Dutch firm Philips has introduced digital signage that incorporates queue management and people counting to help retailers maintain social distancing.

Designed to help public settings across EMEA, including retail stores, supermarkets and cinemas, monitor and manage footfall for the safety of customers and staff, these are already being trialled with Philips customers in countries across Europe.

With health officials recommending social distancing of at least two metres, businesses – particularly those with a high footfall – are being urged to implement strict measures around capacity and crowding to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Philips Professional Display has brought the strength of its partnerships with software and peripherals providers together with its Android displays to deliver a series of easy-to-install and digital signs. Designed to fit settings with one or several points of entry, the signs will provide visibility on the number of people entering and exiting a building, as well as introducing queue management, informing and engaging customers at the same time.

Kersten Retail Techniek, one of the largest retail installers in the Benelux region – supporting brands such as H&M, Primark, Footlocker, Douglas, Sting and van Haren (Deichmann) – is already introducing the signs across stores, while conversations with a number of organisations are taking place in Europe.

“Something as simple as visiting a supermarket or entering a leisure setting may now require a new level of thought, from queuing up outside to following marked-out routes,” said Roeland Scholten from Philips Professional Display. “It can be confusing and intimidating for some; communication is vital. Technology can play a huge role in ensuring the current rules and guidelines are maintained and that customers and staff feel confident, safe and well informed at all times as they make moves back into a new normal.”

Powered by Android, the digital signage and professional TVs provide opportunities. The flexible and secure Android SoC is open to partners and developers to add and integrate their own API and software features, bringing more choice.

The complete queue management provides a wide and varied choice of options and opportunities for companies, whether in retail, corporate, hospitality, education, healthcare or other.

Installed at the building entrances, the displays can be programmed to provide customers and staff with clear information around capacity, alerting them whether it’s safe or not safe to enter. In addition, information can be broadcast via audio and even a traffic light system (red, amber and green), improving inclusivity.

Information is automatically calculated using smart people counting cameras positioned at entrances, as well as the option to supplement these around other parts of the building. This can be used to feed information on expected wait times, as well as promotional messaging, onto additional displays positioned in shop windows along any queues.

The signs can even be integrated into a venue’s automatic doors, opening and closing based on capacity, potentially freeing up staff from managing queues.

Philips’ control and management software, CMND, allows for single and multiple displays to create and share information, providing control locally and remotely.

“Even during this lockdown, people still need to visit stores, so it’s crucial we ensure they feel safe and comfortable in doing so,” said Kersten Retail CEO Ronald Kuypers.