In the competitive world of organized retail, where every customer touchpoint matters, Macropix and Palazzolo srl have delivered an installation that redefines visibility for modern retail environments. This is a massive outdoor LED display installed at a Coop supermarket: not just a screen, but a true visual architecture that wraps around the building’s corner, creating an unmissable focal point for anyone passing by on the surrounding streets. What makes this project unique is its 90-degree corner configuration: two LED surfaces meeting seamlessly at the building’s edge, transforming what’s traditionally dead space into a powerful dual-directional communication tool. Strategically mounted above the main entrance, the large-format display captures attention from hundreds of meters away, visually guiding customers to the store from either approach direction.
For organized retail chains, this technology represents a quantum leap in outdoor communication. The benefits are tangible and measurable: real-time content updates for flash promotions, adaptability throughout the day, dayparting capabilities for targeted messaging, and most importantly, transforming a static facade into a dynamic marketing asset working 24/7. In a sector where competition is measured in blocks between stores, having an LED screen of this scale means winning the visibility war, building brand recall, and actively driving foot traffic and vehicle traffic to your location.
The Installation: specs and technical features of a custom-built project
The technological core of this project is an outdoor LED display from the Signum-LS series, engineered specifically to withstand harsh weather conditions without compromising visual quality. The installation stands out for its dimensions and configuration that make it unique in the retail communication landscape. The total viewing surface reaches impressive proportions thanks to the corner wrap design: each face measures 20 feet wide by 10 feet tall, for a combined total of 388 square feet of high-definition LED display. Viewing distance is optimized by the 4.4mm pixel pitch, a value that ensures crisp, detailed images both up close and from a distance, perfect for content ranging from promotional copy to high-resolution product imagery. Key Technical Specifications:
- Product: Large outdoor corner display
- Series: Signum-LS
- Pixel Pitch: 4.4mm (optimal for viewing distances from 16 to 165 feet)
- Configuration: Two corner-wrapped screens at 90°
- Display Area per Face: 600 x 300 cm (approx. 20′ x 10′)
- Total Surface: 36 m² (388 sq ft) of dynamic communication
- Mounting: Wall-mounted installation above main entrance
The choice of this corner-wrap configuration isn’t just aesthetic: it maximizes visual coverage on both roadways feeding into the supermarket, effectively multiplying the ROI of the investment. Every driver or pedestrian approaching the store area is inevitably captured by the commanding, luminous presence of the display, regardless of their direction of travel.
Signum-LS: LED Technology Built to Last and Impress
For a project of this scope, Macropix selected the SIGNUM-LS series, a line of outdoor LED displays that hits the sweet spot between professional-grade performance, ease of management, and cost-effectiveness. This isn’t just a screen, it’s a system engineered to run 24/7 in outdoor environments, standing up to rain, intense sunlight, temperature swings, and humidity without ever compromising image quality. What sets the SIGNUM-LS series apart is its versatility: it’s built to adapt to multiple application scenarios, from retail facades to sports venues, from urban plazas to shopping centers. In Coop’s specific case, the ability to create corner-wrap installations proved decisive in maximizing the building’s architecture.
Design and construction: structural lightness, guaranteed strength
The SIGNUM-LS structure demonstrates how advanced technology can go hand-in-hand with practical construction. The die-cast aluminum frame is the secret to this combination: a material that marries exceptional lightness with superior mechanical strength, critical when dealing with large-scale vertical installations that need to remain stable for years. Each cabinet features a slim profile of just 91mm (including the LED module), while weight clocks in at 55 lbs per standard cabinet (960x960mm). These numbers translate into practical terms as easy installation and reduced structural loads on the host building. The rear housing isn’t just functional but sleek, with metal covers and integrated heat sinks that give the whole assembly a professional appearance even when viewed from side angles. Distinctive Construction Features:
- High-strength die-cast aluminum frame
- LED module manufactured entirely in aluminum for durability and thermal management
- Locking system with ergonomic handle and four security latches
- Orientation flexibility: LED module can be oriented left or right
- Right-angle solutions: 90° or chamfered configurations to match any architecture
Visual quality: images that capture and convert
In the large-scale retail context, where competition for customer attention is fierce, image quality makes the difference between a message that gets noticed and one that gets ignored. The SIGNUM-LS was engineered with exactly this goal: delivering high-impact visuals that transform any content into an engaging viewing experience. Extreme brightness, ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 nits, guarantees perfect readability even under direct midday sunlight. For a practical comparison, a flagship smartphone maxes out around 1,000-1,500 nits: we’re talking about luminous output up to 10 times higher, essential for outdoor applications.
Image smoothness is ensured by a 3,840 Hz refresh rate, eliminating any flicker or banding effect even when the screen is captured by video cameras or smartphones. The 14-bit grayscale (16,384 levels per color) produces incredibly natural gradients and smooth color transitions, crucial for faithfully representing images of food products or beverages. High contrast ratio (from 5,500:1 up to 10,000:1) delivers deep blacks and brilliant whites even under varying ambient lighting conditions, while the ultra-wide viewing angle (150° horizontal and 110° vertical) ensures the image remains sharp and legible even for those viewing the screen from off-axis positions—an essential characteristic for a corner-wrap installation.
Environmental resistance: engineered to defy the elements
An outdoor LED display needs to be a technological warrior, capable of operating continuously regardless of weather conditions. The SIGNUM-LS is IP66 certified both front and rear, the top protection standard for commercial applications. This means total resistance to heavy rain, snow, hail, dust, and even high-pressure water jets used for facade cleaning. The operating temperature range from -4°F to 131°F allows the display to function flawlessly from freezing winter mornings to scorching summer days, while humidity tolerance (10-90% RH non-condensing) makes it immune to issues typical of humid environments or coastal zones.
Thermal management was engineered with particular attention: a multi-stage heat dissipation system including large natural air convection area, die-cast aluminum module rear housing acting as a passive heat sink, and professional thermal adhesives that effectively transfer heat from electronic components outward. The result? Optimal operating temperatures that dramatically extend LED and electronics lifespan, minimizing maintenance interventions.
Serviceability: front and rear access
Even the most reliable system occasionally needs maintenance, and the SIGNUM-LS was designed to make these operations as straightforward as possible. The display supports both front-access and rear-access servicing, offering flexibility based on installation conditions. Front servicing, ideal when rear space is limited, uses a dedicated unlocking tool to remove LED modules. Power and data boxes are accessible via easily reachable latches. Rear servicing allows direct access to cabinets, power supplies, signal receivers, and hubs through latches on the rear cover. This dual access capability significantly reduces intervention time and associated costs—a non-trivial advantage for commercial installations where every minute of downtime can translate into lost communication opportunities.
The project delivered for Coop demonstrates how LED technology applied to large-scale retail is no longer a nice-to-have, but a strategic tool to compete effectively in today’s market. Through the collaboration between Macropix and Palazzolo srl, the supermarket’s facade has been transformed into a powerful communication channel working constantly to attract, inform, and guide customers to the store.
