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The “Ask Me About” Button Gets a Digital Upgrade
iCOMPEL™ WDS: Wearable Digital Signage features a 2.4” LCD player that you can attach to your shirt via a magnetic clasp. According to the Blackbox website, you can: 
» Upload media and assemble loops via their web interface.
» Create digital tags that attract attention. Apply special effects and add scrolling text with your logo and branding.
» Complement your existing in-store digital signage system.

Is this product a useful tool for an in-store marketing campaign, or just another distraction from real customer service that people are looking for? How annoying would it be to ask a salesperson a question about a particular product while a video for 50% off clearance winter clothing plays on their lapel? Or does this type of distractive technology have a place in the retail environment?

Digital shelf talkers (like iShelf) are also becoming more prevalent in grocery and discount stores. Does anyone make purchase decisions based on in-store digital shelf displays, or are they just another noisy distraction? According to a Nielsen Media Survey, 44 percent of shoppers agree that in-store television could influence them to buy the advertised product versus the item they planned on purchasing. Other than the Nielsen survey, there is very little data available to gauge the effectiveness of any in-store digital media. There is, however, high demand for the technology. ABI Research recently reported that the global market for digital signage technology will reach an impressive $4.5 billion in 2016, roughly triple the $1.3 billion spent in 2010.

My point in all of this is to have a marketing plan in place first before investing in the latest technologies like Wearable Digital Signage or iShelf to deliver your message. Does your customer want to be engaged by these products or do they prefer one-on-one methods? Thorough research will give you those answers and help you connect with your customer by their preferred method.