Retail

Case Study: Sam’s Club - Tire & Battery Digital Signage

Introduction

Sam’s Club, a membership-based warehouse retailer, recognized the need to modernize communication inside its Tire & Battery Centers (TBC). For years, paper signage was used to display menu items and promotions. This approach was costly, time-consuming, and lacked flexibility for rapid updates.

With guidance from Wovenmedia (software partner) and CE Labs (hardware and deployment partner), Sam’s Club transitioned from static posters to digital menu boards. This partnership enabled nationwide deployment of a consistent, high-quality solution that improved member engagement while streamlining operational costs.

By partnering with CE Labs, Wovenmedia ensured that their content strategy was backed by proven AV hardware and deployment expertise, guaranteeing reliability at scale.

The Retail Challenge

Sam’s Club faced a recurring issue with its paper-based signage in Tire & Battery Centers:

• Slow Updates: Every change required reprinting, shipping, and physical installation.
• High Costs: Printing, freight, and labor expenses accumulated with each update.
• Inconsistency: Rollouts varied across ~600 locations, creating uneven branding.
• Limited Impact: Static boards couldn’t deliver motion graphics, dynamic pricing, or audio cues to better inform members.

Sam’s Club wanted a scalable, modern solution that allowed corporate teams to update content instantly, while improving the in-store experience.

Phase 1: Initial Deployment

Hardware & Setup

The standard deployment included:

• (2) 55″ LG Commercial Displays
• (2) CE Labs MP90 Media Players
• (1) Dual-Screen Mounting Bracket
• (1–2) Extension Poles (3–12 ft, ceiling survey-based)
• (1) I-Beam Clamp & optional threaded coupler
• (1) Directional Speaker + Compact Amplifier (w/ speaker wire)
• (1) Sound Bar Bracket
• HDMI & Molex cabling, data cabling (up to 400 ft Cat5/6)

Displays were mounted side-by-side, suspended at ~10 ft height for optimal visibility. One screen played video promotions with audio directed at the service counter, while the second screen displayed static menu/service listings.

CE Labs’ Role

• Engineering & Documentation: Developed full installation manuals, wiring diagrams, and installer checklists.
• Kit Assembly: Pre-configured and shipped standardized kits to each club.
• Remote Commissioning: Help Desk assisted installers with player registration, content sync, and network validation.
• Quality Control: Ensured video loops, directional audio, and menu screens displayed as intended.

Installation Process

• Performed after-hours (20:30–07:00) under Letter of Authorization (LOA).
• Scissor lift access, safety spotters, and inventory checks required.
• Old paper signage removed, handed to management for recycling.
• New mounts, screens, speakers, and players installed according to CE Labs guidelines.
• Serial numbers and network port IDs reported to CE Labs for provisioning.

Results & Impact

• Operational Efficiency: Eliminated recurring print cycles, reducing costs and delays.
• Scalability: Standardized kits and guides allowed consistent installs nationwide.
• Enhanced Member Experience: Video content, focused directional audio, and clear menus improved engagement at the Tire & Battery counters.
• Seamless Updates: Content could be deployed across all clubs instantly via Wovenmedia’s CMS.
• Low Disruption: After-hours installs avoided impact to daily operations.

Conclusion

The Sam’s Club Tire & Battery Center Digital Menu Board project highlights the value of combining software expertise (Wovenmedia) with hardware and integration leadership (CE Labs). By replacing static print with dynamic digital signage, Sam’s Club achieved a scalable, future-ready communication platform that aligned with its mission to deliver simple savings, consistent service, and better member experiences.

This project serves as a benchmark for how service-focused retail environments can modernize customer engagement through digital transformation—efficient, standardized, and impactful.