With the continuous rise in Chinese consumer spending and profound shifts in home aesthetics, lighting has transcended simple illumination to become a key element in shaping a space's atmosphere and showcasing personal style. Against this backdrop, international high-end lighting brands are rapidly entering the Chinese market, and the imported lighting market is showing strong growth momentum.
The imported lighting market continues to expand.
In 2023, total lighting imports were projected to exceed 12 billion RMB, with a stable compound annual growth rate of around 12% over the past five years. Although growth in some categories slowed slightly in the first quarter of 2024 due to adjustments in the global supply chain, the high-end imported lighting market remains robust, with products from design powerhouses such as Italy, Denmark, and Germany particularly popular.
Among the sourcing regions for imported lighting, Europe, with its profound design heritage and superior craftsmanship, firmly holds a dominant position, with a market share exceeding 65%. Italy is renowned for its romantic, luxurious artistry and premium handcrafted crystal lighting, exemplified by brands like Flos, Artemide, and Murano Glass. Germany, on the other hand, has won the hearts of professional users with its sophisticated industrial design, cutting-edge optical technology (such as ERCO's precision lighting solutions), and uncompromising functionality (e.g., by the Zumtobel Group). Nordic countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Finland are exporting minimalist, organic modernist design, leading the world. Brands like Louis Poulsen, &Tradition, and Vibia are popular among the young middle class. American brands like Visual Comfort & Co. and Hubbardton Forge hold a significant position in the modern, industrial, and customized sectors.
By category, high-end decorative lighting (chandeliers, wall lamps, and table lamps) accounts for the largest share of import value, approximately 55%. Consumers are highly receptive to their design, materials (such as crystal, metal, and specialty glass), and brand premium. Professional commercial lighting (for museums, retail stores, and office precision lighting) accounts for approximately 30%, reflecting stringent requirements for optical performance and reliability. Smart lighting systems (such as Lutron and Signify's high-end smart lines) and outdoor high-end landscape/architectural lighting are growing rapidly, with their share increasing to 15%.
Driving Forces: Consumption Upgrade and Design Awakening
High-net-worth individuals and the emerging middle class, who pursue a quality lifestyle, are the core consumer groups for imported lighting. They generally possess a high level of education and a global perspective, and value the aesthetic expression and unique personality of their home environments. For them, lighting is a vital vehicle for enhancing quality of life and satisfying spiritual needs, rather than simply a functional commodity.
Interior designers and high-end home improvement companies are key drivers of this trend. Designers are highly sensitive to international design trends and proactively introduce imported lighting with artistic value and unique character, injecting soul into high-end projects. Simultaneously, the surge in content shared on home design and lighting ambiance on social media platforms (such as Xiaohongshu and Haohaozhu) continues to educate the market and stimulate consumer awareness and desire for "lighting design" and "designer lighting."
The appeal of imported lighting stems from multiple advantages:
Top-notch design and artistic value: Many products are created by internationally renowned designers, possessing collectible value and artistic beauty, creating visual focal points in any space.
Superior Craftsmanship and Premium Materials: European brands prioritize the integration of traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing, employing meticulously selected materials (such as Italian Murano glass, Austrian Swarovski crystal, and high-quality metals) and meticulous attention to detail.
Leading-Edge Optical Technology and Light Quality: German brands set industry benchmarks in light efficiency, color rendering (CRI >90 or even above 95), glare control, and precise light distribution, providing a healthy and comfortable, high-quality lighting environment.
Brand Culture and Status Symbolism: Owning a Flos Arco lamp or a Louis Poulsen PH lamp is more than just a lighting choice; it's a statement of commitment to design culture and a commitment to lifestyle.
Channel Transformation: Diversified Reach
High-end home furnishing stores and brand stores are at the core of the experience. For example, multi-stores like Design Republic, Cabana, and Home World in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, as well as independent showrooms for brands like Flos, Louis Poulsen, and Viabizzuno, offer immersive experiences and professional consulting services.
