M. Jericho Banks PhD

Looking Smart: New Gen Digital Signage Raises Performance Bar

February 8, 2012

FROM RETAILWIRE:
Digital signage for retail, at least partially written off with the advent of smartphones and tablet computers, may be back in vogue with a few high tech twists. Do you think "smarter" kiosks and digital signage will have a big impact at retail in the near to medium term?      [more...]

This is great stuff, straight out of "Blade Runner." I hope it has a big impact because it's fun. It will require variety, of course, because we're used to lots of choices for our digital entertainment. The "pizza making game" will grow tired very quickly. The installations will require extensive regular maintenance, especially those that the public can touch.

All of the venues listed in Al's article -- depending on where the sampling kiosks will be located -- can benefit from this new technology. I excepted the sampling kiosks because they will probably be installed in supermarkets. Al didn't specifically reference the supermarket venue perhaps because three of the four programs listed did not, either. The unique issue in supermarkets vis-a-vis razzle-dazzle video displays is traffic congestion. Several shoppers with their carts ganged up in front of an entertaining video display can shut down whole aisles and restrict access to the stuff for sale.