The forecast for the digital signage market is bright, with nary a cloud in the proverbial sky. According to AVIXA’s Industry Outlook and Trends Analysis (IOTA), it’s one of the largest solution areas in the Pro AV industry, with an estimated value of $35 billion this year and growing to $44.7 billion in 2026. Numbers vary among market research organizations, of course, but analysts generally agree that digital signage will continue to grow over the next several years.

So, why is digital signage trending up? Researchers point to its increased use in commercial applications, such as retail, entertainment, and hospitality. Sean Wargo, senior director of market intelligence for AVIXA, told me the digital signage market—like so many other segments of the Pro AV industry—was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Certainly consumers are becoming more mobile and have an increased willingness to spend,” Wargo said. “As they recover, digital signage is also able to recover. It all equals return to growth.”

Remember, hospitality essentially came to a grinding halt in 2020. For almost two years, hotels were focused on pandemic-based safety protocols, not enticing you to try the fish at the restaurant downstairs. In fact, on-prem restaurants were closed or had very restricted offerings. Even some self-serve hotel breakfasts were reduced to brown bag distributions by masked and gloved employees, because congregating in common areas was discouraged. With few customers, as well as limited opportunities to present them with information, digital signage was far from a priority.

Now, the hospitality is redirecting its efforts again, this time toward filling rooms and improving the guest experience. That means digital signage is off the “good enough” list. Expect to see more installations, from the lobby to the valet stand, as properties increase their digital signage investments.

You can see a similar resurgence in retail. Consumers are returning to in-person shopping, and brick and mortar are businesses are using digital out-of-home (OOH) advertising and other digital signage solutions to differentiate their offerings from the online shopping experience. And you can’t miss the push by quick serve restaurant (QSR) chains to adopt digital menu boards, both inside the store and at the drive thru. Self-serve ordering kiosks will be unavoidable in the very near future.

From dynamic dvLED displays to more utilitarian LCD/LED flat panel installs, from wayfinding kiosks to immersive entertainment experiences, expect plenty of new digital signage on the horizon. Companies just need to keep the clouds away with engaging content.

This article was written by Mark J. Pescatore from AV Network and was legally licensed through the Industry Dive Content Marketplace. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.