Let’s skip the fluff: digital signage in 2025 is no longer a novelty or a pilot project. It’s infrastructure. Whether you’re in retail, transit, education, or healthcare, the screens on your walls are either pulling their weight, or wasting your money. To help you cut through the noise, I’ve pulled together 10 digital signage stats, backed by real industry data and on-the-ground insight, that actually mean something this year.
Not sales pitch fluff. Just the numbers (and takeaways) that tell you where things are going—and whether you’re keeping up.
1. The Market Is Booming
Let’s start big: the global digital signage market hit $21.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $35.7 billion by 2030, growing at an 8.5% CAGR. For comparison, that’s bigger than the global podcast market, and not far behind streaming video.
The surge isn’t coming from one flashy niche. It’s a steady expansion across verticals: retail, healthcare, transport, education, and corporate communications are all driving adoption. The need for dynamic, real-time content is everywhere.
Key Takeaways:
If you’re treating digital signage as a “nice-to-have,” you’re out of step with the market.
Even conservative sectors (think hospitals, banks) are investing heavily now.
This is your green light to scale—strategically.
2. Retail Still Leads, But Healthcare and Transport Are Catching Up
Retail remains king with 25% of global signage spend, but healthcare (15%), hospitality (18%), and transportation (12%) are growing faster. And it’s not just big-box stores anymore. We’re seeing strong growth in convenience chains, pharmacies, and QSRs.
In healthcare and transit, it’s about more than ads: wayfinding, wait-time boards, and real-time service updates are improving operations and experience.
Key Takeaways:
Don’t sleep on non-retail sectors. They’re ripe for growth and still fragmented.
If you’re selling signage solutions, think beyond promotional use cases.
Stakeholders care about patient flow, traveler satisfaction, and operational ROI.
3. SaaS Is the Default Now
65% of new signage deployments now use cloud-based software. The shift to SaaS means faster rollouts, simpler updates, and fewer support headaches. It also makes it easier to manage large, multi-location networks—without babysitting local hardware.
And let’s be honest, most legacy systems weren’t built for today’s needs. If you’re still FTP-ing video files or dealing with clunky, on-prem CMSs, you’re playing on hard mode. Don’t ignore the latest digital signage stats and trends!
Key Takeaways:
Cloud-first signage software = agility, scale, and security.
Don’t ignore total cost of ownership (TCO). SaaS wins over time.
IT departments will love you for choosing modern infrastructure.
4. Interactive Signage Is Finally Delivering Value
Touchscreens aren’t just showroom gimmicks anymore. Interactive digital signage deployments are up 42% since 2022. Think self-checkouts, directories, digital catalogs, even hospital check-ins.
That said, UX still makes or breaks these systems. If it’s slow, buggy, or overdesigned, people will walk away faster than you can say “loading spinner.”
Key Takeaways:
Focus on intuitive, frictionless design—especially in high-stress environments like airports or hospitals.
Touch doesn’t have to mean full-on kiosks. Even basic engagement tools like QR-triggered content count.
Test with real users. Not just your project team.
5. Programmatic DOOH Is Growing Up Fast
Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising pulled in $15.9B globally in 2024, with programmatic transactions now accounting for 31% of spend, up from just 12% in 2021. That’s a massive shift toward automated, data-driven ad buying.
We’re talking real-time triggers, audience-based targeting, weather- and time-based content swaps—things static loops just can’t do.
Key Takeaways:
If you’re in signage and not thinking about ad monetization, you’re leaving money on the table.
Advertisers demand accountability. Programmatic DOOH delivers the attribution they expect.
Expect more CMS vendors to build SSP/DSP integrations directly into their platforms.
Looking to ride the digital signage wave? Book a free consultation!
6. RMNs Are Exploding—But Most Will Fail
Retail Media Networks grew by 53% last year, and leading retailers report 2.8x higher conversion rates for in-store digital signage campaigns. Sounds great, right?
