Convenience stores are reporting record increases in sales, thanks to a changing market landscape and access to proven sales-enhancing technology like digital signage.
During the first 6 months of 2023 alone, convenience store in-store sales had increased by 9.4% compared to the same period in 2022.
Convenience stores are successfully using digital advertising to improve customer experience, implement targeted sales tactics and respond to the increasing demand for self-service options.
Benefits of digital signage in convenience stores
Digital signage is proven to drive convenience and speed, two key elements of customer experience. Since it can be altered in an instant, digital signage opens the door to dramatically improved adaptability. Adaptive product promotion makes it possible for store owners to reduce waste, adjust to demand, respond to inventory challenges and increase margins, all thanks to focused, flexible in-store communication.
1. Food and beverage sales
As convenience stores report steadily increasing user interest in food-on-the-go options, stores that contain Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) and other related solutions could benefit from significant profits with the right digital signage approach.
Quick-service restaurants can display digital menu boards outside and inside physical store locations, so customers can easily see what’s on offer and make a choice. Providing customers with an enhanced menu increases operational efficiency, and also provides an opportunity for suggestive selling and promoting special offers.
Compelling content is key to upselling and cross-selling, in particular as it concerns beverage purchases. People who visit convenience stores may have a clear purchasing goal in mind, but this does not mean that they are unlikely or unwilling to change their order while they stand in line. In fact, over 40% of American consumers claim to have changed their purchases as a result of being exposed to digital signage while waiting in line.
2. Customer satisfaction
In the current era of personalized shopping experiences, customer engagement has become vital to successful retail operations. Digital signage offers an opportunity to stimulate interest and increase engagement with minimal output by staff and management.
Digital signage is reported to reduce the perceived wait time at checkouts by as much as 35%. In addition, retail firms using digital signage solutions have seen a 46% boost in customer satisfaction. Clearly, a well-implemented digital signage solution can have a major impact on customer satisfaction.
3. Direct in-store traffic
Convenience store owners can implement digital signage to motivate customers to enter store locations and, once inside, to direct traffic. Combine quality visual content and strategic sign location to encourage customers to frequent historically low-traffic areas and take an interest in products or offers that you want to promote.
4. Implement self-service options
Convenience store owners report that labour shortages are their biggest concern in the current business landscape. Digital signage is becoming a recognized solution for providing optimal customer service with minimal staff. Today’s consumers have become comfortable with different forms of self-service experiences, including BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick up In-Store) kiosks and QSR self-ordering kiosks.
In fact, according to a recent survey, 66% of shoppers preferred self-service and self-checkout to interacting with a human representative. Digital signage is now established as a dependable alternative to human-to-human interaction in retail.
Key areas for convenience store digital signage
Convenience stores can benefit most from implementing digital signage in three key areas:
Forecourt: Engage customers with vibrant colours, informative content and up-to-date promotions to create a dynamic and modern shopping environment. Here is a place to communicate fuel prices and highlight loyalty benefits. Remember that digital signage allows for real-time updates without waste, making it an excellent way to improve your convenience store’s sustainability score.
In-store: In-store digital displays have been shown to boost store sales by up to 30% and have long-term effects on customer satisfaction and loyalty. They can help consumers find products quickly.
Personalized promotions via digital signage can lead to better customer experiences and higher customer return rates thanks to dynamic and engaging content. For example, a social media wall allows retailers to display user-generated content alongside their own posts, enabling them to push promotions, encourage follows, and increase brand awareness.
Checkout: Digital signage helps in reducing perceived wait times at the checkout counter, leading to a more positive customer experience. It can also increase sales: Real-time promotion updates encourage impulse purchases, and clearly communicated offers can increase opportunities for cross-selling.
Future trends in convenience store digital signage
As retail continues to transform thanks to developments in AI, digital signage has become a fundamental tool for linking a variety of IoT solutions.
While no-one can predict the future, it is certain that technological solutions that enhance customer engagement, offer opportunities for customizing the purchasing experience and contribute to overall store efficiency and reduce environmental impact will remain a part of every retail outlet, including convenience stores.
JRTech is a trusted provider of digital signage solutions for retail
JRTech has a proven track record in providing retailers with high-performing digital tools. From state-of-the-art digital signage to cutting-edge Electronic Shelf Labels, our solutions are tested and trusted.
Whether you need to increase customer engagement, or you are looking for efficient and effective solutions to inventory management and in-store communication challenges, digital technology offers the means to facilitate change and boost profits in retail.
Contact us today to learn how this technology can help take your convenience store service and operations to the next level.
