Capturing customer attention is harder than ever especially for retail business owners. How can your retail space Indian retail businesses across India are under growing pressure to attract footfall and influence purchase decisions inside the store. Traditional signboards are no longer effective in keeping up with fast-changing product trends, customer preferences, and local promotions.
Digital screens in retail are solving this problem by offering a more practical and responsive way to display pricing, offers, product visuals, and interactive content.
According to Grand View Research, the India digital signage market generated ₹8,812 crore ( USD 1,061.2 million) in 2024 and is projected to reach ₹15,888 crore (USD 1,912.5 million) by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.3%.
Among all segments, video walls generated the highest revenue in 2024, showing increasing preference for large-format displays in retail environments.
This blog explains how retail digital screens work, what results to expect, where to use it, and how to make it profitable for your business.
If you’re a retail store owner, franchise manager, or business owner, you’ll find real solutions and examples here that apply directly to your store needs.
What Are Digital Screens in Retail?
Digital screens in retail refer to electronic displays used inside stores to show live content like pricing, promotions, product information, and visual branding. These screens are part of a signage system designed to simplify customer communication, update offers quickly, and maintain a uniform brand experience across store locations.
These retail signage displays are commonly used in malls, electronics stores, fashion outlets, or even QSR chains. Their presence is no longer limited to large-format advertising.
Store owners now use digital electronic screens to show live updates, customer messages, product videos, and more. There are several types of signage displays that businesses in India use depending on store size, product type, and customer flow:
LED Displays:
LED displays are placed near store entrances or high-visibility zones to show discounts, branding content, or festive promotions. They are known for their brightness and energy efficiency.
Interactive Kiosks:
Interactive kiosks are touch-enabled screens placed inside the store to let customers browse products, compare specifications, check availability, or even place orders without any staff support.
Video Walls:
Video walls are large-format displays created by combining multiple screens. Ideal for malls or high-footfall areas, they deliver high-impact visuals and are often used for branding or running ad campaigns.
Digital Menu Boards:
Digital menu boards are mostly used in restaurants, but recently they have made their way into retail. Businesses use them to display pricing, product list, combo offers, and product highlights, especially near billing counters.
Shelf-Edge Displays:
Small digital display screens placed on store racks or shelves. They show pricing, limited-time offers, and stock alerts right where customers are making purchase decisions.
Every signage display helps to improve visibility, reduce manual tasks, and offer a more organized way to guide customers through the retail buying process.
For a more detailed explanation of how digital display works across industries, visit our dedicated blog: What is Digital Signage?
Digital vs Traditional Signage: A Quick Comparison
Before getting into the benefits of digital screens, it’s important to understand how they are better than traditional signage solutions.
Top 5 Benefits of Digital Screens for Retailers in India
Retail stores across India are investing in screen based systems, not just for aesthetics, but for practical business results.
Retail stores in India adopting signage displays are experiencing the following key business outcomes:
1. Better In-store Customer Attention
Retail brands use display technology to show product videos, rotating discounts, or real-time messages. These displays attract attention without relying on staff assistance or printed banners.
Shoppers check the content displayed on display screens more frequently, especially when it includes live price drops, item highlights, or limited-time offers. Digital screens in retail stores keep customers focused on what matters, which increases the chances of a purchase.
Note: Retail Stores that place display screens near product zones or at the entry points notice higher engagement.
2. Quick Updates for Promotions & Launches
Store owners change prices, run offers, and promote new arrivals frequently. These visual display units make it easy to consider these changes and make it live without needing to reprint anything.
Retail businesses using signage in stores update their promotions across locations in real time. Using software like Acumen CMS, marketing teams push content updates in less than a minute. As per a recent ScienceDirect study, digital signage increased customer spending by nearly 22.5% when real-time product messages were used.
3. Improved In-Store Experience
Brands use interactive digital screens to help customers find what they need. These screens show product details, availability, or navigation support within the store.
Many brands also display tutorials, usage demos, or brand messages to assist buyers in making faster decisions. For example, eyewear stores use screens to let customers try products virtually, improving convenience. Digital displays improve experience quality and build brand trust, especially when customers want speed and clarity.
