CRI: Color Rendering Index, What does it mean? Why it's important?

In the middle of the last century, scientists reasoned that it would be useful to classify how well different types of illumination affected the perceived color of objects on which their light fell. It was thought that such categorization would help lighting engineers specify the type of lighting that would suit a given application. Therefore, the Color Rendering Index (CRI) was born. The index allows lighting manufacturers to target their products at different markets. In a photographer’s workroom illumination of a high CRI is important, whereas for street lighting, CRI is sacrificed for the sake of efficacy. LED manufacturers have embraced CRI in order to allow a direct comparison of their products with conventional lighting. The ability to compare light sources in this way is useful because it helps to convince consumers that solid-state lighting is a viable alternative for mainstream lighting. However, some have questioned the validity of CRI testing for white light LEDs formed from grouping red, green, and blue chips because consumers report the perception of color under such illumination is much more accurate than the low CRI would seem to suggest. This article defines CRI, explains how products are tested and classified, and takes a look at some contemporary white LEDs to see how they stack up against the conventional competition. 

Color Rendering Index or CRI is a measure of a light source's ability to show object colors "realistically" or "naturally" compared to a familiar reference source, either incandescent light or daylight. It is important specially in visual merchandising when highlighting particular product or set of merchandise.

A color rendering index (CRI) is a quantitative measure of the ability of a light source to reveal the colors of various objects faithfully in comparison with an ideal or natural light source.

As per investment by LED(Light Emitting Diode, USING ENERGY BAND GAP OF SEMICONDUTER) makers in the phosphors for white LEDs has resulted in CRIs for the upgrading of products reaching or more. RGB(RED,BLUE ,GREEN) white LEDs lag, but engineers have come up with a new way, they are currently assessing whether the current test-color method for calculating CRI, which was developed before white LEDs  It is alternative for lighting, truly reflects the color-rendering properties of  modern devices

http://www.digikey.com/en/articles/techzone/2013/oct/what-is-the-color-rendering-index-and-why-is-it-important

A quantitative measure of the ability of a LIGHT SOURCE to reveal the colors of objects in comparison with an IDEAL or NATURAL light source.

 It is important to ensure that artificial light renders colors of object accurately, such as factories and offices. Therefore, CRI works as a benchmarks to ensure this quality of lighting source.

measure of a light source color(CRI)

A color rendering index (CRI) is a quantitative measure of the ability of a light source to reveal the colors of various objects faithfully in comparison with an ideal or natural light source. Light sources with a high CRI are desirable in color-critical applications such as neonatal care, photography and cinematography.[1] It is defined by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) as follows:[2]

TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER LIGHTNING IN THE STORE IS A MUST, IT GIVES PERFECT COLOR HIGHLIGHTS AND BALANCING OF THE PRODUCTS, IT GIVES ALSO ATTRACTION TO THE CUSTOMER TO SELL OUT THE PRODUCTS EASILY.AND IT MAINTAIN THE GOOD AMBIANCE OF THE STORE.