Shopping mall digital signage software is changing the way people experience the mall. Not long ago, mall screens only showed maps or store directories. Now, they share promotions and deals, interactive maps, and entertainment.
You see these bright displays everywhere, from mall entrances to food courts. They help shoppers find stores, discover new shops, and stay updated on the latest events. With the right digital signage, a mall visit is smoother, more enjoyable, and more exciting.
Main Takeaways
- Digital signs in malls help people find stores, see deals, and enjoy their visit more.
- Screens work best in busy spots, such as entrances, food courts, and main hallways.
- The best content is a mix of maps, store sales, event updates, and fun extras like trivia or news.
- Use a variety of screen types, like touch kiosks, video walls, or hands-free displays, for different messages.
- OptiSigns helps mall staff easily update messages on all screens at once.
Key Benefits of Shopping Mall Digital Signage
Digital signage in malls changes the way people shop. Instead of wasteful paper posters or outdated maps, screens always show current information. This includes:
- Easier directions: Digital maps and signs help people find stores, bathrooms, and food.
- Increased sales: Real-time ads show sales and new products, encouraging more purchases.
- More interest: Bright, moving screens grab attention and encourage shoppers to stay longer.
- Fast updates: If there’s an emergency or change, malls can send messages to every screen at the same time.
- Extra money: Malls can sell space on their screens to stores or brands that want to get noticed.
In 2024, Grand View Research found that nearly 70% of digital signage revenue came from in-store displays. This makes malls one of the best places to use digital signs.
Best Uses and Applications for Shopping Malls
Digital signs in malls help people find their way, see deals, and have more fun while they shop. They also:
Enhance Wayfinding and Navigation
Maps and screens near doors, food courts, and hallways guide people to stores. They update when a store closes, a new one opens, or if there’s a special event like a concert or holiday market.
These signs make it easier for people to move through the mall without getting confused. Color-coded paths, arrows, and simple landmarks make them easy to follow.
Show Sales and Special Deals
Screens can share special deals, new products, and holiday sales. Put them in busy spots where visitors stop and look around. This includes escalators, main courts, and near entrances. Attract attention with countdown timers, bright pictures, and QR codes for quick discounts.
According to a 2024 study reported in the Journal of Retailing, digital promotions on screens encourage buying, even if the product is not right next to the sign. More people stop to look, enter stores, and buy on impulse.
Improve Food Court Experiences
Screens in the food court can be used as menu boards. They show what food is sold, its price, and even pictures of the meals.
Screens can display the wait times at popular food stands. They can show which seating areas are available by using colors, like green for open and red for full. Screens can also change with the time of day. For example, morning coffee specials, lunch combo meals, and evening family dinner deals.
Share Community News
Digital signs can share local events, school plays, charity drives, or holiday parades. They can even have countdown timers showing how many days are left until the event. QR codes help people add the event to their phone calendars right away.
Malls can also give screen space to charities, which can use them to find volunteers or share news.
Engage Shoppers With Entertainment and Experiences
Digital signs don’t just share sales—they can be fun, too. Screens can show trivia questions and fun facts. They can even display social media walls from shoppers who use a specific hashtag.
Malls can also use screens to promote live music, pop-up shops, or seasonal attractions. Signs can show real-time numbers, like how many spots are left for an event.
Support Safety and Emergency Communications
Digital signs can also keep people safe. If there’s an emergency, the screens can be immediately updated to show clear next steps. They can tell people where to go, which doors to use, and where safe spots are. The signs can also change to new directions if a hallway is blocked or too crowded.
Setting Up Shopping Mall Digital Signage
Putting digital signs in a mall takes planning. You need the right screens, in the right spots, with the right tools to keep them running smoothly. Here’s how to set it up:
1. Choose the Right Screens and Hardware
There are options to fit every need:
- Big video walls light up entrances or event areas.
- Kiosks let shoppers search for stores or check promotions.
- Standard wall screens work well for daily updates and maps.
- Touch-free screens use sensors or QR codes for hands-free shopping.
A screen in a bright atrium needs higher contrast than one in a hallway to be visible. And longer-lasting, strong hardware makes the mall look more professional.
Specialized digital signage hardware is available to make this process easy, from pre-setup kiosks to devices that can transform any screen into a sign.
2. Plan Screen Placement
Place screens at mall entrances, food courts, elevators, and busy hallways. Think about how people walk, where they pause, and what they need to know in that spot.
For example, a big map right at the front door helps new visitors. A screen in the food court can show dining deals. By planning this way, you give shoppers useful help exactly when they need it.
3. Select a Content Management System (CMS)
Look for a CMS that’s easy to use, with templates, scheduling, and analytics. This lets you update content from one place instead of manually changing each screen.
OptiSigns gives malls one dashboard that controls everything. You can add new ads, adjust schedules or playlists, or change maps across all screens.
