Touch or Non-Touch Displays: Which is Best for Retail Environments?
Choosing between touch and non-touch displays for your retail environment can feel like a tricky decision, especially when you’re thinking about customer experience and operational efficiency.
You want something that resonates with your customers while making things easier for your team. Here are the main factors that can help you make the best choice.
Understanding the Retail Environment and Customer Behavior
First things first—your display setup depends a lot on the type of retail space you’re running.
- Are you in a high-traffic mall or a quieter boutique?
- Do customers typically browse on their own, or do they engage more with sales associates?
For high-traffic areas, non-touch displays can work well. Think of those huge screens you often see in shopping malls showing promotions or upcoming events. They’re great for grabbing attention without requiring direct interaction.
These are ideal for places where you want to simply display information or advertise products without the need for individual engagement.
However, if you’re running a store where customers expect a more hands-on shopping experience—like a tech store or a boutique where personal customization is key—a touch display could be a game-changer.
It will allow your customers to interact smoothly, browse through products, customize items, and even place orders without much effort.
Operational Needs: Ease of Management and Maintenance
Here’s the thing—touch and non-touch displays come with different operational needs.
Touch displays often require more maintenance. For example, cleaning the screen regularly is crucial for maintaining a pleasant experience for customers. If you’re in a store with a lot of foot traffic, there’s also the possibility of the screens getting damaged over time.
Non-touch displays, on the other hand, tend to be easier to maintain. Without the added complexity of touch functionality, they can be more reliable and cost-effective in the long run. If you have a smaller team or want to minimize technical issues, non-touch might be the simpler choice.
Customer Experience: What’s Right for Your Brand?
Now, let’s talk about the customer experience.
It’s not just about choosing a display type—it’s about how the display fits into the overall shopping journey. If your goal is to engage customers on a deeper level, a touch display could be your best bet.
Think about it: customers get to interact with the display, get more info, and even make a purchase all without leaving the spot. This type of engagement can drive conversions and make shopping feel more personalized.
But, if you’re aiming for something that’s easy, simple, and effective—where customers just need to glance at the display to get what they need—non-touch displays are the way to go.
These can serve as powerful tools for information and advertising without complicating the experience.
Key Takeaways: So, Which Should You Choose?
- Choose touch displays if you want to encourage interaction, offer product customization, or need to provide a more immersive experience.
- Choose non-touch displays if you need an easy-to-maintain, eye-catching option for quick information display or advertising in high-traffic areas.
FAQs
1. Can I combine touch and non-touch displays in my store?
Yes, many stores use both types of displays in different areas. For instance, non-touch displays can be placed in high-traffic zones, while touch displays are used at product stations for a deeper engagement.
2. Are touch displays more expensive than non-touch ones?
Generally, yes. Touch displays tend to be pricier due to the added technology and functionality. However, this might be worth it if customer interaction is a priority for you.
