To put it simply – sustainability is not just a buzzword; it’s a call to action.
As we go about our daily shopping, we often overlook the countless posters, signs, and banners in use. Stores frequently change their displays or promotions, only to store them away once they’ve served their purpose. This practice has long been the standard for retailers’ display advertising, but with growing awareness of our environmental impact, they are beginning to recognize the need for change.
This trend is driven by consumers who are increasingly conscious of eco-friendly practices, prompting retailers to respond accordingly. Embracing these changes is relatively easy; incorporating digital signage is one effective solution. Not only does digital signage reduce the cost of printed materials and waste, but it also increases efficiency, helping retailers move toward sustainability.
Let’s take a closer look at how this innovative technology is a game-changer in the retail space and discover some great examples demonstrating how it could potentially improve a retail store.
The growing demand for eco-friendly practices in retail
Numerous initiatives have provided insights into the retail industry and brand communication. Remember your last shopping trip—were you searching for a jacket or buying groceries? In such cases, the chances of noticing advertisements are high, especially with posters promoting discounts and events already set in the shopping environment. Now, imagine if every ad was displayed on a screen instead of on paper.
It’s well-known that consumer spending in developed economies is increasingly shifting towards eco-friendly concepts, focusing on sustainability and environmental awareness. A recent study found that 82% of consumers consider the environmental impact of businesses when making purchasing decisions, highlighting the growing importance of sustainable options in the market (IBM, 2020).
Traditionally, retailers relied on printed signs and displays to inform shoppers about various events. While this method was effective for decades, it has become impractical in an age where waste is a significant concern. Printed signage is now viewed as a relic of the past. That’s why many progressive retailers are adopting digital signage. It not only reduces paper waste but also offers speed and versatility that paper materials cannot match.
Curious about how digital signage can help your business go green? Explore Yodeck today and take the first step toward a more sustainable future!
Saving paper with digital signage: A green option
What if every sale or promotion at your favorite store was displayed on a screen—no posters, no pamphlets, just a digital display changing with each new deal? It may seem like a small change, but this simple concept can work wonders for the environment.
Printed signs are often useful for only a few days, maybe a week, before they are discarded. That amounts to a significant amount of waste. Consider the resources involved: paper, ink, and the energy used in producing and distributing these signs. Much of that goes to waste. Smart signs offer a solution. Hundreds of advertising messages can be stored on one screen, allowing users to update them with just a click.
In fact, the average store spends about $2,500 each year on printing marketing materials, not to mention the hidden costs of producing and disposing of these items (Sustainable Brands, 2021). By embracing digital displays, retailers can not only reduce waste but also lower costs in the long run.
Moreover, reducing paper waste through digital media helps conserve other limited resources, such as ink, plastic, and fuel used in transportation. When a sign doesn’t need to be produced and delivered, the environmental impact is significantly reduced. And it’s not just large retailers that benefit—small businesses can make a difference, too.
How digital signage improves efficiency
For sellers, installing digital signs is not only a sustainable choice but also a smart business decision. In today’s fast-paced environment, businesses must be quick and flexible. Changes in market conditions, such as increased MRP on certain items, can necessitate the production of new materials. This process often requires staff to install new signage in multiple locations, replacing old materials that are left unused.
Digital signage eliminates this challenge. Instead of waiting days or even weeks for signs to be printed and shipped, retailers can update their displays within minutes using their computers. This flexibility allows businesses to manage inventory turnover more effectively through weather-focused marketing. For example, on a sunny day, a retailer might offer a 70% discount on umbrellas to clear out off-season stock.
In addition to improving operational efficiency, digital signage leverages advanced LED and OLED technologies, reducing energy usage by up to 50% compared to older display technologies (Energy Star, 2022). Retailers can also program their displays to turn off when not in use, further decreasing energy consumption. In a time when minimizing carbon footprints is critical, this level of efficiency is truly revolutionary.
Eliminating the demand for physical materials
Digital signage benefits the environment in a straightforward and effective way—it reduces the need for materials used in traditional marketing, such as printed materials in malls, shop window displays, and small retail stores. While the number of printed materials may not seem significant for a single retail facility in a year, it adds up quickly. The total number of signs can easily resemble the countless posters plastered across a mall or busy shopping street. But what happens to these posters at the end of a campaign? Most are discarded in landfills.
By implementing digital signage, retailers can completely eliminate the use of paper, ink, and other traditional in-store marketing tools. One screen can display an endless number of messages, each tailored to specific seasons, times of day, or shopper demographics.
This transformation is beneficial not only for the environment but also for businesses. Retailers can cut expenses associated with the regular use of printed promotional materials, significantly reducing costs related to design, production, and transportation. More importantly, digital signage allows retailers to adopt a flexible approach to their communication. Need to modify a promotion mid-day? No problem. Want to experiment with a new visual style while waiting on new prints? Absolutely.
The only limitation is the brand’s creativity. This is one reason why the number of businesses switching to digital signage is increasing every day. The best part? It’s also environmentally friendly.
Yodeck’s role in creating a greener future for retail
This is where Yodeck comes in. Unlike other digital signage vendors, Yodeck emphasizes the importance of sustainability and efficiency in the modern retail sector. By using Yodeck, retailers can consolidate all their digital signage onto a central cloud-based system, providing ease of access and control. As a result, they can change videos across multiple locations in seconds, eliminating the need for printing or mailing materials.
Additionally, Yodeck’s displays are power-efficient, significantly reducing retailers’ energy consumption. With features such as smart scheduling and remote management, Yodeck’s platform helps retailers minimize waste and enhance operational performance.
What’s most compelling is that Yodeck allows anyone, regardless of company size, to utilize digital signage without challenges. Yodeck offers scalable solutions that support both boutique stores and large national chains in achieving their eco-friendly objectives at reasonable costs
A greener future for retail with digital signage
The retail industry is changing, and it’s about more than just keeping up with the latest trends. It’s about responding to the world around us—and that world is asking for sustainability. Digital signage offers retailers a way to be part of the solution. It reduces waste, lowers energy consumption, and helps businesses operate more efficiently.
As consumers, we have the power to support businesses that are taking steps to be greener. And as businesses, there’s no better time than now to embrace these changes. Yodeck’s digital signage solutions make it easy for retailers to transition to more sustainable operations, helping them not only meet their environmental goals but also connect with today’s eco-conscious consumers.
So, next time you’re out shopping, and you notice a digital display where a printed sign used to be, take a moment to appreciate the small but meaningful shift that’s happening in retail. Together, we’re building a future that’s not just about commerce—but about caring for our planet.
Ready to go green with Yodeck? Let’s make sustainability a part of your business, one digital sign at a time.