2023 Q2 Pulse of Lighting Survey Now Open, Lighting Insights

Take the 2023 Q2 Pulse of Lighting Survey

Springtime temperatures are rising which can only mean three things … Q2 is quickly coming to an end, summertime is around the corner, and it’s time for our 2023 Q2 Pulse of Lighting survey.

And we need your input by Monday, June 19^th (yes, the day after Father’s Day!)

Feedback from those we’ve talked to over the past month reveals that, after a “crazy” two years, the lighting market’s dynamics have reverted to a pre-Covid environment.

What does this mean?

• The market apparently has become much more competitive.
• Product availability is not an issue (unless there are operational issues and this would be company specific.)
• Price competitiveness is back … for stock material as well as projects.
• The large project market is “challenged.”
• There are small and medium-sized projects, however, the level of activity varies geographically.

At the same time,

• There are vertical markets that are still strong (or at least stronger than others) and funding from the IIJA and IRA that are driving opportunities for some.
• Much conversation regarding wireless controls
• And continued conversation regarding product innovation, with some being an expectation from all … and in some instances this has enabled distributors to reduce their inventories (think selectable and tunable products.)
• Some of the “majors” have become more adept in the white goods market, enabling them to take some share … but it varies by company and probably geographically.

And lighting “marketing” has changed. It’s,

• More digital, hence website investments are critical.
• It’s more cluttered, so companies need to invest in branding and creative marketing.
• Tradeshows are regional / local.
• LightFair was re-imagined, and probably needs to undergo this process regularly, … and may evolve into an event that showcases smaller / niche / vertically-focused and perhaps innovative (or creative) manufacturers.
• In-person is back, with agents / reps calling on influencers.
• More contractors are more active in the lighting business as more have evolved into design-build firms. Further, with inflation making more people cognizant of budget, there is increased focus on value engineering … at the contractor, manufacturer rep, and distributor level.

While not all of these obviously occurred solely in Q2, they mark a quickening evolution from the “go go” days of Covid. All seem to be very “busy” but the “busy” is a different “busy.” It’s no longer defined as “following up on supply chain issues (also known as “where is my order / when is it going to ship?”

With this as a backdrop, we really need 3 minutes, or less, of your time to share input on the Pulse of Lighting for your business in Q2 and your outlook for Q3. Your confidential participation, based upon your book of business or your company, is confidential. Respondents receive a free copy of the report.

And if you didn’t get the 2023 Q1 Pulse of Lighting results, here’s an overview and access to the report.