Digital signage has evolved from a novel technology to essential business infrastructure. Whether in retail, healthcare, education, or transportation, the screens on your walls now need to deliver measurable results.
As someone who has personally consulted on over 50 digital signage implementations across various industries, I’ve witnessed firsthand how this technology has transformed from simple digital displays to sophisticated, data-driven communication tools. To help you make informed decisions, I’ve compiled 10 digital signage statistics for 2025 that genuinely impact your bottom line.
These aren’t just impressive numbers. Each statistic is backed by reliable industry research and my own on-the-ground experience, providing actionable insights about where the industry is heading and whether your digital signage strategy is keeping pace.
1. The Market Has Reached Critical Mass: $21.8 Billion and Growing
The global digital signage market reached $21.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit $35.7 billion by 2030, with an 8.5% CAGR. For context, that’s already larger than the global podcast market and rapidly approaching streaming video market size.
This growth stems from steady expansion across all major sectors. Retail, healthcare, education, corporate communications, and transportation are all driving adoption as they recognize the need for dynamic, real-time content delivery systems.
What This Means For You:
- If you’re still treating digital signage as optional, you’re falling behind the competition
- Even traditionally conservative sectors like healthcare and banking are now investing heavily
- This growth confirms it’s time to scale strategically, not question whether to adopt
2. Industry Distribution is Shifting: Retail Leads, But Healthcare and Transport Are Gaining Fast
Retail still commands 25% of global signage spend, but healthcare (15%), hospitality (18%), and transportation (12%) are growing at faster rates. The retail segment itself is diversifying beyond big-box stores, with significant growth in convenience stores, pharmacies, and quick-service restaurants.
In my work with several major hospital networks, I’ve observed that healthcare implementations focus on more than advertising—wayfinding, wait-time displays, and patient information systems are delivering measurable improvements in both operations and patient experience.
What This Means For You:
- Non-retail sectors represent the biggest growth opportunities in 2025
- If you’re selling signage solutions, look beyond promotional use cases
- Decision-makers increasingly care about operational efficiency, not just advertising potential
- Healthcare and transit projects typically have larger budgets and longer commitment periods
3. Cloud-Based Software Dominates: 65% of New Deployments
The shift to SaaS digital signage platforms is nearly complete, with 65% of new deployments now using cloud-based software. This transition enables faster implementation, simpler updates, and fewer technical headaches while making it easier to manage large, multi-location networks without extensive IT infrastructure.
In my recent project with a national retail chain, we migrated from their legacy on-premise system to a cloud solution, cutting content deployment time from days to minutes while reducing total IT support tickets by 78% in the first quarter.
What This Means For You:
- Cloud-first signage platforms deliver superior agility, scalability, and security
- When calculating ROI, consider total cost of ownership—cloud solutions typically win over time
- IT departments overwhelmingly prefer modern infrastructure that integrates with existing cloud systems
- Legacy systems with FTP file transfers and on-premise CMS platforms are rapidly becoming obsolete
4. Interactive Signage Delivers Measurable Value: Deployments Up 42%
Interactive digital signage implementations have increased 42% since 2022. These aren’t merely flashy additions—they’re delivering practical value through self-checkout systems, interactive directories, digital product catalogs, hospital check-ins, and more.
However, the user experience quality still determines success or failure. During user testing sessions I conducted for a shopping mall client, we discovered that reducing the number of screen touches to complete common tasks by just one interaction increased completion rates by 36%.
What This Means For You:
- Focus on intuitive, frictionless design—especially in high-stress environments like airports or hospitals
- Interactive elements don’t require expensive kiosks; even basic QR-triggered content counts
- Always test with real users, not just your project team or stakeholders
- Set clear KPIs for interactive elements (completion rates, average session time, conversions)
5. Programmatic DOOH Reaches Maturity: 31% of DOOH Spend Now Programmatic
Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising generated $15.9 billion globally in 2024, with programmatic transactions accounting for 31% of spend—up dramatically from just 12% in 2021. This represents a significant shift toward automated, data-driven ad buying.
