The Facts
Customer: Clear Channel
Result: 620 retail digital advertising and display units installed as part of a large-scale digital display installation programme at 300+ Sainsbury’s stores
Timeframe: Ongoing
Constraints: Excavation works and minimising disruption.
Completion: End of 2025
The Challenge
A leading supplier of retail digital displays systems, Clear Channel, contacted Sigma’s M&E team to replace and install (refresh) 310 new in-store advertising digital display units, at 300+ Sainsbury’s supermarkets. The new waferlite displays are 50% more energy efficient.
While on the project, the team was also asked to install (New) 56 external digital display screens and 259 New gondola end digital display units.
These works formed part of a wider programme of M&E installations, with external works requiring excavation and internal installations needing to be completed with minimal disruption to the store.
The Solution
The M&E team liaised with Clear Channel to develop a delivery solution for the rollout of the installations, aligning with Sigma’s approach to nationwide installation services. Emphasis was placed on avoiding disruption to store openings and customers.
While the digital display installation process for each unit fundamentally remained the same, many aspects of the project differed depending on the location and position.
In-store installations required four operatives, two electricians, a labourer and a site foreman, while external installations required four ground workers to carry out excavations, plus a site manager and two electricians.
Sigma M&E also managed full logistic of the units, implementing collection and delivery of the units from holding to delivery to store tracking and providing updates to Clear Channel. This formed part of Sigma’s structured delivery model for M&E installations across multiple sites.
The works were completed following full H&S standards expected from a principle contractor level and suitable for a large-scale retail digital display rollout.
The Result
To date, the M&E team has successfully installed in excess of 600 display units as part of this ongoing retail digital display programme. The strong relationship with Clear Channel has led to further projects across Sainsbury’s stores. Work includes installing digital advertising display screens in 22 lobby screens and a 5–store trial installation of a shop window unit in a Sainsbury’s convenience store, with the potential for a further 300.
Additionally, we have installed 2 screens in shopping centres (Derbion Centre, Teesside Shopping Centre) and are currently reviewing 57 British Land and Cribbs causeway refresh screen due to start July 2025, reinforcing Sigma’s capability in nationwide installation services.