I delve into the concept of digital signage, explaining how networks of screens operate in various environments such as retail stores, airports, and outdoor advertising. It's about the software and hardware that manage these screens, ensuring content is properly deployed across the network.

Understanding Digital Signage: Networks of Screens Explained

When people ask me what digital signage is, they often used to think it was like DocuSign, signing a contract online. Digital signage is basically networks of screens. So the screens you see out in the world, you probably encounter them in retail stores, at the airport, outdoor advertising. It's the software and the hardware that is running all of those screens as a single network, combining them together and making sure that they are working, but also that the content is being deployed to the screens. So now you know that, you're going to see digital signage everywhere.

I explore how digital signage is now ubiquitous in retail and QSR spaces and the rise of employee-facing screens. The challenge of proving ROI for these screens remains, and I discuss future directions to address this.

Digital Signage Trends and ROI Challenges in 2026

So this year in digital signage, I've noticed that us as consumers have seen screens popping up absolutely everywhere. So every retail location, every QSR location and most out of home advertising is now powered by screens and kiosks. I think this is almost finished completion and almost everywhere now has those screens. But I think that will continue into 2026. The second trend is actually the fastest growing emerging category for digital signage is employee facing screens. This is where ScreenCloud focuses on. We are seeing this adoption at a massive rate, and I think that is being inspired by what we're seeing as consumers in retail and QSR. As we see bigger investment coming into digital signage, there is still the elephant in the room, which is the ROI of screens. We have not really determined this for employee facing communication screens in the same way that we have in retail environments where you can really pin it back to the money. So I think in 2026, we're going to be asked this question even more, and there are various ways in which we can tackle it. I'm really excited about looking at that because we already know screens work. We know the science is fantastic behind it, but now we really need to prove it as an industry if we're going to take this to the next level.

I explore the innovative self-serve technology introduced at the new Everton Stadium, which allows fans to pour their own pints. This advancement aims to reduce queue times and enhance the match day experience. Such technologies are likely to become more common in upgraded hospitality venues.

Exploring Self-Serve Technology at Everton Stadium

Pour your own pint, guided by a screen, welcome to a match day at the new Everton Stadium. So the brand new Everton Football Club Stadium opened this summer and as you would expect it's technically a big step up. As you can see from the video there are self-serve kiosks where you can now order your own beers and have them poured for you automatically. Now I think this is a great idea because if you're having a beer at halftime often the queues are really big and you hardly have any time to have a drink and a chat you're just waiting in the queue. So anything that we can do to dismiss that is probably great news for people. It also means they have more choice over what they can have and they can do it outside. So I think this kind of technology is something we're going to see more and more in our hospitality venues as they get upgraded. I think it's helpful to everyone so I'm going to give this five out of five. Good job.

I explore how to enhance hotel guest experiences by appropriately upselling services. By tapping into guests' needs at the right time, we can create more personalised and effective service offerings.

Enhancing Hotel Guest Experiences Through Upselling

So in a previous video about a hotel guest experience, I talked about what would make an impression on a guest as they arrived, but we can also continue this journey as they stay with you. I was also asked about how can you upsell services without seeming too salesy? The best way to do it is to make it appropriate. So after a few days staying at the hotel, you may have used all of the regular facilities. And at that point, you might be thinking, you know what? Actually, a massage sounds good if it's towards the end of the week or the weekend or something like that. Likewise, if you are running, say, a breakfast service, you could advertise that you could take a coffee to go on your way to the meeting or on with your day. And actually, that is more informing that you've got a takeaway service, but also that is upselling. So mostly we create products and services because people want them. We just have to tap into when they want them. The good news with a screen is, you know, the time of day. You know the location. And so you can be appropriate. When would you be making this suggestion as a human being? Just codify that and turn that into a digital signage content. And I think you'll start to see some great results.

In this video, I explore the innovative use of screens paired with kiosks in retail environments, such as KFC. These screens display high-definition videos of products, enhancing the purchase decision process and potentially increasing sales. I discuss the commercial and technical benefits of this integration, predicting a rise in kiosk usage over the coming years.

The Future of Kiosk and Screen Integration in Retail

Please, please don't lick the screens. So I was recently given a video. It wasn't taken by myself in KFC showing a panel of screens above some ordering kiosks which were tantalizing to say the least. They're showing pretty high definition good videos of their products and bundles right above the point of sale. This is a good time to actually catch someone. This is right at the purchase decision moment and therefore as they gaze their eyes up and then come back down to the kiosk they're much more likely to spend more money. So from a commercial point of view, this makes loads of sense. They're already inside the KFC so they've obviously made some decision to come in. I think over the next few years we're going to see a big uptick in the use of kiosks for making purchases and also for finding out more information. Pairing a kiosk up like this with a main screen just giving you supporting information whilst you make those decisions I think is a really smart move. Commercially it makes a load of sense. Just from a technical point of view I'm going to give this a four out of five. I think it is a sign of genius and a sign of things to come.

Explore how Swatch Milan uses digital signage to enhance brand presence, creating a colourful and vibrant retail environment. However, there's potential to further engage customers through interactive messaging.

Innovative Digital Signage at Swatch Milan Store

In the Swatch Milan store, time doesn't tick, it flashes across screens. I was reading another blog post by Dave Haynes of 69, our digital signage industry guru, and he drew our attention to the Swatch store in Milan. As you can see, these screens have been beautifully fitted into the aesthetic of the building, which is very high ceiling, so you've got nice tall screens. I like the fact that it really helps bring the brand to life. Swatch is a colourful, vibrant brand, and that really needs animation and colourful power to emphasise that. If I was to criticise it, the screen isn't really telling me to do anything. Maybe that was the point and the intention, but this is a retail environment, so I think there is room here to tell the customer what they should be thinking about or doing next. I would give this a screen score of three out of five. It is a sign of genius if they just tweaked it a little more. What do you think in the comments?

I delve into the evolving landscape of digital signage and its market potential. With traditional notice boards being replaced by screens, we discuss the vast opportunities and the need for education in this growing sector.

Exploring the Future of Digital Signage

One of the biggest question marks around digital signage from an investment point of view has been the addressable market. So if you actually size digital signage today, I think it comes up at a $30 billion market and only $1 billion of software spend, which is relatively small considering what it should be. Personally, I think the market is much, much larger than that. And I know that there's certain large investment firms also share that thesis. If you think about it, in the next five to 10 years, will there really be notice boards with bits of paper hanging on them anymore? I don't think so. That doesn't feel right. What's that going to be replaced with? Screens or a version of screens. The hardware landscape is evolving, but the need is not. The need is there. So we have a big greenfield opportunity. Generally speaking with customers, we're not replacing and churning out one of our closer competitors. Maybe we're taking something that's really outdated, on premise or even homegrown. And mostly this is a greenfield opportunity. So I think that the market size is infinite, which sounds a bit scary and strange. But we need to educate everyone on why we should be dropping the paper, putting a screen up and using that instead. Thank you.