The Future of Shopping: Why Interactive Retail Displays Are Essential

The 90s brought us the digital answering machine, Adobe Photoshop, and Beanie Babies. It also marked the introduction of digital signage, a term from a security guard at a UK shopping center in early 1992—no, seriously! The guard reportedly referred to the wall of security displays as “digital signage” because they were unsure of the proper terminology.

During the 1990s, TV displays were primarily used in sports bars to broadcast games, but between 1990 and 1995, we finally began to see large TVs being utilized as digital signs. Then, between 1995 and 2000, digital signage started appearing in theaters, airports, and high-tech malls, and poster space was replaced with video space.

Of course, it goes without saying that things have come a long way since then, mainly because what was once completely revolutionary when the idea was first introduced is now the norm in places like our favorite restaurants and local shopping malls.

There was a period when interactive retail displays defied convention by using straightforward video loops or motion sensors to trigger voice call-to-actions. Many of the interactive retail displays of today go even further with their unique visions to present and demonstrate products, building on the foundation of these elements.

They continue to improve. In fact, now many are interactive, and these interactive retail displays are changing how businesses market their products and bringing freshness to merchandizing.

Types of Interactive Retail Displays

Technology allows for data collection, and its inclusion of engaging elements thrills customers and promotes exploration.

There are numerous uses for interactive displays in retail. They can increase brand loyalty and profoundly educate shoppers, building a solid connection that keeps shoppers coming back for more. Let’s dive deeper into this!

Here are some specific uses for interactive digital signs in retail:

1. Touchscreen Kiosks and Panels

Kiosks have transformed our daily lives for decades. We use them to check bags for that Hawaiian Christmas trip we’ve been planning for months, pay for parking on a night out, and order that delicious Italian sub we’ve been craving. It’s easy to overlook that touch screens weren’t always mainstream.

To give customers a hands-on experience, some businesses have augmented retail displays with touch screens due to the technology’s widespread use and well-established status. Usages frequently involve continuous aisle shopping, finding out more product details, or personalizing goods.

Sam’s Club is a fantastic example of this. Their sample kiosk offers everything from tasty protein bars and vitamin gummies to air fresheners and laundry detergent pods. Simply scan your membership card, enter your email, watch a brief video, and presto! You now have a free sample.

2. Augmented Reality (AR) Mirrors

Augmented Reality (AR) mirrors are changing how interactive retail displays work and immersing visitors in a unique shopping experience.

These high-tech mirrors seamlessly blend the real and digital worlds, giving the shoppers an idea of how their products would look if purchased.

Customers can walk into a store and virtually try on clothing, accessories, and even makeup without physically putting them on. This way, AR mirrors enable customers to visualize their products and see how they will look on them in real-time.

What does it offer:

• Enhanced shopping experience
• Better decision-making processes, such as sizing and style
• Ability to make customization and proper product information
• An engaging and personalized customer interaction

Brands using AR mirrors include:

• Loreal: Industry leader in skin and hair products
• H&M: Leading the clothing industry
• Burberry: A strong competitor in the fashion industry
• Adidas: Leader in the footwear industry

3. Virtual Reality (VR) Experiences

Virtual Reality (VR) experiences in interactive retail displays give the business an edge that focuses on customer experience. For starters, it captivates shoppers and makes them want to take a closer look.

It gives customers a realistic sense of the product’s look and feel. VR-equipped interactive displays captivate the consumers and elevate the overall retail experience.

VR’s ability to virtually transport shoppers to another dimension helps them explore products and environments in unprecedented ways. Interactive retail displays that leverage VR technology were valued at USD 2.35 billion in 2022, with an expected CAGR of 28% from 2023 to 2030.

What does it offer:

• Provides shoppers with a unique shopping experience
• Helps them virtually interact and connect with the products
• Allows room for a better and more informed purchase decision
• Enhances customer engagement

VR applications in the retail industry

• Take a test drive and see if your dream car makes you feel special
• Select furniture or wall decor with the virtual representation of your home settings
• Let VR shopping assistants give you a real-time view of your selected products

4. Smart Shelves and RFID Technology

Smart shelves equipped with RFID tags bring a new level of intelligence to interactive retail displays. These shelves have static surfaces, with their USP or dynamic feature being their real-time ability to track inventory levels. By integrating RFID in interactive retail displays, you can elevate the shopping experience as customers get instant access to product information, availability, and pricing.

RFID technology in interactive displays helps retailers to:

• Monitor product movements on their shelves
• Plan and enable stock optimization
• Prevent retail theft
• Streamline restocking process

Smart shelves in interactive displays help shoppers to:

• Get complete product information without any human intervention
• Stay interested and piqued during the entire shopping experience
• Enjoy easy and meaningful product interactions
• Retrieve product insights, such as origins and reviews

5. Interactive Product Demonstrations

Interactive product demonstrations are breaking the way retail displays work! They are adding colors to the traditional shopping experience.

For example: Instead of having static displays of a car launch advertisement, interactive product demonstrations engage customers directly with the showcased car. This allows shoppers to explore and experience products hands-on and dynamically.

These demonstrations offer a deeper insight into the product’s features, functionalities, benefits, and use cases, allowing customers to make more informed decisions.

Tips for Implementing Interactive Displays in Retail

• Conducting a store audit and needs assessment
• Understanding customer demographics
• Choosing the right technology for your brand
• Incorporating interactive displays into store layouts
• Measuring and analyzing the success of interactive initiatives

Reasons Why Interactive Displays Are Essential for Your Store’s Success?

