Windward Insider Blog

Returns are a reality in retail, but for lighting businesses, they can be especially costly. From fragile fixtures damaged in transit to customers purchasing the wrong bulb size or color temperature, returns eat into margins and disrupt operations. Beyond the financial impact, frequent returns can erode customer trust and loyalty.

In the lighting industry, variety is everything. Customers want choice—different bulb types, wattages, finishes, and fixture styles—but for retailers and distributors, this variety translates into thousands of SKUs to manage. What feels like a strength on the showroom floor can quickly become a logistical nightmare behind the scenes. Without the right systems, inventory...

Walk into any lighting showroom and you’ll see more than just beautiful fixtures—you’ll see complexity. Behind every chandelier, pendant, and sconce is a web of SKUs, supplier logistics, and customer decisions that can stretch over weeks. For lighting retailers, managing all of this isn’t just a challenge—it’s a daily juggling act.

That’s where Windward System Five...

Running a lighting showroom is no small feat. Between dazzling displays, custom orders, and a warehouse full of back stock, staying organized can feel like juggling light bulbs—one wrong move, and something’s bound to drop. That’s where Windward System Five steps in as your showroom’s secret weapon.

In your lighting business, brilliance isn’t just about the fixtures—it’s about the financials. With thousands of SKUs, fluctuating supplier costs, and complex product bundles, even the most stunning showroom can struggle to keep margins in check. Missed price updates or overlooked freight charges can quietly chip away at your profits.

Consider the advantage of being able...

Running a lighting business comes with its unique set of challenges and opportunities. Whether you're managing inventory, keeping up with the latest trends, or making sure that your customers are satisfied, the demands can be overwhelming. Then layer on having to juggle supplier relationships and staying ahead of technological advancements, the responsibilities can seem...

Chances are you already rely on cloud computing to solve the challenges faced by running your business, whether you're firing off e-mails on the move or using a bunch of apps to help you manage your workload.

Cloud is fast becoming the new normal.

Lighting store software helps you keep track of more than just your fixtures and bulbs.

Whether it’s that collection of classic Tiffany table lamps or those sleek, modern "rustic" pendants, your lighting store showroom likely carries enough products that it could be seen from space.... 

A point-of-sale system, or POS, is a key part of any retail operation. It's the store system through which customers make their purchases and clerks ring up sales. In recent years, there's been a shift towards POS systems that are connected, meaning they connect your online, in-store, and backroom functions.