From Drive-Thrus to Travel Stops: How C-Stores are Doing Digital Signs

In the gas station and convenience store segments, signage is a major source of income. Without appropriate signs directing traffic to and through your store, and sharing prices and brand names, you will not make any profit. Signs indicate all things for a business by making it easier for customers to shop.

If your sign is not digital, you are already behind on the tech curve. Customers expect to have up-to-date facilities including signs—and if your competitors are all digitized, what’s the wait? Here are some reasons why you want to upgrade to digital signs in 2022 for your c-store or fuel station.

Quick Service Drive-Thrus

The biggest area where digital signage boomed in the last year was in stores with drive-thru windows. Here the customer expects to see the latest offerings on a lit-up menu with crystal-clear imaging. Drive-thru service became the go-to with the pandemic when all in-house dining dried up completely.

To minimize time waiting in line, digital signage along with QR codes via mobile apps, are the biggest trend. Companies hoping to stay open during the pandemic pretty much have to have a contactless point of sale—and digital signage fills that void. Expectations in the coming years include more advanced QR codes and digital signs that are interactive for businesses to improve their customer service.

Transportation Staying Up to Speed

The trucking and transportation industries did not change much with the pandemic of COVID-19. Truckers still had to make deliveries, and public transportation services were also in operation. However, there have been changes to these work environments, and that is where digital signage plays an important role.

To help direct truck drivers and other commercial carriers into and around gas stations and convenience stores, digital signs need to be installed. Other technologies like digital signage sensors utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and network connectivity. This reduces friction inside stores, which, according to Bill Zimmer of 360 Live Media, is the way of the future.

Travel Expectations are Great

There is also the consideration that perhaps travel will boom again within the next five years. Carol McGury, who is currently working in event and education services at Smithbucklin, has one professional prediction. "In the transportation segment, there is a huge population that will travel in record numbers in the next five years. Hospitality benefits from the travel surge and the events industry has been a leader in digital signage, but many venues will need to upgrade since their existing technologies have hit their useful life,” said McGury.

Here is where convenience stores and gas stations must be ready to move at the moment travel booms. After all, that is the industry that provides fuel stops with so much of their income—mainly through the use of c-store convenience items. Plan ahead and stay ready with the right digital signage for your business. Let PWM’s high-quality electronic price signs lead the way! Contact us to request a quote for services.