Retail media at the restaurant table

What is retail media at the table?

Retail media at the table combines dining with shopping opportunities. Using Digital Out of Home (DOOH) screens, brands can place shoppable ads directly in front of guests while they enjoy their meal. By scanning a QR code, diners can browse products, claim promotions, or even make purchases instantly.

Why this trend is growing

Retail media is one of the fastest-growing areas of advertising. Brands are always looking for new ways to reach consumers in moments of attention. Restaurants offer the perfect setting: guests are seated for more than an hour on average, relaxed, and open to exploring engaging content. This makes the restaurant table a prime retail media space.

How retail media works in restaurants

• Tabletop screens display shoppable campaigns with clear visuals
• Guests scan QR codes to access product pages or exclusive offers
• Purchases are completed directly on smartphones while dining
• Restaurants share in ad revenue while enhancing the guest experience

Examples of retail media campaigns

• Fashion brands: Ads for limited-edition sneakers where guests can buy instantly
• Consumer goods: Promotions for beverages or snacks guests can order online
• Tech products: AR demos where guests explore devices in 3D before purchasing

Benefits for advertisers

Retail media at the table gives brands a direct line to consumers. Unlike online ads that can be skipped, these campaigns appear in a focused, high-attention environment. Guests can act immediately, turning awareness into real sales. The combination of visibility, engagement, and conversion makes this format highly effective.

Benefits for restaurants

Restaurants earn revenue from hosting retail media campaigns, creating a new passive income stream. They also gain a reputation for innovation, as guests enjoy the novelty of shopping while dining. Importantly, the screens continue to serve their core functions — digital menus, promotions, and guest support — while adding retail opportunities on top.

Case study: retail media in action

A Canadian restaurant group partnered with a consumer electronics brand to showcase new headphones on tabletop screens. Guests could scan to learn more, watch an AR demo, and purchase directly from their table. The campaign resulted in strong sales and high engagement, while the restaurants earned additional ad revenue with no added effort.

Why Canada is ready for retail media

Canadian diners are already comfortable with mobile payments and QR codes. Combining dining and shopping feels like a natural extension of habits they already use every day. With long dwell times and strong consumer engagement, Canada is an ideal market for retail media at the table.

Boosting guest engagement

Retail media doesn’t just drive sales — it also entertains guests. Campaigns often include interactive features, such as AR product views, polls, or mini-games. This makes the dining experience more enjoyable and memorable, while keeping guests engaged during their visit.

Operational simplicity

For restaurants, retail media requires little effort. Providers handle campaign setup and targeting, while restaurants focus on their core business. The screens update automatically with new campaigns, ensuring fresh and relevant content for guests without extra work.

Key takeaways

• Retail media at the table combines dining and shopping
• Guests can scan and buy instantly while enjoying their meal
• Restaurants earn passive revenue with no added workload
• Brands gain real-time sales opportunities in a high-attention setting

For restaurants and advertisers in Canada, retail media at the dining table represents a new frontier — where dining, engagement, and shopping come together seamlessly.

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