Everything Stays Different: New Trends for Retail.
Good News: The Latest Trends for Retail.
Retail is change — a motto that's practically tradition in the industry. That idea isn’t new. But the trends shaping retail right now definitely are — and there’s no shortage of them.
A Forecast With Daniel Dobler, CTO at DMS.
Digital transformation has brought an entirely new dynamic to the point of sale. It’s enabling fresh business models and reshaping how we shop. Innovative solutions are increasingly becoming part of the customer journey. Digital Signage , gamification, endless aisle, and other tools are creating a whole new kind of in-store experience. But where is in-store technology headed? Which digital signage trends will matter in the coming years? Daniel Dobler, CTO at DMS, offers a look into what the future holds for the point of sale.
Online x Offline.
In the years ahead, digital signage will become increasingly integrated with online offerings. Interaction will take many forms. For example: a “virtual shelf” lets customers explore the store’s full product range right on-site. If a product isn’t available, the system sends the order directly to the shopper’s smartphone. The item can later be picked up using a mobile barcode from an in-store locker — keyword: vending — or even at another branch. Smartphones play a dual role here: they enable in-store authentication and also act as tools for pushing content and triggering interactions. Beacons, for example, can automatically send targeted information or offers to customers’ phones — but only while they’re in the store. This typically requires Bluetooth and a dedicated app.
Let's Get Interactive.
This trend goes far beyond classic touch and multi-touch displays. Sensor-based technology is taking the lead. A great example: Lift & Learn. Here, RFID or similar sensors are built directly into the product. When picked up or placed in a certain spot, the nearby Digital Signage screen shows detailed product information, side-by-side comparisons, or purchase options. It’s an intuitive way to dive deeper into the product — all triggered by a simple motion.
More K, More Power.
4K means four times the resolution of Full HD. With screen sizes of 65 inches and up, Full HD can appear pixelated — but 4K offers razor-sharp clarity. While 4K content creation has been possible for some time, playback and signal distribution were limiting factors. Media players couldn’t deliver 4K in top quality, and signal transmission from remote tech rooms posed challenges. Now, both issues have solid and affordable solutions. Expect 4K to become standard in digital signage in the near future — with 8K on the distant horizon, though for now, it's mostly in the prototype phase.
Smarter Insights With Analytics & Audience Measurement.
Digital Signage can now deliver real-time insights into viewer behavior. That includes questions like: How long is content being watched?
Modern systems can estimate age and gender, and they can measure key metrics such as customer flow in different areas or queue lengths at checkout. This leads to a stronger network of in-store sensors, offering a clearer understanding of customer behavior. The data is anonymized and, with proper safeguards, compliant with privacy regulations. Based on this data, Digital Signage Content can be dynamically adapted. For example: less foot traffic might trigger different messaging, or gender-specific Content could be shown depending on the current audience.
The Better Resolution.
Multi-screen walls are increasingly being replaced by LED solutions. Why? LEDs are catching up — and in many cases surpassing — in terms of resolution and cost-effectiveness. One major benefit: no visible bezels between screens, which allows for seamless, large-scale displays. LEDs were once mostly used for outdoor video walls (like public viewing) where lower resolution wasn’t a problem due to the viewing distance. But now, LED resolution has improved to a point where it works just as well in-store — even up close. Plus, LEDs are extremely bright — which makes them ideal for high-visibility areas like storefronts, where grabbing attention is everything.
These are just a few of the trends shaping retail now and in the near future — and of course, DMS will be right there at the forefront, continuously bringing you groundbreaking ideas and innovations. Because for us, that’s what modern talking is all about.
