Retail TouchPoints recently released a survey on maximizing store experiences. By the end of 2023 78% of retailers will have incorporated digital signage into their stores. 79% of retailers will be implementing QR codes or other digital touchpoints, and 66% will implement a version of a self service kiosk. What do these trends have in common? Connected Display technology.
Welcome to the new era of retail. A time where interactive touchscreens, digital signage, and even augmented reality are becoming the norm in brick-and-mortar stores. Darko is at the forefront of this revolution, innovating connected display programs, constantly improving customer experience and redefining the way we shop.
Embracing Digital Technology in Retail
Today, more brands & retailers are turning to connected retail displays to enhance customer experiences. The displays can monitor engagement, feature interactive content, push new content, perform updates, measure product demos, provide health and wellness checks, and more. It can be as simple as measuring impressions and engagement with no screens or buttons, all the way to a full blown interactive in-store experience with screens and physical demos. It's a win-win situation: customers gain a rich, personalized shopping experience, and brands & retailers see increased engagement and sales.
When discussing the implementation of connected displays, there are numerous factors to consider. Here are five key considerations:
1. Purpose and Functionality:
- Intended Use: What is the primary goal of the display? Is it for advertising, information dissemination, interactive user experiences, or some other purpose?
- Features: Does the display need touch capabilities, voice recognition, or other interactive features? Consider the functionalities that will best serve the intended use and audience.
2. Connectivity and Integration:
- Network Reliability: Ensure that the display has a stable and reliable connection, whether it's wired or wireless. Downtime or lag can severely impact user experience.
- Integration with Other Systems: How will the display integrate with other systems or platforms? For instance, if it's a retail setting, does it need to connect to an inventory system?
3. Content Management:
- Dynamic Content Updates: Consider how content will be updated. Will it be real-time, scheduled, or manual? What systems or platforms will be used to manage and push content?
- Interactivity: If the display is interactive, how will user interactions be managed and processed?
4. Security and Privacy:
- Data Protection: If the display collects or displays personal data, ensure that it's compliant with data protection regulations. Consider encryption and other security measures.
- Software Updates: Ensure that the display's software can be regularly updated to patch vulnerabilities and improve security.
5. Aesthetics and Placement:
- Visibility: The display should be placed in a location where it's easily visible to the intended audience. Consider factors like height, angle, and potential obstructions.
- Design: The design should be consistent with the brand or environment's aesthetics. This includes the physical design of the display and the visual content it presents.
What Features Should Be Included in a Connected Display Program?
Connected displays provide the ability to remotely monitor display activity and engagement in-store and deliver that data via an internet or mobile cloud connection.
The Basics:
- Monitor Shopper Engagement
- Monitor Display Health & Wellness
- Monitor & Update Remotely
Advanced sensors and technologies create so many possibilities for brands & retailers to improve and personalize the shopping experience. Connected displays can collect data on customer interactions, allowing retailers to analyze this information and derive valuable insights on customer preferences, dwell times, and engagement levels. This data can then be leveraged to optimize store layouts, product placements, and marketing strategies.
Optional & Future Features:
- Improve Customer Experience
- Push Updated Content
- Custom Dashboard Analytics
- AI Assisted Real-Time Content
- Seasonal Promotion
- Customer Accessible Merchandise
Insights for Display Programs that Include Connected Displays
With those considerations and planning in mind the next step is to plan how connected displays will impact customer experience. We have all seen a display gone wrong. The wrong theme, wrong display style, or tech that turns a great program into a missed opportunity. Our goal is that you get some clear ideas for how to make connected displays help and excite customers. Here are four key ways to enhance CX in-store with your next connected display program.
Tailoring the Shopping Experience with Personalized Marketing
Connected retail displays are more than just interactive billboards. They're smart systems, designed to offer personalized recommendations based on customer behavior. Every interaction offers data, providing valuable insights into consumer preferences and habits. Brands and retailers can leverage this data to create marketing strategies that hit the mark every time, boosting customer satisfaction and engagement.
Imagine a DTC or digitally native brand being able to use just in time information gathered from users of their websites in the local area to provide the right information when those customers walk in-store. Don’t forget the reverse can also be true, as those customers interact, data is collected that can be crucial to serving the right product online or it might even influence tailored regional sales programs. Our team of consultants can help unlock these experiences and introduce tailored shopping experiences for your brand.
Unlocking Customer Satisfaction Through Interactive Displays
Improved customer satisfaction is one of the many benefits of using connected retail displays. An engaging, interactive shopping experience not only increases the chance of a sale but also leaves a lasting impression.
Consumers like us are beginning to expect these interactions. Kids walking into McDonald’s prefer to do their own orders directly from the kiosk displays. People are more comfortable than ever to ask for product recommendations, and even enjoy interactive games and promotions like some restaurant chains are implementing at the table. It's a shopping experience that's both satisfying and memorable.
Gathering Valuable Insights with Connected Retail Displays
Connected retail displays aren't just about immediate sales – they're also about long-term growth. These smart systems track customer engagement, collecting crucial data about behaviors, preferences, and interactions. This wealth of information allows retailers to continually refine and improve their offerings, ensuring their stores stay exciting, relevant, and customer-focused.
Data driven retail is critical. The insights gained through consumer analytics available with retail displays are meant to be leveraged to improve your bottom line. After all, as much as connected display tech is consumer first, it has to pay for itself and more. The software that powers these experiences for your visitors will also power money saving decisions with the data collected.
Reimagining Retail Space with Innovative Design
The data collected by connected retail display programs can also guide the optimization of store layout and design. With an ecosystem of retail technology in place, retailers will know exacting performance information for their stores from layout to product placement.
Retailers can discover how customers navigate their stores, where they linger, and which displays capture their attention. Armed with this information, stores can be designed for maximum engagement and efficiency. Efficiency is a key opportunity that retailers need in today’s climate. How do we make stores more functional and efficient for our customers and employees? These are the kinds of questions that retailers need to answer and connected display programs can enable retailers to answer.
Staying Ahead of the Competition with Cutting-Edge Technology
In the rapidly evolving retail landscape, staying competitive means staying up-to-date. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more innovative and engaging connected retail displays. Retailers who embrace these technologies will not only provide a superior shopping experience but also stay a step ahead in the competitive market.
The future of retail lies in providing engaging, personalized, and satisfying shopping experiences. Connected retail displays offer this and more, revolutionizing how we shop and transforming the retail industry. As the future unfolds, it's clear that connected display manufacturers will continue to lead the way, shaping the retail spaces of tomorrow. Stay tuned, because the retail revolution is just getting started!
