2026-01-13
Beijing, Jan. 13 (Reporter) – Driven by urban upgrading, night economy prosperity and green development concepts, the global outdoor light box market is undergoing a profound transformation. The market demand, which was previously focused on single advertising display functions, is now shifting towards comprehensive adaptation to multiple scenarios such as commercial complexes, cultural tourism scenic spots, urban public spaces and transportation hubs. With the integration of new technologies such as solar energy, intelligence and interaction, outdoor light boxes are evolving from simple display tools to multi-functional integrated service carriers, reshaping the industry development pattern.
Industry data shows that the global outdoor light box market size is expected to exceed 50 billion yuan in 2025, with products featuring multi-scenario adaptation and intelligent functions accounting for more than 60% of the market share, a year-on-year increase of 25% . This change is most intuitively reflected in the diversified application scenarios. In commercial areas, ultra-thin and irregularly shaped outdoor light boxes have become a new trend. A luxury store in Beijing customized a "wave-shaped" LED light box that perfectly fits the brand's architectural style, which quickly became a social media check-in hotspot with related topic exposure exceeding 1 million times . In Shanghai's subway stations, outdoor light boxes equipped with intelligent dimming systems can automatically adjust brightness according to passenger flow and ambient light, with power consumption in night mode only 10W, saving more than 50,000 yuan in annual electricity costs .
The cultural tourism sector has become a key market for the multi-scenario transformation of outdoor light boxes. In zero-carbon scenic spots such as Zhangjiajie and Jiuzhaigou, solar-powered outdoor light boxes have become standard equipment. These light boxes adopt high-efficiency crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels with a conversion rate of more than 22% and colloidal maintenance-free batteries, realizing 100% clean energy supply . The one in Zhangjiajie's viewing platform, which can operate off-grid for 3-5 consecutive rainy days, has reduced the scenic spot's maintenance costs by 60% . What's more, these light boxes are designed with simulated wood grain and stone grain appearances to blend harmoniously with the natural environment. Some high-end scenic spots have also added AR interactive functions. Tourists can trigger virtual tours by scanning the light boxes to restore historical scenes of ancient buildings, significantly enhancing the interactive experience .
The demand for outdoor light boxes in urban public spaces is also showing a functional integration trend. In many communities in China, multi-functional outdoor light boxes integrating USB charging ports, Wi-Fi hotspots and emergency call buttons have been installed. These light boxes can not only release government and community notices, but also provide convenient services for residents. Their built-in backup power supply can last for 72 hours in case of power outages . In industrial parks, outdoor light boxes linked with roof photovoltaic systems have reduced the parks' dependence on the power grid. A case in Suzhou shows that 1,200 sets of energy-saving light boxes have reduced the park's grid dependence by 22% .
The transformation of market demand has driven technological innovation and industrial upgrading in the outdoor light box industry. Relevant technical specifications such as the "Safety Technical Specifications for Outdoor Luminous Signs" recently released in China have clearly defined 23 technical indicators including wind resistance, seismic resistance and electrical protection, requiring all outdoor light box products to pass IP65 protection level certification . This has accelerated the elimination of backward production capacity and promoted the upgrading of product quality. At the same time, the application of environmentally friendly materials has continued to increase. The proportion of bio-based polymer materials in light box manufacturing has risen from 5% in 2020 to 18% in 2025, and the recycling rate of metal cutting waste has reached 92% .
Industry experts pointed out that the multi-scenario adaptation of outdoor light boxes is an inevitable result of market demand upgrading, and it is also closely related to the construction of smart cities and the promotion of the dual-carbon goal. In the future, with the in-depth integration of 5G, AI and IoT technologies, outdoor light boxes will have more functions such as real-time environmental monitoring, precise advertising delivery and data analysis. It is expected that by 2028, 30% of outdoor light boxes will integrate face recognition and environmental perception functions, and the accuracy of advertising delivery will be improved by more than 40% .
Representatives of leading enterprises in the industry said that they will focus on technological research and development and personalized customization to meet the differentiated needs of different scenarios. "The outdoor light box market is no longer a price competition. Whoever can better adapt to scenario needs and provide integrated solutions will occupy the initiative," said a person in charge of Hebei Siliang Intelligent Technology, a manufacturer of solar light boxes.
Insiders predict that with the continuous expansion of application scenarios and the continuous innovation of technologies, the outdoor light box industry will usher in a new round of development opportunities. Its role in urban construction, commercial operation and ecological protection will become more prominent, contributing more to the high-quality development of the city.
