Why choose sustainable digital signage?

We spoke to Micha Medendorp, CEO of Marie-Stella-Maris, a fast-growing social enterprise with 12 stores in the Netherlands and Belgium, about digital signage. With their mission to make access to clean drinking water possible worldwide, the brand also strives for sustainable choices in everything they do.

Micha had been wondering for a while how they could digitalise their in-store communication without compromising on appearance and sustainability. That challenge brought them to AVEX: together, we found a solution that fits with their ideals as well as the store concept.

In this interview, Micha shares:

• Why traditional display window stickers don’t suit their carbon-neutral ambitions
• How he discovered digital signage as sustainable alternative for retail communications
• How working with AVEX and the carbon-neutral and BRIX zero solution benefits Marie-Stella-Maris
• Which advantages carbon-neutral screens offer for modern retail organisations

After reading this article, you’ll know exactly how to make your digital signage more sustainable without compromising on flexibility or impact – on the contrary, even.

Marie-Stella-Maris: a fast-growing social enterprise with a sustainable mission

Marie-Stella-Maris isn’t a regular company. As social enterprise their mission goes beyond making profit. “Our mission is that we want to give everyone access to clean drinking water.” CEO Misha Medendorp says. “Because 1 in 4 people on Earth don’t have that.”

What started as premium mineral water brand to finance water projects, has become an omnichannel organisation with 12 stores in the Netherlands and Belgium – and with more new locations coming, the brand is steadily growing. Sustainability is at the heart of everything they do.

The search for sustainable digital signage

At Marie-Stella-Maris, they want to convey commercial messages just as consciously as their products. But there was an opportunity to make the signage in the display windows of the stores more efficient.

“Previously we worked more with physical communication, which had logistic disadvantages and didn’t suit our sustainable ambitions.” Micha explains. “Often physical updates required transport to all branches – something that no longer aligns with our sustainable ambitions.”

For an organisation that aims to be carbon-neutral, this wasn’t the ideal solution. Much transport, little flexibility, and high costs. “This costs money and doesn’t align with our sustainable ambitions. Aren’t there better alternatives for it?” And that’s how Marie-Stella-Maris started looking into implementing Digital Signage.

A joint step to carbon-neutral retail communication

Through the network, Marie-Stella-Maris got in touch with audiovisual specialist AVEX. And the timing couldn’t have been better. Because while Marie-Stella-Maris was looking for sustainable in-store communication, AVEX was developing a new carbon-neutral and fully circular AV solution: BRIX zero.

“During meetings with AVEX we discovered that they were working on a new, carbon-neutral AV solution: which perfectly aligns with the sustainability course we had been looking into.”

For Marie-Stella-Maris, this was exactly what they were looking for: “Sustainable digital signage felt like a logical next step within our own sustainable strategy: more efficient, flexible, and scalable.”

The collaboration between Marie-Stella-Maris and AVEX perfectly illustrates how companies can work together towards a climate neutral future.

Sustainable digital signage: the right solution at the right time

“In our office, we had already been looking into how we could become carbon-neutral” Micha says. “Sustainability is integrated in our entire production chain already.”

Marie-Stella-Maris had already made conscious choices. Micha sums up a few practical examples: glass bottles that use 30% less material, local production based on renewable energy, and refill stations in every store.

Micha: “This was a very nice addition to the next step in thinking and acting more sustainably in our operations. The coming together of our carbon-neutral ambitions and the development of BRIX zero was perfectly timed.”

From technology to content: working towards visibility together

For Marie-Stella-Maris, the collaboration with AVEX went beyond the delivery of carbon-neutral screens. “Our own design and marketing teams work on powerful brand communication daily. By working together with AVEX, we applied their technical knowhow to set up our digital display windows optimally – always using our own brand identity as starting point.” Micha explains. “The challenge is to get the attention of passersby within seconds, and at the same time convey our brand identity.”

AVEX’s team helped with the technical aspects and with optimising the content for maximum impact.

Why BRIX zero is the AV solution that suits the mission of Marie-Stella-Maris

“Even though the window display screens are merely one link in our omnichannel chain, they contribute substantially to the brand experience on location.” Micha admits. “That’s why specialist expertise in this field was very valuable. The collaboration with AVEX brought additional expertise to the technology and installation, a nice addition to our own brand and content strategy.”

For Marie-Stella-Maris, BRIX zero was the logical next step in their sustainable way of working. By making their AV equipment carbon-neutral and circular, it now seamlessly fits their mission to make conscious and sustainable choices in all aspects of their company.

Are you, just like Marie-Stella-Maris, looking for the next step in your sustainable way of working?

Micha’s story shows that sustainable digital signage is not only possible, but also more cost-efficient and flexible. Marie-Stella-Maris can now digitally roll out their campaigns in all branches with one push of a button, without transport, waste, or compromising on their values.

You probably also struggle with the tension between efficient in-store communication and your company’s sustainable ambitions. Whether you want to replace existing AV solutions with carbon-neutral and circular alternatives or want to quit those monthly trips to every location for new stickers.

Just as Micha discovered, AVEX entirely understood Marie-Stella-Maris’s challenge. Thanks to the expertise in both carbon-neutral AV solutions and retail-oriented content creation, they were able to make the difference. AVEX doesn’t operate as regular manufacturer, but as a true partner that supports your sustainability mission.

In the picture: Micha Medendorp – Marie-Stella-Maris (left) and Robin Houtzager – AVEX (right) at store opening in Antwerp.