21 Ways to Increase Foot Traffic in Retail Using Signage

Retail signs are a staple of customer facing businesses, and eye-catching signage is one of the most simple yet effective ways to boost your business' visibility to passing customers. Surveys by the Signage Foundation have found that as many as 48% of people will walk into your store simply because of an attractive store-front sign.

There are many ways to use different types of signage to improve your foot traffic but focusing on brand image and communicating your value with the customer.

Why retail signage is critical for businesses

Retail signage can shape the customer experience before they ever walk into your store. And done right, it can even be used to improve their perception of your brand, and potentially even improve satisfaction as they interact with your business.

Some of the most common benefits of using bold and eye-catching retail signage include:

Attract passersby and increases foot traffic

With effective signage, you can improve visibility and drive traffic to your store. Eye-catching window displays, bold storefront signage, and dynamic digital screens can grab the attention of passersby, and encourage them to step inside, where they’ll be met by your dazzling visual merchandising and creative retail signage.

By attracting passersby, signage not only boosts in-store visits but also increases the potential for conversions

Boost sales through promotions

Fewer tools are as effective at highlighting sales and special offers than your signs. Well-placed promotional displays draw customers' attention to discounts and limited-time deals, encouraging impulse purchases.

We’ve seen that customers are more likely to act on promotions they can see; in fact, 91% of shoppers in a survey by the International Sign Association say that signs influence their purchase decisions.

Create an engaging visual experience

Attractive signage can enhance the overall aesthetic of your business, making it more inviting and appealing to customers. From digital displays that showcase dynamic content to well-designed window signage that draws people inside. Great signage sets the tone for the kind of shopping experience customers can expect.

Informing and educating customers

In addition to promotions, signs can provide important product information or instructions. For example, digital screens can inform customers about the benefits of a particular product, highlight new arrivals, or explain how to use a product. 

Guiding and directing customers

In larger stores, the customer experience can be improved by helping people find exactly what they're looking for. This can be anything from a building directory, for example in a shopping mall or large supermarket, to a simple selection of signs pointing them in the right direction.

Read More: Shopping Mall Digital Signage

Faster (self) service

Increasingly, the customer expects a way to find exactly what they want when they need it. Whether this is through click and collect orders, or self check-out. Using your digital screens can serve both as a form of signage, and as a way for customers to browse your catalog, or to collect pre-ordered items without waiting in a queue.

Retail signage ideas to attract customers

1. Going digital with screens

Increasingly, the humble screen is becoming a focal part of the retailers sign arsenal. Because they're so versatile, they can be used to create eye-catching window displays, upsell at the checkout or simply display ads within the store promoting a specific product. You can even use digital signage as a feature installation in the form of video walls or welcome boards.

2. Add whimsy with some inflatable signs

For a fun and eye-catching approach, you can place inflatable signs shaped like products or promotional characters outside your retail store during special events or sales. These large, playful signs can attract attention from a distance and create a festive atmosphere that can entice shoppers to come inside.

3. Try flexible A-frame sidewalk signs

A-frame signs are another classic outdoor retail store sign idea to try. Place these outside to advertise daily deals, sales events, or special promotions and attract more foot traffic. There are different types of A-frame and sandwich signs which can be either be printed with permanent content, or if using a chalk board, can be updated with special offers or daily messages.

4. Illuminate the way with lightbox signs

Lightbox signs feature illuminated messaging that stands out day and night. They are ideal for displaying your store name, logo, or special promotions and can be a great way to stand out in a busy environment, or if your retail store is located in a darker corner of the street or mall.

The brightness makes these signs hard to miss, even after dark, helping your store remain visible to potential customers during all hours.

5. Flying the flag banners

Flag banners fluttering outside your building catch the eye of passersby. They are great for promoting sales, grand openings, or seasonal events, especially as they come in a variety of sizes, from head height to towering tall. They can be placed near entrances or along busy streets to increase brand awareness and draw attention to your business.

6. Influence customers with floor decals

Floor graphics can lead customers to promotional items or highlight product zones. These adhesive decals are placed directly on the floor and can feature arrows, footprints, or eye-catching designs to guide customers through your store or to specific sales areas. They're a fun and effective way to improve navigation and product discovery in your store.

7. Use promotional banners to update customers

Banners are a versatile signage option for large, bold messaging. Hang them inside your business to advertise upcoming sales, new product launches, or loyalty programs. For best results, retailers usually place these in high-traffic areas like:

• Store entrance
• Checkout areas
• High traffic aisles

8. Save space with hanging ceiling signs

Hanging signs from the ceiling can help maximize vertical space in store and draw attention to specific areas or product categories. You can even use these to guide customers as a form of wayfinding signage, drawing attention to key sections like sales racks or new arrivals.

While this might not be a way of increasing foot traffic, it can be a great way of helping people locate what they need. And of course, if you help people find what they need in store, you can increase sales and improve the shopping experience.

9. Window graphics to display promotional messages

The window display is key to attracting traffic in a retail setting, and there many ways you can use your window to target customers as they pass.

With window graphics, you get a cost-effective way to attract shoppers and leverage unused window space to share key offers.

10. Try freestanding signs

Freestanding signs can be strategically placed around the store to highlight key promotions or product categories. They are portable, which means you can easily move them to different areas depending on current sales 

11. Never underestimate shopfront signage

Let’s not forget about traditional shopfront signs. This can be a unique sign designed to carry your business's name, logo, and other relevant information. Businesses have used these to identify retail properties for as long as retail has existed, and it remains an important way to communicate your branding.

