The holiday season is a golden opportunity for restaurants, bars, and venues to boost revenue and create memorable guest experiences. With so many options available to consumers, standing out is key—and that’s where digital signage shines. From driving impulse purchases to increasing gift card sales, digital signage is a versatile tool that can transform your holiday strategy. Here’s how to use it to maximize profits and delight your guests this season.
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Dynamic Digital Signage
Digital signage isn’t just about looking good—it’s about working smarter. This holiday season, let your screens do the talking. Use them to:
- Promote Seasonal Specials: Showcase festive menu items or drinks like spiced mulled wine, peppermint martinis, or decadent holiday desserts.
- Highlight Holiday Events: Advertise upcoming events like trivia nights, karaoke, or live music to keep your venue bustling.
- Celebrate the Atmosphere: Add holiday animations, snowflake effects, or countdowns to key dates like Christmas and New Year’s Eve to create an immersive and festive vibe.
- Do the Heavy Lifting During the holiday rush, staff often don’t have time to upsell or promote every special. Digital signage serves as a silent salesperson, ensuring guests are aware of all the great offerings without relying solely on busy staff.
Drive Revenue with Cross-Promotions, Upselling, and Impulse Buys
The holidays are a time for indulgence, so help guests say “yes” to that extra treat.
- Pair Offerings: Suggest appetizers with seasonal cocktails or desserts with main courses. For example, “Pair your turkey dinner with our cranberry old fashioned!”
- Bundle Gift Card Promotions: Encourage gift card purchases with enticing deals. “Buy a $50 gift card and get a free appetizer coupon!” or “Get $10 free for every $50 gift card purchase!” These promotions can be highlighted on your digital signage near entryways, at the bar, or on table displays. Interested in more gift card strategies? Check out our blog “How to Make Gift Cards Your Winning Holiday Strategy“
- Sell Limited-Time Items: Showcase items exclusive to the holiday season, such as branded merchandise, holiday gift boxes, or signature holiday drinks.
Place these promotions in high-visibility areas like near the entrance, bar, and checkout counter to ensure maximum exposure.
Create Urgency with Time-Sensitive Promotions
Impulse purchases are more likely when customers feel a sense of urgency. Digital signage can help you capitalize on this by:
- Featuring countdowns for limited-time deals, like “2 hours left to try our holiday sangria!”
- Promoting flash sales for on-the-spot bookings of private holiday parties or reservations.
- Displaying real-time updates like “Only 5 gift cards left with bonus rewards today!”
Measure Success to Maximize ROI
Digital signage isn’t just a tool for the moment—it’s a way to gather insights for the future. Track the impact of your holiday campaigns by:
- Integrating QR codes for gift card purchases or holiday promotions.
- Using unique promo codes displayed on your signage to measure redemption rates.
- Monitor which deals drive the most engagement and sales, so you can adjust messaging based on top performers and refine your strategies next year. Refine your strategy for next year to boost ROI.
A Profitable Holiday Season Starts Here
Digital signage is more than a visual tool—it’s a strategic partner in driving profitability and enhancing the guest experience. By using it to promote specials, sell gift cards, and streamline messaging, you can make this holiday season one to remember—for both your guests and your bottom line.
Want to explore maximizing your holiday profits even further? Check out these blogs:
- How Are You Making Your Holidays As Profitable As Possible?
- How to Maximize Profit During the Holidays
Ready to make the most of your holiday strategy? Contact Control Play to learn how our digital signage solutions can help your venue shine this season and beyond!
