We’ve previously explored how recent events have affected the digital signage industry and from COVID-19 to supply chain issues, it’s safe to say that the past couple of years have been a challenge for everyone. But there is one specific market that has surprisingly had huge growth. At a time where contactless experiences were a must and social distancing measures were in place, interactive touch screen displays sales were impacted and surprisingly they are now more popular than ever. So why did this happen? How have recent years affected the industry and what does the future of touch screens look like? Let’s find out!

 

Interactive Displays in Recent Years

We started seeing the impact of the pandemic on the touch screen market very early on. Manufacturing facilities had to be temporarily shut down due to lockdown restrictions, virus outbreaks and limited availability of labour and materials, which resulted in serious supply chain issues around the world. On top of that many businesses where touch screen were largely used, such as retail stores and event companies, were closing and cancelling all scheduled activities.

This meant that not only was the industry facing a shortage of products, but the number of installations that required interactivity initially dropped drastically. Lockdown restrictions and the need to avoid large crowds were closing businesses around the world and that also meant that owners now had less financial freedom to invest in digital signage.

 

The Comeback of Interactive Displays

All of these factors heavily impacted the growth of the touch screen market but the popularity of these displays, as well as the overall need to include interactive experiences across multiple sectors, then began to rapidly increase. In fact, the interactive display market is expected to grow from USD 9.0 billion in 2020 to USD 13.2 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 8.1%.¹  

This growth can be attributed to factors such as the increasing demand for interactive displays and kiosks, the higher demand for gamification and interactive learning solutions in classroom, as well as the adoption of touch screen displays across multiple retail sectors. On top of that, over the last few years, interactive displays have become more financially accessible and easier to use, which has increased end-user engagement across multiple applications such as learning, wayfinding and ticketing.

Business owners are starting to realise that interactive kiosks can greatly reduce labour costs since it reduces the need for large customer service teams and delivers improved returns on investment for marketing. On top of this, technology keeps evolving and we are now seeing more innovative solutions that facilitate the integration of interactive digital signage across multiple businesses. A great example of this are our PCAP Touch Screen Monitors that, designed with an open frame, are ideal for kiosk integration and wall-mounted applications. This solution was recently added to our off-the-shelf ranges following a rapid increase in popularity and it allows for truly immersive experiences for customers without the hassle for business owners.

Top Sectors for Interactive Displays

With interactive solutions becoming more popular, we are seeing more and more touch screens being used across multiple sectors. The truth is, most business can achieve great results when using creative and dynamic ways to share information and promote products. So let’s explore how these top sectors can use this technology to create massive impacts.

 

Museums

An increasing number of museums around the world are adopting interactive digital experiences to attract more visitors and deliver dynamic and entertaining experiences. Visitors can now find floor-to-ceiling interactive walls that are responsive to touch and movements that allow for a truly immersive experience, as well as interactive wayfinding kiosks, lift-and-learn experiments and displays that include VR/AR content. Interactive experiences are the ultimate way to attract more visitors, share information in a captivating way and create long-lasting memories for all that interact with these displays.

Corporate Workplaces

There are multiple ways to integrate interactive digital signage in offices and workplace environments, such as interactive whiteboards, voice-controlled presentations and room booking systems. Offices and workplace facilities are seen as the face of the brand for both employees and visitors and touch screens can not only modernise the look of meeting rooms and office spaces, but it can also make sharing information a lot easier and more efficient.

 

Education

Recent generations grew up surrounded by technology so it’s vital to include engaging and immersive educational methods in order to facilitate learning and information sharing. Across the world, universities and schools have been adopting interactive displays in their educational methods. One great example of this are our 4K Interactive Touch Displays that allow students to write and draw on the board, creating a more entertaining environment in the classroom. You might also find interactive touch screens where students can explore school achievements, activities and news.

 

Fast Food Restaurants

Did you know that 88% of customers would prefer a self-service menu board at the table? ²  Nowadays it’s becoming more easy for you to find interactive self-service kiosks across multiple fast food chains and that is a reflection of the increasing demand for interactivity. This technology has been rapidly growing especially because of the development of facial-recognition technology that perfectly pairs with interactive displays to deliver the ultimate immersive and personalised experience.

Retail

Lastly, retail stores are one of the main sectors that can receive incredible advantages from using interactive touch screen displays. With the rise of e-commerce, especially during the pandemic, retailers are finding unique ways to attract more customers and create engaging ways to bring consumers to brick-and-mortar stores. You can now find interactive experiences using solutions like our Android PCAP Touch Screens, as well as lift-and-learn displays, gamification activities, self-checkout kiosks, and so much more.

 

Conclusion

It’s no surprise that recent events have had a huge impact on the touch screen industry but the truth is that this market has completely turned around and is now one of the most popular technologies in the digital signage world. Your customers have endless ways of integrating interactive displays into their businesses and all of them are sure to bring both employees’ and customers’ experiences to the next level.

If you would like to explore our interactive ranges and how they can be integrated, then get in touch today and we will be fully available to assist you.