Cool retail signage ideas for experimentation

Tired of the same old retail signage everyone else has? These are some of the more unique and eye-catching methods of creating retail signage to potentially boost foot traffic. And if nothing else, they will definitely turn some heads.

1. Incorporate science with moving signs

Science tells us that the human eye is impressively sensitive to movement; that’s why we can tell when something moves in the dark even though we’re struggling to see.

Use this to your retails store’s advantage by using signs that incorporate some motion.

These include be

• Hanging banners
• Motion graphics in digital signage
• A tube man/skydancer
• Sign spinners

Any signs that have moving parts will catch the eye of passersby. Then, you can lean on your messaging to draw them into the store.

2. Make bold statements with wall murals

An dazzling use of signage is to turn a store's walls into advertising space with large-scale murals. These are bold, and require a lot of planning and skilled execution. Although wall murals are not all that common in the retail space they will certainly stand out and can be an excellent way to draw the eye and, potentially, more foot traffic.

Murals can feature images that reflect your brand, promote a seasonal campaign, or showcase an important product. Of course, they are hard to update and can be subject to weathering - so be careful with your design. In addition to this, local planning laws may restrict your usage of wall murals, so check before using this type of shopfront advertising.

3. Include your USP in your signage

Sometimes, the simplest approach is the best, and for your store, that may be letting people know what makes you special right off the bat.

Some businesses highlight their unique selling point within their signage, which might include:

• The 'original' or oldest store in town
• Featured on a TV show or movie
• Based in a historic building or location
• Famous for a unique product, service or celebrity association
• Unique decor or design

All these are cool perks that people might appreciate or even be drawn to. So put it up there and draw in curious customers.

4. Create storefront displays with live models

Manto Bride, a clothing store in Dubai recently went viral for having a live model pose as a mannequin in a window display. While this might not work for every retail business, or even be a viable option long term, it can be a great talking point and a way to build a buzz.

An idea like this would be ideal for periods when you expect a larger influx of people in your store area - for example during a special occasion or seasonal event.

Using digital signage to increase foot traffic

Studies have found that digital signage can drive sales up by up to 30%. So when it comes to the increasingly competitive high street, there is a clear case for adopting screen based signage for anything from window displays to in-store promotions.

With that said, simply setting up digital signs and hoping to see an increase in foot traffic won't bring the best results. Knowing some strategies and approaches to appeal to both new and existing customers, and how they interact with your store, can greatly influence customer behavior.

1. Bring online shoppers to the real world

Statistics are mixed, but studies find that between 30 to 50% of shoppers prefer to do their shopping online. But people still want to interact with a physical store and check products out before they buy.

Digital signage can connect people to your online catalog, your customer support team or even drive people from online sales to an in store experience.

QR codes are a simple way to share everything from product catalogs, loyalty and rewards or links to your social media platforms or newsletter signup.

And touchscreen kiosks are also a great way to help people locate what they need without needing to search a busy store. Digital signage can also be used for customers picking up their online orders in store or even ordering for home delivery.

2. Set up interactive product demos

You can pair digital signage with interactive product demos to allow customers to engage with your products. By using screens, you can provide an immersive experience where customers explore product features, watch tutorials, or even view how-to videos.

Position these interactive screens in key areas of the store to catch the attention of shoppers. They're particularly effective for showcasing new or complex products, as they offer an opportunity to educate customers while creating a memorable shopping experience.

Make sure to add QR codes so they can find out more, sign up for updates or even get their hands on the product.

3. Use screens for wayfinding

Wayfinding is more than just giving directions. It can be a way to signpost specific areas of your store, showcase a specific product or guide people towards other in store experiences.

Because digital signage is a versatile medium, it's simple to add other elements to your signage. Whether that's directing people to the changing rooms or checkout, or simply guiding them into your store in the first place.

4. Create stunning video walls

Large video walls can be used to create immersive, eye-catching content that draws attention from across the store. Use these displays to feature brand stories, social media feeds, or exclusive content that creates a memorable experience for customers. 

Many larger retail brands are installing video walls in their stores, especially flagship locations.

Read more: Set Up a Digital Signage Video Wall with ScreenCloud

5. Create dazzling window displays

Combine your digital signage with your store’s window space to achieve some truly remarkable results. Unlike traditional static signage, digital window displays allow you to showcase moving visuals, product videos, and interactive elements that capture attention, even from a distance. 

Create content that reveals real-time promotions, reflects current stock or limited time offers in your store.

Read more: How to Make Digital Signage Window Displays

6. Showcase dynamic promotions

If you already have digital signage screens in your retail space, it only makes sense to use them for product promotions.

Dynamic promotions can be great during busy period where you can highlight popular products or flash sales. These time-sensitive offers create a sense of urgency and can motivate shoppers to act quickly, driving immediate sales.

ScreenCloud makes it easy to quickly create and launch last minute content. Using our Quick Post app means you can simply add the content and images, and the app creates professional looking and perfectly formatted content in seconds.

Launch world class retail digital signage in your store

As we've seen, there are many types of retail signage. Using digital signage can really elevate your in store experience, draw in more foot traffic and enable your business to create strong branded content quickly and easily.

ScreenCloud offers unmatched flexibility, simplicity, security and helps you manage content across multiple locations, stress free. Create content remotely for one or more stores or zones, and quickly share your content without fiddly USB sticks or screen glitches.

Easily setup your digital signage network, with no technical knowhow required. And whats more, you can scale up your signage network with no hassle, using consumer grade hardware such as TVs and readily available media players.

There's a reason why more businesses trust ScreenCloud with their digital signage.

Sign up for your free 14-day trial now.