Modern programmatic DOOH enables real-time triggers, audience-based targeting, and dynamic content based on factors like weather conditions, time of day, or local events—capabilities that static rotation systems simply can’t match.
What This Means For You:
- If your digital signage network isn’t considering ad monetization, you’re leaving revenue on the table
- Advertisers increasingly demand accountability and metrics similar to online advertising
- Expect to see more CMS vendors building SSP/DSP integrations directly into their platforms
- First-party data collection is becoming critical for effective targeting
Looking to ride the digital signage wave? Book a free consultation!
6. Retail Media Networks Are Booming—But Most Will Fail
Retail Media Networks saw 53% growth last year, with leading retailers reporting 2.8× higher conversion rates for in-store digital signage campaigns compared to traditional marketing. However, Amazon and Walmart still command over 84% of total RMN ad spend.
Having consulted on three RMN launches in the past year, I’ve observed that most smaller players struggle with data quality issues, lack of standardization, and technology that doesn’t scale effectively.
What This Means For You:
- RMN success depends more on data quality than screen quantity
- Brands want closed-loop attribution that connects in-store digital exposure to sales
- Successful RMNs provide utility (menu boards, wayfinding, information) alongside advertising
- Mid-size retailers should consider partnering rather than building from scratch
7. LED Overtakes LCD in Key Segments: Growing at 11.2% CAGR
LED display technology is no longer limited to premium installations. It’s now growing at an 11.2% CAGR, driven by better visual performance and falling costs. Fine-pitch indoor LEDs have become more affordable than ever, while outdoor installations are shifting away from LCD technology entirely.
In a recent side-by-side comparison test I conducted for a corporate client, LED displays delivered 38% better visibility in high-ambient light environments compared to equivalent LCD screens.
What This Means For You:
- LED is now financially viable for mid-size deployments
- Lower total cost of ownership and longer lifespan make LED worth the upfront investment
- Advantages include no bezels, higher brightness, better outdoor performance, and more flexible form factors
- Consider hybrid approaches with LED for showcase areas and LCD for standard applications
8. System-on-Chip Displays Become Standard: Lower Costs, Fewer Failure Points
System-on-Chip (SoC) displays—screens with built-in media players—have become ubiquitous, particularly in retail, quick-service restaurants, and education environments. Major manufacturers like Samsung, LG, and Philips now make SoC their default configuration.
During a recent 250-location rollout I managed for a national restaurant chain, switching to SoC displays reduced hardware costs by 22% while cutting installation time per location from 4 hours to just 45 minutes.
What This Means For You:
- SoC means faster installations, fewer points of failure, and easier maintenance
- Particularly well-suited for networks with limited IT support or tight budgets
- Verify that your content management system supports SoC deployment natively
- Consider lifecycle costs—SoC displays typically consume less power and require fewer replacement parts
9. Energy Efficiency Becomes a Competitive Advantage
Today’s digital signage hardware uses approximately 30% less energy than systems from five years ago, driven by advances in power management, SoC architecture, and intelligent scheduling.
With sustainability metrics increasingly incorporated into procurement processes, energy-efficient digital signage has evolved from a nice-to-have feature to a competitive advantage in RFP evaluations.
What This Means For You:
- Energy-efficient technology isn’t just about cost savings—it’s becoming a sales differentiator
- Don’t overlook content scheduling and brightness controls as part of your energy strategy
- Sustainability performance is increasingly appearing in formal RFP scoring criteria
- Be prepared to document and quantify energy savings in proposals
10. ROI Remains Compelling: 24-38% Sales Lift for Promoted Items
Retailers implementing digital signage consistently report a 24-38% increase in sales for items featured on screens. This isn’t theoretical data—it represents actual in-store performance metrics across multiple retail categories.
In an A/B test I conducted for a specialty retailer, endcap displays with digital signage outperformed traditional signage by 32.5% for the same products at the same price points.
What This Means For You:
- Content quality directly impacts ROI—poor content equals poor returns
- Test and iterate your content strategy, as performance varies significantly by location and audience
- Start with promoting items that have historically performed well with traditional marketing
- Set up control locations to accurately measure lift, if possible
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.
