE is fitted with a specular parabolic louvre that helps ensure a comfortable level of illumination that enhances the Hazel Grove shopping experience.

ALE is a direct/indirect distribution luminaire that creates a bright, welcoming environment. The range can be surface-mounted or suspended, both individually and in continuous runs. For continuous mounting, an aligning and clamping mechanism is used to interconnect two or more luminaires, without additional connectors such as screws.

The attractive ALE range is distinguished by its exceptionally low-profile housing which allows it to blend harmoniously with a wide variety of interior design schemes. Supplied complete with integral high-frequency control gear, the range also has the option of a 3-hour integral emergency facility. The ALE range is supplied in two standard colours, with any RAL colour available to special order.