Interactive displays are essential for store success as they offer a dynamic shopping experience, insight into customer preferences, improved engagement, and influence customer behavior. Here’s how to make a difference:

1. Personalized Shopping Experience

A personalized shopping experience leverages customer data and product preferences to recommend tailor-made product suggestions. It bridges the gap between reality and virtual platforms and brings a hands-on feel to the shopping experience. The two factors that play an active role in personalized shopping experience are:

• Data-Driven Recommendations

This includes customer information, purchase history, and preferences directly affecting tailor-made product suggestions.

• Virtual Try-Ons and Fittings for Personalized Shopping

Virtual try-ons and fittings leverage the latest technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), to allow shoppers to see how their preferred product will look on them before deciding.

2. Improved Store Operations

Efficient store operations are essential for a seamless and successful retail environment. Improved store operation contributes to a more secure and organized retail experience and reduces the risks associated with cash handling. Two key components contributing to this are:

• Inventory Management

Advanced technologies, such as RFID and real-time tracking systems, can provide accurate inventory information, improving overall efficiency.

• Efficient Checkout and Payment

Modernized checkout processes, such as self-service kiosks and contactless payments, accelerate the transaction process. Retailers can improve customer satisfaction and streamline operations by reducing wait times and enhancing payment operations.

3. Data Collection and Analytics

Data collection and analytics can help enhance decision-making processes and shape business strategies. Two crucial factors affecting data analytics are:

• Gathering Customer Insights

Retailers use retail software solutions to gather insights into customer preferences, shopping behavior, and purchasing patterns. This information helps optimize inventory levels, design marketing plans, and provide exceptional shopping experience.

• Measuring ROI (Return on Investment)

ROI is a crucial component of the data-driven decision-making process. It allows retailers to understand the effects of their operational efforts and maximize their impact on investments.

4. The Power of Customer Engagement

Customer engagement attracts customers and drives brand loyalty and business success. Two contributing factors to success. Two contributing factors are:

• Visual Appeal

Various activities come under visual appeal, such as interactive retail displays, store layout designs, product placements, and a welcoming atmosphere. Visual appeal is essential to make or break a solid first impression.

• Interactive Product Discovery

This approach can allow shoppers to touch, feel, and experience products before purchasing them.

Measuring Success and ROI of Interactive Retail Displays

• Key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Collecting and analyzing customer feedback
• Calculating the return on investment (ROI)
• Continuous improvement and optimization

Shoot for the Moon with Interactive Retail Displays

In today’s fast-paced retail environment, companies are pushed to think creatively to capture their customers’ attention. To do this, they use various state-of-the-art tools and innovative techniques—from high-tech gadgets and interactive displays to powerful storytelling—that ensure shoppers have an unforgettable experience every time.

GE Lighting’s LED+ program, which uses an interactive retail display to highlight the many powers of its specialty bulbs at hardware stores, is a wonderful example of this.

The company released a case of smart LED bulbs mounted on shelving. Customers could operate the smart bulbs using a panel of buttons and observe how they behaved in various settings. GE Lighting has a selection of bulbs for any event, from impromptu dance parties to those summer lightning storms.

Customers can press buttons on the display to generate various scenarios.

In one demonstration, turning the knobs while holding them down causes a lamp with several mood-setting color selections to play music. In another, a lightbulb is shown changing from daytime to nighttime lighting. The light bulb turns on after the lightbox darkens to emphasize the battery backup feature.

When investing in an effective display program, think of innovative ways to present your products that will help educate customers on their features and functionalities. By creating powerful content alongside captivating visual displays, you can leave an unforgettable impression on shoppers while opening whole new worlds of product understanding.

Experience the Future of Interactive Displays

Retail displays are still developing, and cutting-edge technology is coming for businesses that want to challenge the status quo.

Even though augmented reality is nothing new, integrating technology into retail displays is still in its early stages. However, in the upcoming years, we’ll probably witness increased implementation. A future generation of shoppers won’t have any trouble pulling out their mobile devices for the in-store technology thanks to well-known AR apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok.

Major e-commerce sites use augmented reality to help customers envision products or décor in their online stores. That said, it should not be a shock when they start appearing in stores as valuable ways to highlight product features, advertise a promotion, or carry out other limitless opportunities. In addition, as businesses use the service to customize digital messaging and obtain real-time customer data, camera analytics will become more prevalent on shelves and displays.

Imagine a store display that adapts its branding and visuals based on the shopper’s demographics who approach it using artificial intelligence (AI). With video analytics, brands can determine what merchandise is attracting attention, what messaging is effective for various age groups, and much more. The information can assist brands in customizing other facets of their marketing, such as traditional advertising and relationships with brand ambassadors. In short, businesses wishing to study customer behavior can benefit from various data that in-store customers can contribute.

All retail displays, generally, are crucial parts of a successful marketing plan since they draw attention to a brand’s goods and cultivate a following of devoted customers. Interactive elements that both engage and inform customers can also help a company stand out from the crowd. Technology will be heavily involved in creating interactive retail displays of the future, which will offer a customized and informative experience.

Conclusion

There are a ton of advantages to using digital signage. It raises awareness of slow-moving goods before they expire. Rotating digital displays can draw buyers’ attention. Additionally, dynamic content can cause your profits to soar. Thanks to FTx Digital Signage, you won’t ever have to worry about missing out on enjoying these benefits. With the help of our digital signage solution, you can design captivating displays that entice and educate customers to shop. Additionally, you can set up and manage your in-store advertising in advance or in real-time.

Curious to learn more about what we offer? Call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists, who will guide you through a demo!