ASEAN Shake-Up, Acquisitions and New Hardware Reshape Digital Signage in 2026
The digital signage industry is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, driven by shifting competitive dynamics in Asia, a wave of consolidation across Europe, and fresh hardware innovations from established players. The convergence of these trends is redefining what integrators and end-users can expect from the market.
At Infocomm Asia in Bangkok, the absence of traditional heavyweights like Samsung and LG was conspicuous. In their place, Chinese manufacturers Skyworth and BOE commanded attention with unexpectedly deep portfolios. Skyworth unveiled LCD displays spanning 22 to 98 inches alongside video walls, kiosks and two proprietary content management platforms — a breadth that now rivals established signage vendors. BOE pushed into the ePaper segment with a nearly 32-inch display, bringing paper-like screens firmly into mainstream signage, and also showed a refined 32-inch Slim Line unit with exceptional industrial design, thin bezels and shallow installation depth. The message is unmistakable: Chinese competitors are closing the quality and technology gap, and the battle for ASEAN is heating up.
On the hardware front, Epson has countered with a refreshed laser display lineup comprising ten new PowerLite and BrightLink projectors. The range spans standard throw, ultra short throw and portable models, all built on the company's proprietary three-chip 3LCD technology. Features include full HD resolution, 4K Enhancement and simplified wireless casting. Remi Del Mar, group product manager at Epson America, noted that users increasingly expect large, high-quality images without complex setup, and the new lineup is designed to deliver exactly that while reducing environmental impact.
The consolidation trend is equally pronounced. British ProAV firm IUF has acquired AV integrator Project Audio Visual through a pre-pack administration, folding it into a newly formed division called IUF Workplaces. The deal protects PAV's customer continuity while giving it access to IUF's international reach and managed services. CEO Josh Bunce described the acquisition as a step-change in the company's ability to deliver seamless digital solutions across workplace projects. The move follows IUF's February 2026 opening of a Hamburg office, underscoring its European expansion ambitions.
Meanwhile, Zetadisplay has acquired Berlin-based Retailmediatools, a retail media SaaS infrastructure platform. The acquisition — the Swedish systems integrator's third in the DACH region — strengthens Zetadisplay's position as a full-service provider spanning both digital signage and retail media. Retail media has emerged as a critical growth engine for the signage industry, and the deal signals that integrators see platform ownership as essential to capturing that value.
Taken together, these developments paint a picture of an industry in motion. New entrants from China are forcing incumbents to raise their game on product design and value, while hardware innovation from companies like Epson keeps projection relevant alongside flat panels. At the same time, a wave of strategic acquisitions is creating larger, more capable integrators with the scale and software assets to serve demanding enterprise and retail clients. The next 12 months will reveal which of these trends carries the most momentum.