The wide-format sector may be relatively small within the greater printing industry, but it remains one of the few print sectors that is showing signs of positive growth. Much of this growth is being driven by the retail market. As the country emerges from one of the worst economic downturns in its history, the retail sector is still feeling the effects. Consumers are keeping an eye on their spending, and retailers are working to leverage their marketing investments. Because online sales are booming, retailers are pulling out all the stops to bring shoppers back into their stores. Retailers must draw customers into their stores, get them engaged, and hopefully convince them to spend once they are inside. One of the most effective—yet relatively inexpensive—ways to do this is by using point-of-purchase (POP) signage.

According to recent research from InfoTrends, banners, posters, and signs remain the leading large format applications.

In June 2011, InfoTrends completed its Who Buys Wide Format? study, which was designed to collect more information about the buyers of large format products. It fostered an understanding of wide format graphics buyer requirements while also tracking changes in buying patterns since the previous study from 2009. This year’s study surveyed three hundred individuals with responsibility for buying or specifying wide format. The data revealed that banners, posters, and signs remain the leading large format applications, with photography gaining an increasing share in relation to 2009 (nearly 43% of respondents reported purchasing photography applications in 2011, compared to 30% in 2009). Drawings, proofs, flags, and textiles showed declines in relation to 2009, while the other applications remained relatively stable.