SPAR opens its first branches with a unified LED concept

SPAR was the first company to introduce and implement model projects that are environmentally friendly. They are open in the Austrian cities of Vienna, Murau, and the Swiss town of Wetzikon. For these supermarkets, Zumtobel prepared a lighting concept composed solely of LED fixtures. The main lighting uses the Tecton track system equipped with LED modules, which replace solutions with linear fluorescent lights. These LED fixtures were showcased at the Light + Building fair in 2010. The LED versions of the Tecton lines represent high lighting quality combined with an energy-efficient light source. Together with other innovations, a 50% energy saving and up to 80 tons of CO₂ reduction has been achieved.

As the first environmentally friendly supermarket, SPAR sets a benchmark in sustainability. With an area of 684 m², it is a great example of perfect climate protection, environmental architecture, and energy efficiency. The store is executed as a passive building and has received the ÖGNI gold certificate. Zumtobel's LED lighting solution allows for high efficiency, very good light quality, and a pleasant, soft light effect created for the specific products. Mr. Gerald Geiger, head of the construction/energy/technical department at SPAR’s headquarters in Salzburg, says: “Zumtobel’s innovative lighting meets all the aspects necessary for an attractive sales area: optimal lighting for our customers while maximizing energy savings for even greater climate and environmental protection.”

This is the first time the Tecton track system, used for the main lighting, has been equipped exclusively with LED fixtures. The advantage of this solution includes effective thermal management of the fixtures, which ensures long service intervals and significantly reduces maintenance costs. Additionally, LED sources without infrared and ultraviolet radiation are exceptionally considerate to the food sold, preventing their degradation. By meeting the requirements for vertical and horizontal lighting with the condition of high lighting quality, the Tecton track system meets all demands for uniformity and lighting efficiency in the environment. The visual appearance of the LED Tecton lines, with narrow lines of light uninterrupted by dark areas at the ends of conventional light sources, is also very impressive.

To illuminate shelves and goods, LED spotlights were placed in multifunctional units of the Tecton systems, resulting in a pleasant and uniform light solution appearance in the retail space. High-performance LED spotlights are an energy-saving solution compared to high-pressure discharge lamps. Furthermore, the cooling system integrated into the fixtures ensures up to 50,000 hours of maintenance-free operation while maintaining at least 70% luminous flux. Rotating fixtures then ensure flexible product illumination and highlight seasonal sales. Additionally, to enhance the pleasant atmosphere, LED fixtures with various supplementary color temperatures specific to different sections of the supermarket are used.

The checkout area is illuminated by square LED fixtures Careena. By placing them over individual spots, they also assist in orientation and emergency lighting. Downlights Panos Infinity are over 70% more efficient than similar fixtures with conventional sources. For the LED emergency and anti-panic lighting implemented using Resclite and Comsign II fixtures, the investor appreciates the low installed load. The new interior lighting concept, incorporated into the environmentally friendly supermarkets in Murau, Styria, and Vienna, is based solely on LED. Mr. Robert Lesiack, an electrical consultant at T Mayr Technical Consultants, says: “In these supermarkets, Zumtobel has achieved a great implementation of overall lighting based solely on LEDs with high lighting quality. In the future, there will be no lighting solutions without LEDs, as the potential of this technology is extraordinarily high and its capabilities continue to grow.” With a façade made of stone and wood, the supermarket, with its ÖGNI gold certificate, blends into the Murtal region. In contrast to Vienna, where the façade is illuminated by LED modules placed on the façade, providing an attractive lighting effect for the new supermarket even after sunset.