Digital signage plays a significant role in how brands effectively communicate. From menu boards to touchscreen ordering kiosks to large-scale video walls, digital signage offers many ways to engage customers, increase loyalty, and cultivate a better experience. The digital signage market is also growing, projected to top over $32 billion by 2023, according to Statista.
However, there are some emerging uses for digital signage technology that are surprising yet quite ingenious. Let’s look at some of these offbeat locations—and why they make a lot of sense.
Fitting Rooms
The new “smart” fitting room is a big trend because it increases the ease and quality of the shopping experience for customers. Bloomingdale’s, for example, recently added touchscreen tablets in their fitting rooms that are connected to the store’s inventory. This way, shoppers can see if there is a different size available before asking for help, which also makes employee’s jobs more efficient. The tablet also shares reviews of the item, which could influence a sale as consumers are putting more and more stock in online reviews. The tablet also makes suggestions on what would look good with what the shopper has chosen to try on.
Kohl’s has also tested a program that uses Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) to display items on a touchscreen that the shopper takes into the dressing room. It also displays other colors and/or sizes for each item available. If the consumer wants to try something new, they can communicate with employees via the tablet to get new sizes or options.
Spa Services
A national massage and spa services provider has recently introduced touchscreen tablets to increase engagement with clients. While it’s a very simple application, it’s also pretty smart. Clients can touch the parts of the body they want massaged and also request pressure. This lets guests feel in control of their service, while therapists get the chance to better understand a client’s expectations. It’s also much more convenient than completing paper forms before every service.
Post-massage, the therapist can leave feedback via the touchscreen for the guest about what they should do when they get home and when they should return. It’s a conversation that may not happen without the helping hand of technology.
Public Restrooms
One interesting spot where digital signage is becoming more prevalent is in public restrooms. You may find these screens in stalls, at the sink or at the entry/exit. If there is a line to use the facilities, especially at large events like concerts, sporting events, and theatres, advertisers are likely to have a captive audience, simply looking for something to focus on. For example, an entertainment venue may promote upcoming shows or show food menus. Besides their own ads, signage owners can work with other local brands to share their messages, too.
Elevators
Elevators are another location that may seem surprising for digital signage, yet this application has a lot of opportunity for engagement. Businesses have the chance to get undivided attention as smartphones often lose service in elevators, making people likely to look up from their screens to see small displays. This signage could have a variety of messages that vary depending on whether the elevator is residential or commercial.
Commercial elevators have the ability to promote multiple tenants within a building, like a restaurant’s lunch specials in the morning, while promoting happy hour or information about live music later in the day. In residential elevators, buildings could include internal messaging regarding how to dispose of trash or other community rules.
Digital signage in an elevator is also a great canvas for outside brands to connect with residents. One example would be for a local insurance company to promote renter’s insurance or business to provide information about services that urban residents may need, like dry cleaning, dog walking, and more.
Gyms
With digital signage, gyms are able to share information and promotions. Additionally, they sell space to partners or like-minded brands like natural food stores or an athletic store.
Combining digital signage with social media is another way to engage those working out and motivate members that haven’t been in lately. Gyms can include a hashtag on their screens, asking viewers to post pictures of their favorite workouts. With the large fitness trend on Instagram, this tactic has been successful.
Additionally, gyms are utilizing touchscreens in a functional capacity. Users can check-in at touchscreens or scan their cards to enter. When the touchscreen recognizes the member, personalized messaging may appear relating to their work-outs or upsell services like personal training.
Casino Tables
Every table within a casino has an identification card noting the game minimum or maximum bets. Like most tabletop signage, the majority of these cards are paper, and have to be changed out regularly. Some casinos, however, are now using small digital displays to provide this information. They are easier to read and can be changed depending on what game is offered at the table. A solution like this is used in the casinos of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, using our UM-1080CH-OF monitor to create a much cleaner way to designate tables.
No Place Too Unusual
It’s easy to see why the market for digital signage is continuing to grow exponentially as there’s a myriad of smart ways to capture consumer’s attention and engage outside the norm. Our touchscreen displays play a role in communicating key messages for hospitality, retailers, venues, buildings, and more. Learn more about what other surprising places you can and should put digital signage by checking out our solutions page.
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