4. Lower Marketing Costs Over Time
Retail stores reduce their monthly printing and setup expenses by switching to signage screens. Once installed, digital screens work continuously without needing manual reprints or vendor coordination.
Instead of ordering new posters for each sale or campaign, teams just update the screen content through the CMS. This eliminates delays and errors in execution.
Stores save money, reduce repetitive tasks, and maintain consistent promotions across all outlets using this method.
5. Eco-Friendly and Modern Branding
Brands reduce paper waste by moving from printed materials to signage systems. They no longer rely on disposable posters, which helps lower the store’s environmental impact.
Customers notice and value these changes. Businesses that replace printed signs with digital signage displays align better with modern customer expectations for clean, tech-driven, and eco-conscious environments.
This approach also reduces clutter inside the store and makes promotional zones look more organized.If you’re planning to upgrade your in-store promotions or looking for ways to simplify content updates, digital signage systems offer measurable benefits.
This is why more Indian store owners are choosing smart display systems backed by reliable CMS software for day-to-day communication.
Real-World Use Cases of Digital Screens in Retail
Retailers in India are using digital displays in retail for more than just product visibility. They’re leveraging it to improve operations, simplify customer journeys, and increase footfall-to-purchase conversion. These use cases are now common across malls, retail chains, electronics outlets, fashion stores, and supermarkets.
Here are four high-utility ways store owners are applying these displays in retail stores to improve results:
1. Interactive Product Displays
Digital screens placed next to products offer detailed specifications, comparison options, or videos. This removes the need for customers to wait for store staff or ask repetitive questions.
For example, electronics stores place interactive digital screens next to appliances or devices. Customers can explore features, compare variants, and understand usage before making a purchase. This improves buying confidence and reduces decision delays.
Such interactive displays help customers make informed decisions without friction, especially in high-volume categories.
2. Dynamic Promotional Campaigns
Businesses use signage solutions to launch offers by time, product type, or location. Screens can run weekday offers, seasonal campaigns, or clearance announcements without needing printed material.
Fashion and accessory brands often highlight “New Arrivals” or “Only This Week” sections using digital signage screens. This creates urgency and helps move stock faster. Some retail stores also run Happy Hour screens where walk-ins receive live discounts during specific hours.
Retailers benefit from more responsive campaigns, faster offer rollouts, and better control over when and where the message appears.
3. Wayfinding Solutions for Large Retail Outlets
In bigger outlets or multi-level environments, customers benefit from wayfinding interactive digital guides that show directions to specific areas. These interactive displays show directions to sections, restrooms, billing counters, or collection areas.
These wayfinding displays improve the store experience but also reduces staff dependency for directions. Customers move faster, find what they need, and spend less time searching for help.
4. Social Media showcase Inside the Store
Modern brands display their brand’s latest social media posts or influencer mentions using in-store digital screens. This adds credibility and creates curiosity among walk-in customers.
Brands like ZARA, Nykaa, and NishHair show Instagram photos, customer reviews, or UGC (user-generated content) directly on digital displays. Customers stop, read, and often scan QR codes or follow the brand online.
Retailers increase both in-store and online engagement by linking digital displays with their live social feeds.
These use cases show that digital screens contribute directly to sales, visibility, and store efficiency.
If you want to improve store flow, promotions, or product visibility, these strategies provide a clear path forward
How to Integrate Digital Screens in Your Retail Store
The Indian market is adopting this visual display visual system to modernize their in-store communication. However, getting the setup right requires more than just mounting a screen. To get the full business value, you must plan screen usage, content management, and placement based on customer flow and product strategy.
Here are five clear steps to help integrate the signage system into your business.
1. Select the Right Hardware
Choose screen types based on store layout, visibility, and purpose. Use LED screens for branding and promotions in large areas or storefronts. Place interactive kiosks in zones where customers seek product information or want to self-browse.
Screen size and resolution should align with the viewing distance and the environment. This step ensures that your display investment delivers visibility and value from day one.
2. Build a Content Strategy
Decide what the in-store screens will show to your audience. You can display pricing updates, product benefits, seasonal offers, customer stories, or demo videos.
Refresh content regularly to avoid repetition. Match promotions with local trends, product launches, or regional events.
