Retail is a challenging landscape. Customer behaviours in an informationally overloaded world require marketers to constantly re-evaluate, understand patterns and – crucially – embrace technology.
One element that’s ripe for consideration is the use of digital signs for retailers.
Large department stores and shopping centres are a great example of such a medium. Huge displays showing video, images, alternating messages and more are commonplace. And while the giants of retail are (usually) well-versed in what tech is available, many smaller outlets don’t realise how advantageous they can be in more personal scenarios.
Plus, they’re far more affordable than you might think…
Digital signs engage customers
From enticing customers into your premises to highlighting products and offers, LED sign promotion can be utilised at every scale. For example, a small, interactive screen at the point of sale can be an effective upselling tool in the same way that a wall of screens displaying huge images. Consider adding touchscreens, QR codes or even gesture recognition and other AI tech to encourage maximum customer interaction.
Use digital signs to direct customer behaviour
The power of suggestion is taken one step further through personalised advertising. An example could be a touchscreen digital display where a customer can choose elements, such as colour, design, upgrades and more. This works well for items like cars, kitchens, bathrooms, clothing etc. It could even be used for ingredients to create tonight’s family meal!
Even if a user doesn’t purchase today, the act of stopping and engaging plants a conscious and subconscious link that might be recalled and be the catalyst for a future transaction.
Digital signs improve the customer experience
Customer interaction in the retail field is a careful balancing act of being on hand without being intrusive. While digital screens don’t replace human interaction, they can play a vital role.
By providing crucial information, store guidance, design options, cross-sales, upsells and more, a digital sign provides relevant data and removes the need to sacrifice a member of staff who might be better engaged in a different task. This can significantly help optimise a marketing budget, combining both digital and physical interactions to best suit customer requirements and tailor them towards your venue’s bespoke landscape.
Digital signs for brand awareness and improved visibility
Recognition of your brand is key to successful marketing. Using a digital screen as a brand awareness tool is a potent method of putting logos, colours and taglines in front of shoppers and potential purchasers. Use them in window displays, outside, at strategic in-store spots and combine these efforts with your online digital feed.
The gap between digital and physical marketing has dramatically reduced, thanks to the advance of AI and machine learning that can be embedded into both physical LED signs and online advertising.
Digital signs reduce advertising costs
While printed media still has its place, the ability to create, share, alter and display advertising campaigns with just a click or two is a savvy way to spend advertising dollars. Marketing content can easily be tailored to the location, venue and even the time of day.
For instance:
- Food outlets can show promotions for breakfast purchases early on, for cold drinks and ice creams when the sun is shining and then switch to evening meal choices later in the day.
- Clothing stores can easily switch between holiday attire to back-to-school uniform staples with a few taps on your connected device.
- Sudden heatwave? Promote outdoor leisure items, such as portable hot tubs, gardening equipment, paddling pools, fans… You get the picture.
- Embrace seasonal promotions, one-off sales, special offers and more – and beam them out to the world at exactly the time you choose. Remember, a digital retail sign works 24/7 – place it in a store window and it’ll continue to attract attention day and night.
Digital signs are energy efficient and environmentally sound
Today’s cutting-edge digital signs use significantly less energy than their predecessors – and a lot less than regular light sources. With smart features that have auto-brightness, allow you to schedule broadcast times and remove the need to reprint signs every time you want to change them, a digital sign helps create a sustainable advertising model.
The use of digital signs brings so many benefits to SMEs, as well as larger sales outlets. With both interior and exterior options, retailers can take full advantage of the dynamic and flexible advertising and customer engagement they offer.
iCatcher Digital Signs offers a huge range of digital signs to suit all needs and budgets. This includes options to purchase, finance or hire our curated range of single and double-sided LED signs.
Contact us today for a no-obligation chat.