The lighting industry remains broadly optimistic, as perceived by 735 exhibitors and buyers surveyed onsite during the 2025 HKTDC Hong Kong Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) as well as the Outdoor Tech Light Expo 2025.
Which Markets Will Be Promising?
In terms of the outlook for individual markets, optimism was particularly high in the case of many of the emerging economies. When asked to rate markets on a scale from ‘1’ (‘very unpromising’) to ‘5’ (‘very promising’), respondents saw India (3.9) as the most likely to grow over the next two years, followed by the ASEAN bloc (3.8) and the Middle East (3.7).
What Lighting Product Categories Will Present Strong Growth?
In terms of product categories with the highest growth potential, 29% of respondents saw residential lighting as the frontrunner, followed by LED lighting (27%) and smart lighting and solutions (including lighting devices controlled by WIFI or mobile apparatus) (25%).
Smart and Energy-Efficient Lighting Seen as Development Priority
In terms of the most promising areas for future industry development, respondents were most hopeful (45%) with regard to smart lighting systems focused on energy efficiency for residential, commercial, and industrial use. This was followed by residential lighting systems controllable via smartphone / tablet apps (29%) and commercial / industrial lighting systems with internet connectivity (24%).
How Digital Are Lighting Industry Players?
The survey also highlighted the growing importance of online sales channels for the lighting sector. In all, 51% of respondents were actively engaged in online sales activity (10% online‑only and 41% utilizing both online and offline channels), i.e., they go increasingly omnichannel.
Summary
Lighting traders were overall positive about the industry outlook. They believed smart lighting systems will have the most growth potential among various product categories, and considered emerging economies such as ASEAN and Middle East markets as their next target customers.
Explore Full Survey Findings
Access detailed insights, including respondent profiles, via:
Explore Lighting Industry Developments in Next Fair
Register for our upcoming Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) in April 2026 to gain first-hand insights into the global lights market, and meet with peers who share the same business objectives.
Click the following banner to reserve your spot:
Continue your sourcing journey on our e-Marketplace too:
Lighting Industry FAQ
1. What are smart lighting systems?
Smart lighting connects lighting controls to networks or smart home systems via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Users can control brightness, color, and schedules using apps, voice assistants, or sensors. It’s key to energy management and smart building design.
2. What are the common applications of lighting products?
- Residential: Ceiling lights, lamps, ambient fixtures
- Commercial: Office lighting, retail displays
- Industrial: Warehouses, manufacturing plants
- Outdoor: Streetlights, stadium lighting, landscape lighting
- Automotive: Headlamps, interior controls, signal systems
- Architectural: Decorative and façade illumination
3. What trends are shaping the lighting industry?
- ✅ LED and Solid-State Lighting (SSL) dominance
- 🌍 Sustainability & circular economy practices
- 📡 IoT integration for smart cities and smart homes
- 🌈 Human-centric lighting (HCL) — mimicking natural daylight to support well-being
- 🏙️ Urban lighting innovation (solar streetlights, adaptive roadway lighting)
- 🤖 AI & sensors for automated brightness and occupancy control
