Why Digital Signage in Hardware Stores is a Must-Have!

Hardware stores are typically large, product-heavy, and can be overwhelming for customers, especially impromptu home improvers who frequent these stores only sparingly! Digital signage is an immensely helpful tool in this particular context as it can inform shoppers where the product they need is, or if it’s even available. It can also help browse through available products more efficiently. On the marketing side of the business, digital signage can help push sales of seasonal products, feature vendor products, and create cross-selling and up-selling opportunities.

Wayfinding and guides

Larger hardware stores can be difficult to navigate. Unlike supermarkets, most shoppers don’t visit them as often as to recalling the floorplan. For new patrons it’s especially difficult. Therefore digital signage in a hardware store can help with wayfinding through key placements at the very entrance to the store, as well as central areas where most customers pass through. Here, displays are most visible and accessible.

Use your judgment to establish just how much wayfinding is needed. Perhaps you might only need it when new arrivals come in. Then you can make it on-demand via interaction. On another hand, if the store is bigger or after a reorganization of departments has taken place, it may be needed on a larger scale to point to products. 

Use an entire display as a map of the store or even as an interactive asset. If this sounds like a waste of space, simply include a small banner at the bottom of your displays to allow the customer to load a map with the change in placements. This sort of content is particularly important in seasonal promotions to direct users to the section they will most likely look for. During Christmas, they will look for trees or holiday decorations. During summer, the gardening or grill section is in high demand.

Inventory browsing

At times, looking for the right item in a hardware store is very much like looking for a needle in a haystack. In particular because many home improvers don’t fully know what they even need. Shoppers often seek out staff. Digital displays can mitigate the rush on staff in this context. Through interaction, customers can browse available items, sizes, variations, or even applications. This saves a lot of time and boosts the customer experience, even if the product is unavailable. 

The shopper will have a positive view of the business and know, in the future, they can check for the item they’re looking for on their own. You’ll get extra points if the user can use digital signage to also access wayfinding info on where the item is in the store. It doesn’t have to point them to the exact shelf. An indicator for the general section in the store often is enough. 

The immersion of digital signage in this case really depends on what you’re willing to set up for your business. It’s a simple thing to set up buttons on a digital display, but where they lead is up to you. If a product is not in stock, your display could lead the customer online to place an order for delivery or pickup. In case they have questions, include a button to notify staff to come to their location.

Product demos & vendor showcases

Hardware products, especially the larger and more expensive investments, are purchased after a lot of examination and consideration. Digital signage excels at product demos, as it can be triggered on-demand, or rotate through a set of products of your choosing. These short visual demonstrations highlight the benefits and show off the item in use. Consider building them as seasonal purchases approach.

Using digital signage in hardware stores for demonstrations is a clever way to strengthen connections to your partners. When it comes to hardware products specifically, customers are typically mindful of the brand they purchase from. You could promote an entire product range from the same vendor, as well as a different range of products based on pricing, use, or size.

Loyalty program promotion

Digital signage is powerful in pushing loyalty programs. Take a look at our post on this topic to cover all the angles. As such, digital signage in a hardware store can inform customers that loyalty programs exist, and tell them how quick and simple it is to sign up. Of course, the benefits are a key ingredient.

The ideal location for loyalty program promotion in a hardware store is at checkout points. Another fast way to do it is through QR-codes placed at check-out but also throughout the store. This is especially useful for cases where only specific products participate in loyalty program perks. We’ve recently written a post on the topic of e-paper displays. They’re particularly useful for product information updates without using much energy or space. They are lightweight and easy to move around.

Cross-selling and up-selling opportunities

We’ve briefly mentioned pushing vendor products above to raise awareness and advertise. Meanwhile, a great approach is to push very specific products which work well together. Cleaning products intended for specific hardware, for instance, could be listed in a promotional offer if both are purchased together. There are also those must-have combinations, such as protective cases and tools, paints and brushes, doors and locks/handles, power tools and safety gear, and so on.

Seasonal promotions and discounts

Finally we reach the most common use for digital signage displays which is promotion and advertising. With everything said above, think of purchasing shifts throughout the year and promote products tied to specific months and seasons. Deploy them ahead of an upcoming season to get customers thinking ahead and planning on what to purchase. 

As the growing season begins in spring, sales spike and everyone is focused on lawn care.  Meanwhile as winter approaches, shoppers might be more interested in heating supplies, insulation, boots/gloves, jumper cables, antifreeze, etc. These sorts of promotions can make a big impact if you’re mindful of the behavior of shoppers in your area. Get started building them right away with OnSign, through apps, compositions, and campaigns!