Your digital display content should always support product movement and brand consistency across locations.
3. Use a Reliable Digital Signage Software
A digital signage system needs a robust backend to work smoothly. Install a Content Management System (CMS) that helps you manage screen content across all outlets.
With a system like Acumen CMS, you can:
- Upload and organize content
- Control screen schedules remotely
- Access performance reports
- Sync live data through API integrations
Using the right CMS makes your signage system scalable and efficient.
4. Place Screens Strategically
Placement affects impact. Install digital screens in high-footfall areas such as entrances, billing counters, or near fast-moving SKUs.
Use ceiling mounts or shelf-integrated displays to guide customers through your product flow.
Some experimentation may be needed in the early days. If you’re unsure where to place displays for maximum response, our experts at Acumen can guide you with data-backed screen placement plans.
5. Train Your Store Staff to Use the Screens
Invest time in training your in-store teams. Staff should know how to operate the signage and CMS, to update content, and troubleshoot basic screen issues.
When staff understands how screens work, they can align daily operations with display objectives. This reduces dependency on external help and improves in-store responsiveness.
Common Challenges in Using Digital Screens for Retail Stores
While many retail businesses benefit from using electronic signages, some challenges may appear during implementation or daily operations. Being aware of these issues helps businesses plan better and use it more efficiently.
Below are three common concerns store owners often face:
1. Higher Initial Setup Costs
Retailers often hesitate to adopt signage displays due to upfront investment. The cost of displays, installation, power setup, and CMS integration may feel high, especially for smaller stores or temporary setups.
However, the value builds over time. Unlike printed materials, digital displays require fewer recurring expenses. Owners planning for long-term growth often recover this cost through increased efficiency and reduced manual work.
2. Staff Training and Resource Planning
Staff teams need time to learn how to manage the signage system. This includes training on the CMS, understanding content schedules, and knowing how to troubleshoot minor issues.
Some stores face delays or errors when team members are not trained properly. Choosing a user-friendly CMS like Acumen CMS helps reduce the learning curve and simplifies day-to-day management.
Retail owners should include training as part of their rollout plan to get consistent results from the system.
3. Technical Maintenance and Downtime Risks
It is important to maintain the screens and supporting software in store. Issues like power failures, software bugs, or hardware faults can disrupt in-store content.
Downtime may affect customer experience, especially if key promotions or directions are shown on the screens.
To manage this, store owners must plan for routine maintenance, software updates, and reliable technical support. Retailers who schedule periodic system checks and have access to responsive support teams are better prepared to handle interruptions and keep their digital screen in stores fully functional.
Success Story: Retailer Who Nailed It
Continental Coffee, one of India’s largest retailers, was established in 1995 by Challa Rajendra Prasad. It has leveraged digital screens to positively transform the in-store experience for its customers.
Its screens offer a premium experience to its customers to explore its products. This has not only enhanced customer satisfaction but also boosted its revenue significantly.
(Source – Statista)
Continental Coffee’s use of digital screens positions the brand as progressive, hence memorable to its customers, and, above all, improves their experience within the stores.
This achievement underscores how digital signage can revamp retail engagement and drive measurable business results.
Also reads
Acumen: Start Your Journey with Digital Screens
If you also want to boost customer engagement and increase your revenue with digital screens then look no further than Acumen CMS.
Acumen has already installed more than 33,000 screens across 24 cities in India, catching the attention of 10 million people every day.
We specialize in tailored retail digital signage solutions that suit businesses of all sizes. From hardware selection to content management, we’ve got you covered.
Contact us today for a free consultation or demo.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Digital signage in retail refers to using electronic screens to deliver engaging visuals, real-time updates, and interactive content to attract customers and enhance their shopping experience.
Digital screens display dynamic content, showcase promotions, provide product information, enhance customer experiences, collect feedback, and improve in-store navigation with interactive features.
Digital screens boost customer engagement, enable real-time updates, enhance in-store experiences, reduce operational costs, and align with eco-friendly practices, making them a valuable retail tool.
Dynamic visuals and interactive content naturally attract attention, keeping customers engaged longer and encouraging exploration, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates and better brand connections.