4. Define Roles and Workflows
When jobs are clear, old content won’t stay up too long, and mistakes won’t slip through. Screens look fresh, with correct information, and shoppers see updates they can trust.
5. Ensure Connectivity and Infrastructure
Plan for Wi-Fi or wired internet connections across the mall. If the internet is weak, screens can go blank or show the wrong message, which confuses shoppers.
The mall IT team can ensure the network can handle dozens of screens without slowing down.
6. Keep Content Relevant and Timely
Shoppers stop looking when messages don’t change. Update promotions daily or weekly so people don’t get bored.
Rotate content for:
- Back-to-school shopping
- Holiday sales like Christmas or Black Friday
- Local community events
You can also change by time of day:
- Morning: Show coffee or breakfast deals
- Lunch: Switch to restaurant specials
- Evening: Promote movies, events, or family activities
Content Strategies and Ideas for Shopper Engagement
Retail stores with digital signage see about a 24% jump in foot traffic, as reported by Market.us Scoop. Many of them also reported sales gains of up to 33%. But the real value comes from what’s on them. Here’s how to keep people engaged with shopping mall digital signage:
1. Balance Promotional and Informational Content
If mall screens only show ads, people will stop paying attention. Shoppers don’t like feeling like they are only being sold to.
Mix helpful information with promotions. A good mix is about 70% helpful content and 30% ads or sales.
Here are some examples:
- Maps and directions: Where stores are, where the food court is, or where to park
- Helpful info: Mall hours, event times, or the day’s weather
- Promotions: Sales, retail store openings, or holiday specials
- Entertainment: Trivia questions, local news, or a social media feed
When shoppers enjoy the content, they are more likely to return and spend more time in the mall.
2. Design for Quick Reading
Screens in malls are often viewed while people are walking. Content must be simple and easy to read at a glance.
Follow these design tips:
- Use big, clear fonts that can be read from at least 10 feet away.
- Stick to high-contrast colors so words stand out against the background.
- Keep text short—5 to 7 words per headline works best.
- Use strong, eye-catching pictures that explain the message quickly.
- Consider adding animations designed to grab attention
3. Localize Content for Different Areas of the Mall
Not every screen in the mall should show the same thing. Content should match the area where the screen is.
For example:
- Food court: Show menu boards, daily specials, and seating updates.
- Entrances: Display maps, mall hours, and event schedules.
- Kids’ areas: Share family events, toy store sales, and safety reminders.
Shoppers see information that matches their needs, which makes them more likely to pay attention and trust the signs.
4. Show Shopper Content
When people see their own content on the screen, they’re more likely to share it online and tell friends. Over time, this builds community and makes the mall feel lively and fun.
5. Use Data and Analytics to Improve Content
Digital analytics systems can also track how well your content works. They show which ads make people stop, which screens get the most views, and which messages lead to more sales.
Malls can use this data to:
- Test two ads to see which one gets better results.
- Learn what shoppers like most in each spot.
- Replace weaker content with stronger content that works.
Types of Digital Displays and Hardware Solutions
The right type of screen makes a big difference in how a mall looks and how well the signs work. Here are the main options:
LED Video Walls for High-Impact Visuals
LED video walls are large, bright screens made up of many smaller panels. They’re often placed in atriums, entrances, or event areas where many people pass by. These walls can show huge ads, colorful videos, or special announcements.
These are great for brand campaigns or mall-wide events. Shoppers can see them from far away, which makes them perfect centerpieces for a mall’s common spaces.
Interactive Kiosks and Touchscreen Solutions
Interactive kiosks are self-service screens that shoppers can touch to find stores, sales, or events in the mall.
Visitors get quick answers from the screen, without having to ask an employee for help. People find exactly what they need, and their mall trip goes more smoothly.
Standard Digital Displays and Smart Screens
These can be mounted on walls or stand alone in hallways and rest areas. Standard displays are flexible and cost less than bigger setups like video walls.
They’re often used for store ads, wayfinding, and event updates. They can be controlled from one central system, making them easy to update with new content.
These can be optimized for digital signage using an OptiStick or an OptiSigns Pro or Pro Max player.
Touchless and Sensor-Based Technologies
Touchless screens work with hand waves, phone scans, or QR codes. When someone moves their hand or scans a code, the screen shows the information.
These signs are great in busy spots where many people pass by. Since they’re touch-free, they stay cleaner and safer.
Display Type, Best Use Case, and Key Benefits
Bring Your Mall to Life With OptiSigns
Shopping mall digital signs make visits easier and more fun. They help people find their way, identify sales, and enjoy special events. With the right setup, digital signs can also boost sales revenue and make shoppers want to stay longer.
OptiSigns makes running digital signs simple with:
- Easy tools
- Ready-to-use templates
- A single dashboard to control every screen in the mall
- Integration with popular apps
- Multimedia display capability
- Content scheduling and automation