Professional lighting design studios and high-end interior design companies are becoming increasingly important channels. They directly recommend and purchase imported lighting fixtures for end-users and provide comprehensive lighting design solutions.
Cross-border e-commerce platforms (such as Tmall Global and JD Worldwide) have expanded access to entry-level and high-end products, but core products with high price points and a strong focus on experience still rely on offline channels or designer channels.
Trade shows (such as the Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (GILE) and Design Shanghai) are crucial platforms for brands to launch new products and connect with professional buyers (designers, distributors, and real estate developers)
Challenges and Trends
Price and consumer barriers remain major barriers. Imported lighting fixtures are significantly more expensive than domestic mid- to high-end products due to factors such as design value, production origin, international logistics, and tariffs. Prices of tens or even hundreds of thousands of yuan for a single item put some consumers out of reach.
The rise of domestic high-end brands is creating competitive pressure. Domestic brands such as Xidun Lighting (commercial sector), Qiyi Lighting, and Xinteli are continuously improving their design, craftsmanship, and technology, competing for market share with more cost-effective products and more flexible services.
Market education still needs to be deepened. Ordinary consumers lack understanding of the criteria for "good light" (such as color rendering, glare control, and scene adaptation), and their understanding of the value of design needs to be improved.
Future trends will exhibit the following characteristics:
Diversity in design styles will coexist: Minimalism, Organic Modern, Retro Revival, Industrial Chic, Art Deco, and other styles will each have their own fans, leading to more personalized consumer choices.
Material innovation and sustainability: The use of renewable materials (such as eco-friendly glass and bamboo) and recycled metals will increase, and brands will place greater emphasis on environmental responsibility and ethical production practices.
Deep Integration of Intelligence and Humanization: High-end lighting fixtures incorporate intelligent control (dimming, color temperature adjustment, and scene modes) as standard features, with a focus on integration with building management systems and healthy lighting concepts, providing a more convenient, comfortable, and healthy lighting experience.
Increasing Customization Demand: Top-tier clients are increasingly requesting customization in terms of size, material, finish, and even custom designs, putting a high test on brands' flexible production capabilities and service responsiveness.
The "Lighting Scene Solution" sales model is gaining popularity: The market is shifting from selling individual products to providing comprehensive lighting environment design and implementation services for entire spaces.
Industry Voices
The design director of a renowned Shanghai interior design firm admitted, "In high-end projects, lighting is the finishing touch that creates a space's atmosphere and drama. The sculptural quality of Italy's Flos, the precision of Germany's Zumtobel, and the gentle light and shadow of Denmark's Louis Poulsen—their unique charm remains difficult to fully replace with domestic lighting. Customers are willing to pay for this unique design language and impeccable light quality."
The owner of Shenzhen high-end lighting store "Light Trace" observed, "There's a clear trend toward younger buyers. Many customers in their 30s and 40s may simply purchase a classic imported designer table or floor lamp as a home 'collection' and a symbol of taste. They are deeply familiar with the brand's story and design philosophy."
The Deputy Secretary-General of the China Association of Lighting and Electrical Appliances stated, "The boom in imported high-end lighting reflects the deepening of consumption upgrades. To capture a larger share of the high-end market, local brands must continue to invest in original design, focus on core technologies (especially optical and intelligent technologies), and establish strong brand narratives, rather than relying solely on price-performance ratios."
Future Outlook
The potential of China's high-end home furnishing market is far from being fully realized. With the continued growth of household incomes, the widespread adoption of aesthetic education, and the enduring demand for improved living spaces, demand for artistic, unique, and high-quality international lighting will continue to grow strongly. To penetrate the Chinese market, imported lighting brands must maintain their design essence and superior quality while embracing localized marketing, deepening channel partnerships, optimizing supply chain efficiency, and actively responding to the aggressive competition from local brands.
The imported lighting market has evolved from a simple import of products to a deep dialogue about light, aesthetics, technology, and lifestyle. This dialogue will illuminate the future path of improved quality in Chinese homes and commercial spaces.