How Digital Signage Is Transforming the Industry
As the hospitality landscape evolves, pubs and bars are under increasing pressure to modernise and enhance their customer experience. The days of static chalkboards and print posters are giving way to dynamic, flexible, and visually engaging digital signage solutions. As tech-centric hospitality environments have rapidly grown in popularity over the past decade, we’ve witnessed firsthand how digital displays are revolutionising pub and bar venues. Here’s why digital signage is the future of pubs and why investing in this technology is no longer optional—it's essential.
1. Real-Time Updates for Pricing and Content
Gone are the days of printing and reprinting menus or manually updating prices manually. Digital signage allows for real-time updates, enabling pubs to adjust prices, promote daily specials, or respond to supply changes instantly. For example, if you're running low on a particular beer, a quick press of a button update can shift focus to another product, centalising control of promotions across your signage netwrok and boosting sales of higher-margin and in-demand items.
2. Boost Revenue with Sponsorships and Advertising
Digital displays are not just tools for customer engagement—they’re revenue generators. Pubs utilizing digital signage can sell advertising space to local businesses or beverage sponsors, creating an additional income stream. Displaying branded messages from suppliers like breweries or spirit brands can offset the cost of the system while driving customer attention toward featured products.
3. Enhanced Promotions for Special Offers and Events
Digital signage empowers pubs to be more strategic with their promotions. Tailor content to specific days, times, or events to maximize impact. For example:
-Happy Hour Deals: Promote discounted cocktails or snacks during quieter periods.
-Sports Events: Advertise £3 beers during England games or a free shot for every goal scored, enticing sports fans to stay longer.
-Seasonal Campaigns: Update menus and promotions for holidays or special occasions without additional printing costs.
The flexibility to schedule time-sensitive promotions ensures your messaging is always relevant and engaging, increasing footfall and boosting sales.
4. Create an Immersive and Modern Atmosphere
First impressions matter. Digital signage adds a sleek, contemporary feel to your venue. LED displays with vivid imagery and animated content create an eye-catching environment that captivates customers. Whether it’s showcasing a rotating food menu, ambient visuals of drinks, or live sports schedules, digital displays elevate the aesthetic of your pub, making it a venue customers want to return to.
5. Seamless Event Promotion
Hosting events like quiz nights, live music, or sports screenings? Digital signage makes promoting these events effortless. Schedule reminders on-screen throughout the week or during key times when customers are most engaged. Studies show pubs utilizing digital signage see a 50% increase in revenue, partly because it’s easier to communicate with customers about what’s happening next.
Imagine your digital displays announcing:
-“Don’t miss our Quiz Night this Thursday—£100 bar tab for the winners!”
-“Live DJ Saturday at 8 PM!”
-"England vs Wales 8pm Saturday'
These real-time updates and visually compelling messages keep your customers informed and excited about what’s coming up in future.
6. Improved Customer Experience
Beyond promotions, digital signage enhances the overall customer journey. Queue management displays, digital beer boards, or interactive touchscreen kiosks for streamlining order processes and minimize wait times. By reducing friction points, customers are more likely to stay longer and spend more, creating a win-win for both the business and its customers as people are more expecting of a technology-driven environment in todays hospitality venues.
Ready to Transform Your Pub?
At Handy AV, we specialise in providing end-to-end digital signage solutions, from consultation and deployment to content management and system control. With decades of experience rolling out large-scale AV fit-out projects across multiple locations, we understand the unique challenges pubs and bars face.
For a free consultation, get in touch with us today and discover how we can help you bring your pub into the digital future.
