24/02/2026
Retail spaces across the UK are experiencing a significant transformation, and ‘smart signage’ is at the heart of this evolution. By embracing advanced technology, these intelligent displays are helping retailers foster stronger customer connections, improve the efficiency of their operations, and drive increased sales.
From interactive kiosks to AI-driven personalisation, smart signage can be a powerful partner in creating meaningful, tailored, and seamless shopping journeys for your customers. In this article, we explore what ‘smart’ means in terms of signage, and how these technologies are supporting UK retailers.
Interactive displays
Interactive displays offer dynamic, inclusive experiences for customers, enabling them to interact directly with products and services, from browsing catalogues to customising items. For example, Westfield London, one of the UK’s largest shopping centres, has implemented interactive wayfinding kiosks to help shoppers quickly locate shops, food options, and amenities.
AI-driven personalisation
These days it’s hard to glance at a screen without tripping over something that claims to be powered by AI. However, behind the hype, there’s no denying the way that Artificial Intelligence is transforming signage by delivering real-time tailored content. This is because AI software is extremely good at sifting through huge quantities of data in order to deliver personalised responses to queries and behavioural cues. In advertising terms, an AI engine can analyse shopper behaviour and preferences to create more relevant communications through digital screens, far more efficiently than earlier generations of software could.
For instance, in 2024, Sainsbury’s tested “smart screens” at the point of sale to offer tailored product recommendations and loyalty offers based on past behaviour, and high street fashion stalwarts M&S have investigated using AI to direct customers to product offers curated to their preferences, enhancing the sense of personal service.
Virtual fitting rooms
Virtual fitting rooms are breaking down barriers in fashion retail, with augmented reality (AR) now enabling customers to see how garments would look without trying them on physically Some virtual retailers, including ASOS, have piloted virtual fitting room technology online and in-store, making it easier for customers to visualise different sizes and styles, reducing returns and supporting an effortless experience.
Dynamic pricing displays
Traditional price tags are static, but smart signage enables real-time pricing updates—particularly valuable in sectors like grocery and convenience retail. A very recent example of this, from June 2025, is the way Sainsbury’s have rolled out electronic shelf labels in select stores, automatically adjusting prices based on inventory, promotions, or even competitor pricing. These dynamic displays can be programmed to promote add-on items, tailored bundles, flash discounts, or timely offers at key moments in the customer journey.
Real-time inventory management
Smart signage connected with stock systems keeps customers and staff informed of product availability without manual checks. Argos, for instance, now uses digital screens across some of its stores displaying live inventory data, allowing customers to verify availability before placing an order. Smart signage solutions of this kind can also harvest valuable analytic data on customer behaviours, which can be fed directly back into the business to inform merchandising and marketing strategies.
Shaping better experiences with smart signage
The real value of smart signage for retailers is the way that they enable businesses to shape stronger and more memorable experiences for customers. They can also increase revenues by encouraging spur of the moment purchases, cross sales, and up sales, and improve customer service by advising customers of up-to-date prices, offers, and availability. For more information about smart signage and how you can benefit, please contact one of the team at Image Technique today by clicking here.
Image souce: Canva
