Kiplinger (pronounced KIP-ling-er) is a Washington, D.C.-based publisher of business forecasts and personal finance advice, available in print, online, audio, video and software products. Their best-known publications are The Kiplinger Letter, a weekly business and economic forecasting periodical for people in management, and the monthly Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.
The February 2011 Kiplinger Letter gives evidence that the economy and business confidence is improving and fears that the weak recovery will lead to recession are subsiding. They discuss trends in retail including processing payments via smart phones and a big push in retail marketing from digital signage. Specifically:
“In-store marketing will get a makeover and a big push in coming months:
Retailers and consumer product makers want to spur more impulse buying.
Some tactics they’ll use: Solution-focused sampling stations that combine products from various departments and suppliers to provide whole meals or event needs … dips, cheese and other munchies plus wine and paper goods for a party, for example. Interactive digital screens, displaying more info on products … nutritional data on food or the features of an electronic device. Kiosks and shelf screens that produce coupons good that day only. And coupons that pop up on smart phones when shoppers walk in.
Smaller manufacturers. in particular. can benefit mightily from the attention.“
We see the trend clearly. The number of inquiries is up sharply. We are adding new customers weekly. Digital marketing menus for QSR stores, digital building directories, digital retail signage and systems for schools and medical office campuses are all up sharply from the same time last year. Businesses are starting to invest and there is a message in all of this new activity that Kiplinger accurately captured.
We call menus “marketing menus” because digital promotes impulse buying and can change anytime to tempt customers with your promotional offerings. Likewise digital signage in any venue, retail, theaters or schools is more than signage; it is a marketing tool. Considering signage you install today will last for many years, if you don’t consider digital you will be at a disadvantage if your competitors have these new tools.
Cost is no longer a barrier. We provide some of the best values in the industry so you have already discovered someone who can show you the benefits of digital signage at a price you definitely can afford. Call or write to discuss the potential benefits for your business.
