Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP recently had the opportunity to interview Narissa Grufferman, Vice President Channel Sales at Cooper Lighting Solutions, about developing trends in the lighting field, with several questions focusing specifically on the electrical distributor community.
DiLouie: With the LED revolution realizing its goals, the lighting industry appears to be reaching a new inflection point… What’s next for lighting as a category and an industry?
Grufferman: As LED becomes the norm, lighting is transitioning from a product-driven market to a solutions-driven one. The next era will be defined by integration, intelligence, and impact. Lighting is increasingly serving as infrastructure—supporting energy management, human-centric design, and smart building ecosystems. The future lies in how lighting can go beyond illumination to improve sustainability, connectivity, and occupant well-being.
DiLouie: What do you see as the top five trends in the marketplace shaping demand for commercial indoor lighting products?
Grufferman:
1. Decarbonization & ESG goals
2. IoT integration & connected systems
3. Design flexibility & aesthetics
4. Rapid lead times & stock availability
5. Serviceability & repair
DiLouie: What vertical markets are particularly strong for commercial indoor lighting products this year?
Grufferman: Healthcare, education, and industrial are seeing strong demand. These sectors require adaptable, high-performance lighting—whether it’s for surgical precision, classroom flexibility, or operational efficiency. We’re also seeing growth in mixed-use and adaptive reuse spaces, where lighting needs to serve multiple purposes seamlessly.
DiLouie: What are the top five technological trends in commercial indoor LED luminaires, shaped by capability and demand?
Grufferman:
1. Field-adjustable & modular luminaires
2. Embedded sensors for data collection
3. 3D printing for sustainable customization
4. Wireless control integration
5. Improved optics and beam control for visual comfort
DiLouie: What impact are these trends having on the state of lighting in 2025?
Grufferman: They’re transforming lighting from a static utility into a dynamic platform. Field-serviceable and adjustable fixtures reduce waste and streamline installs. Smart sensors are enabling spaces to become more efficient and responsive. And design innovation is closing the gap between performance and beauty, creating more human-centered environments.
DiLouie: As LED achieves a high degree of saturation… do you believe the lighting industry will return to embracing standardization?
Grufferman: There’s growing momentum toward serviceability and upgradeability, particularly as sustainability and lifecycle assessments become standard practice. While full standardization may not return in the way it once existed, interoperability and modularity are gaining traction, especially for specifiers and facility managers focused on long-term value.
DiLouie: How would you characterize demand for luminaires with onboard controls, and how do you see that category evolving in the future?
Grufferman: Demand is steadily rising, especially in retrofit and new construction projects where simplicity and scalability matter. Onboard controls reduce wiring complexity, speed up installs, and offer a path to future-ready infrastructure. As wireless protocols become more robust, we expect these solutions to become baseline in many applications.
DiLouie: What are the top five trends in lighting design in commercial buildings? What today is considered “quality lighting”?
Grufferman:
1. Human-centric and circadian lighting
2. Low-glare, high visual comfort solutions
3. Layered lighting for multifunctional spaces
4. Minimalist, architectural integration
5. Lighting that supports WELL and LEED certifications
DiLouie: How does the typical owner regard lighting today, and what opportunities exist for distributors to promote lighting options that save energy but provide a better luminous environment?
Grufferman: Owners are increasingly attuned to energy savings, but often undervalue the experiential side of lighting. This is a missed opportunity. Distributors can bridge the gap by reframing lighting as an investment in occupant experience and operational efficiency—not just a cost line item.
DiLouie: What can electrical distributors do to become more effective lighting sellers in their territories?
Grufferman:
• Stay ahead of product and control innovations
• Understand the full application, not just the specs
• Partner with specifiers and contractors earlier in the project
• Provide added value—like layout support or energy analysis
• Be a resource, not just a reseller
DiLouie: What can electrical distributors do to more effectively partner with manufacturers to develop lighting business?
Grufferman: Collaborate early. Share pipeline visibility. Co-develop targeted messaging or turnkey kits. Manufacturers benefit when distributors share end-user pain points, and in turn, can tailor solutions and support that strengthen the partnership.
DiLouie: If you could tell the entire electrical distribution industry just one thing about current trends in commercial indoor lighting, what would it be?
Grufferman: Lighting is no longer just a fixture—it’s a force multiplier. It’s enabling smarter, greener, more human-focused environments. The more we lean into that narrative, the more value we can bring to every project.
DiLouie: Is there anything else you’d like to add about this topic?
Grufferman: Lighting continues to evolve rapidly—but the fundamentals remain: performance, reliability, and trust. By staying curious, collaborative, and customer-focused, we can all help shape a future where lighting plays a more powerful role in the spaces we live and work in.