Here’s the rub: Amazon and Walmart still command over 84% of total RMN ad spend. Most smaller players are struggling with data gaps, lack of standardization, and tech that doesn’t scale.
Key Takeaways:
RMN success depends on data quality, not just screen count.
Brands want closed-loop attribution. Retailers that can’t deliver will get cut.
RMNs should provide utility (menu boards, wayfinding, info screens), not just ads.
7. LED Is Overtaking LCD in Key Segments
The days of LED being “premium only” are fading fast. It’s now growing at 11.2% CAGR, fueled by better visual performance and falling costs. Fine-pitch indoor LEDs are more affordable than ever, and outdoor installations are shifting away from LCD altogether.
Whether it’s a massive video wall or a storefront ribbon display, LED’s flexibility is unbeatable.
Key Takeaways:
LED is no longer out of reach for midsize rollouts.
Lower TCO and longer lifespan make LED worth the upfront investment.
Bonus: no bezels, higher brightness, and more durability outdoors.
8. SoC Displays Are Quietly Taking Over
System-on-Chip (SoC) displays—screens with built-in media players—are everywhere now, especially in retail, QSR, and education environments. They’re cheaper, simpler, and more energy efficient than traditional media player setups.
Vendors like Samsung, LG, and Philips are making SoC the default. And you can now run surprisingly robust signage platforms directly from the screen itself.
Key Takeaways:
SoC = faster installs, fewer points of failure, easier maintenance.
Great fit for networks with limited IT support or tight budgets.
Just make sure your CMS supports SoC deployment natively.
9. Energy Efficiency Is the New Table Stakes
Signage tech has gotten greener. Today’s hardware uses ~30% less energy than five years ago, driven by better power management, SoC architecture, and smarter scheduling.
With sustainability baked into more procurement processes, “green signage” is now a competitive advantage.
Key Takeaways:
Energy-efficient tech isn’t just about savings—it’s about sales.
Don’t overlook scheduling and brightness controls as part of the energy conversation.
Sustainability is starting to show up in RFP scoring.
10. The ROI Still Slaps
Retailers using digital signage report a 24% to 38% lift in sales for promoted items. That’s not theoretical. That’s in-store, real-world performance.
It’s not just about flashy screens. It’s about timely, relevant content, placed where it matters—endcaps, aisles, checkouts. When done right, signage drives results.
Key Takeaways:
Content matters. Bad content = bad ROI.
Test and iterate. What works in Store A may flop in Store B.
Start with promotions that are already proven winners.
Final Word: You’re Either Moving Forward—or Falling Behind
If these numbers made you feel like you’ve got some catching up to do, good. Better now than six months from now. The digital signage industry isn’t slowing down—and neither are your competitors.
Need help making sense of your signage strategy? Whether you’re overhauling a dated network or just trying to prove ROI to your boss, I can help.
📩 Let’s chat. I offer strategy sessions, audits, and guidance tailored to retail, healthcare, hospitality, and any brand serious about making signage work harder.
FAQ
What’s the difference between digital signage and digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising?
Digital signage is any screen-based system used to communicate or display content in a physical space—think menus, wayfinding, or employee updates. DOOH refers specifically to ad-based content on public screens, like billboards or transit displays. The key distinction? DOOH sells impressions. Digital signage serves messages. That said, the two are increasingly blending thanks to programmatic tools.
Is digital signage still worth the investment in 2025?
Absolutely—especially if you’re using it strategically. With cloud-based software, energy-efficient hardware, and content automation, modern signage delivers real ROI. We’re seeing 24–38% sales lifts in retail and major engagement improvements in healthcare and corporate environments. But the key is this: bad content on a great screen is still bad signage. Execution matters.
How do I choose the right digital signage software?
Start with your use case. Are you managing menus across 100 locations? Delivering emergency alerts on a campus? Launching a retail media network? Look for platforms that support system-on-chip displays, allow remote content management, and offer real-time analytics. Bonus points if it integrates with your existing systems. Need help vetting options? That’s literally what I do.
