XL now stands

for 'extra delicious'

The lighting plan for the store is, in many respects, particularly innovative compared to that of other supermarkets. This is mainly because different color temperatures are used, which Philips calls 'light recipes', in order to make all departments and different types of food stand out and look delicious.

Furthermore, all spots are dimmable thanks to the Dali protocol with Dynalite controls. Due to the absence of linear lighting, fresh produce departments and dry grocery shelves are given equal importance.

The entrance area, which has been transformed into a marketplace, makes the biggest impression. Local suppliers sell their goods behind various stalls. To create a real "outdoor market" atmosphere, beautiful cylindrical Philips Modular Flatmoon fixtures are fitted indoors and outdoors along the enormous glass facade. Selecon spots - which are normally used in the entertainment industry - project a leaf pattern onto the floor, as though the sun is shining through the trees. The lighting in the marketplace adjusts intuitively throughout the course of the day in three stages: in the daytime the intensity of the lighting is 100%, at dusk this dims to 60% and in the evening the light dims again to 30%. Thus, upon entry, the customer is guaranteed a unique experience at any time of day.

The outdoor feel is also maintained at the checkout area. Here, 300 mini Stealth outdoor fixtures ensure a pleasant daytime lighting experience, so that the transition outdoors is as comfortable as possible. Dijana Cicak, European Concept Director at Ahold says: "The shop is extremely warm and inviting, partly due to the lighting plan. Initial reactions from customers, trade media and supermarket experts have been very positive."