What: Cyprus-based startup DISPL transforms brick-and-mortar retail with AI-powered audience analytics and smart digital signage, serving over 3,500 touchpoints globally.

Why it is important: As retail media growth decelerates to 15.6%, DISPL's AI-powered solution addresses the industry's urgent need for measurable offline marketing and enhanced customer analytics in physical retail spaces.

DISPL, a Cyprus-based retail technology startup, has emerged as a significant player in the retail media sector after raising over $2 million in just 2.5 years. The company's platform, which combines AI-powered audience analytics with smart digital signage, helps retailers, brands, and distributors generate new revenue streams by monetizing physical spaces. Currently powering over 3,500 touchpoints globally, DISPL serves major brands including Kotsovolos, Domino's Pizza, and Bang & Olufsen. The company's technology enables real-time customer demographics and behavioural data collection while ensuring compliance with global data protection standards. Through strategic partnerships, particularly in Latin America with companies like GlobalTera, DISPL has expanded its presence across multiple markets. The company is now considering relocating to Los Angeles to tap into the U.S. market, where retail media ad spend is expected to reach $98 billion by 2028. Looking ahead, DISPL aims to launch an AI-powered analytics agent that will transform physical retail spaces into programmable marketing platforms.

IADS Notes: The retail media landscape has undergone significant transformation since July 2024, when Coresight research revealed the potential to double grocery retailers' margins through in-store opportunities. This potential was quickly demonstrated by Intime Department Store's 15% boost in counter sales through AI integration that same month. The industry's evolution accelerated in November 2024 with Majid Al Futtaim's launch of AI-powered Precision Media across 450 stores, setting new standards for technology integration in physical retail. By March 2025, McKinsey's report showing 71% of consumers expecting personalised interactions validated this technological shift. However, April 2025 brought new challenges as the retail media industry experienced growth deceleration from 25.1% to 15.6%, prompting further innovation in AI-driven solutions. DISPL's emergence in this context, with its AI-powered audience analytics and smart digital signage, represents a timely response to the industry's need for more sophisticated retail media solutions that can deliver both personalisation and measurable results.

How ‘Minority Report’ gave birth to DISPL, an AI-led in-store retail media platform