Part 1: Why Choose a POP Display?

From online ads to TV commercials and influencer collaborations, companies today have more ways to promote their product than ever. With the plethora of digital advertising options available, why choose a POP display?

Here’s why. Point-of-purchase marketing is still so effective that manufacturers pay to have their products displayed in prime locations within a store.

In fact, companies still spend billions each year to market their products to shoppers in brick-and-mortar stores. For example, advertising spending in the grocery store industry in the United States reached almost $2.04 billion in 2023 — and it’s projected to keep increasing year over year. 

This chapter answers the question of why companies focus their attention on in-store promotions and highlights why POP displays are essential for product manufacturers.

What Is a POP Display?

A point-of-purchase (POP) display is a visual merchandising strategy designed to attract a customer’s attention and encourage them to purchase a product. Retailers and supermarkets typically place these displays near high-traffic areas such as store aisles and checkout queues.

Product manufacturers usually supply stores with custom-designed POP displays to:

• Promote brand awareness
• Market specific products
• Encourage impulse purchases

POP displays are an effective way to influence consumer buying decisions and boost sales.

Why Are Point-of-Purchase Displays Important?

Unlike commercials or social media ads, POP displays appear when customers are already shopping. They serve as an integral part of the shopping experience rather than an interruption that gets in the way of the customer’s enjoyment.

An aesthetically pleasing POP display tempts shoppers to engage with the product without obviously pushing the sale. Some POP displays also include educational information, which might help customers decide what to buy and make shopping easier.

If you’re still wondering if your company needs a standout POP display, explore how these advertising mediums play a critical role in the retail environment and give brands a competitive edge:

Aesthetics Are Vital in Purchasing Decisions

Another report shows that, to Gen Z consumers, a product’s logo and appearance are major factors in their decision to buy. This study indicates a major change in how companies should approach in-store marketing. A striking POP display can be the key to crushing the competition and attracting more customers from this demographic. Businesses can also use POP displays to place their products in customers’ paths, even if they skip aisles.

The Rise of Experiential Shopping

Because in-person shopping has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, retailers have to provide a reason for customers to visit their stores. Today’s consumers expect to find more than the products they want in store — they expect a complete experience that will make them want to linger. 

While companies overwhelmingly pivoted to online shopping, Gen Z is leading the charge in returning to in-person retail. According to a 2025 study, 73% of Gen Z respondents said they shop in-store at least once per week. Where older generations said they view shopping as a chore, Gen Z saw it as an experience, and POP displays are a key part of that experience. 

For example, people still like to hold products in their hands before they buy them. Consumers can make more informed decisions by sampling and assessing their options, and are more likely to purchase unfamiliar items in person. Online shopping requires consumers to search for what they want, which takes more time and eliminates the possibility of sampling the product.

Plus, customers want certain items right away and don’t want to wait for things to ship. If they need to return something, they can go back to the store they bought the item from and avoid shipping costs and related hassles.

POP Displays Reinforce Other Advertising Forms

If you’ve invested time and money in an online marketing campaign, you may be wondering if it’s worth making room in your budget for POP displays. As long as you plan to sell your product in stores, you’ll want to consider creating a unique display for your brand, no matter how many other forms of advertising you’ve used.

POP displays reach customers who may not be familiar with your products, even if you have a strong online presence. POP displays also complement other advertising forms and help customers recognize and remember your brand.

POP Displays Help Shoppers Decide

While many shoppers in the past were more spontaneous in their purchasing decisions, the turbulent economy of the 2020s demands more consideration. In one 2024 consumer survey, 66% of respondents said they spend at least 30 minutes preparing for a routine grocery run. That prep time typically includes activities like:

• Meal planning
• Looking for recipe inspiration
• Comparing prices online
• Searching for discounts and coupons

That said, POP displays can help promote sales when those plans change, or when shoppers are in the mood for a little treat.

These shoppers would rather not spend hours browsing and want to get what they need fast, even if they have a shopping list. A POP display draws attention and shows customers what a product is all about, so they can easily make a decision.

Why POP Displays Work

The world of retail may be changing on several levels. The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in online shopping, mobile apps are becoming the new normal and consumers are demanding more sustainability and transparency from brands. But even with these significant changes, in-store brand awareness and proper product placement are the reigning factors in retail. Here’s why.

1. The Right Place at the Right Time

Online advertisements are part of every video, article, survey, podcast and website. They are now so integrated into media channels that consumers are becoming increasingly frustrated and critical of them. And this makes sense because consumers aren’t always looking for something to shop for — they want entertainment and relaxation.

However, the beauty of in-store displays is that consumers are already in shopping mode. They went to the store planning to buy at least one thing. POP displays are directly in their sightline, taking advantage of location, visibility and timing. Proving the power of retail displays, research has shown it’s possible to influence sales of consumer packaged goods at the store level using strategic product placement and promotion.

2. Instant Gratification

Many consumers enjoy the in-store experience. And there’s no wonder why — the entire store caters to their desires. Elements like upbeat music, lighting and product placement aim to make retail environments inviting places that are sure to have everything shoppers need or want. Some luxury brands are even adding amenities like on-site cafes and branded lounges to keep customers browsing for longer.

Availability is the name of the game in this strategy. If the customer can’t enjoy their experience and find what they want easily, they’ll go somewhere else. POP displays are essential because they serve the customer immediately and without any fuss. 

Displays tell the customer what your brand’s values are and how your product can change their lives for the better. And the best part of in-store product displays is that they make your products more attainable. People can see, feel and even test the products they are interested in, instead of relying on a photo and brief description online.

When people buy in person, they can get what they want right away without having to pay delivery fees, surcharges and subscription fees. People are more likely to buy when it’s convenient, giving them the surge of endorphins that comes with making an exciting purchase they can enjoy immediately.

3. Raising Brand Awareness

If you are already stocking your products at a retail location, why not optimize your real estate to raise brand awareness? A POP display catches attention and efficiently communicates your values and messaging with a single statement. 

Most customers are open to switching brands, as seen in one international consumer survey by Capgemini. According to the study, 70% of respondents said they have switched brands because they enjoy experimentation. 

Almost 40% said they switched to another brand when their original preference did not share their environmental values. Now, more than ever, consumers demand social, economic and environmental responsibility from companies. That’s especially true of Millennials and Gen Z, who prioritize social and environmental practices in their purchasing decisions. POP displays provide an opportunity to introduce new customers to your business and what it stands for.

Think of it this way. You wouldn’t have invested the time, passion and energy into a product you didn’t believe in. Innovators, creators and entrepreneurs dream of making their brand a household name and serving millions of consumers, which is challenging for smaller companies and startups. A POP display puts your products and brand on the front lines, right in the faces of potential customers.

4. Eco-Friendly and Interchangeable

Sustainability has become a keyword in the retail and manufacturing sectors. Consumers, politicians and celebrity figures are all rallying behind initiatives to create greener spaces and produce eco-friendly goods in the most sustainable ways possible. POP displays directly address this concern by promoting your brand’s sustainability efforts with recycled and recyclable materials.

Although rising inflation created affordability challenges for many products, the market share of sustainable goods has continuously increased since 2015. By partnering with a POP designer and manufacturer who only uses 100% recyclable corrugated cardboard and can promote your brand’s sustainability programs, you can dominate the marketplace.

POP displays also allow your company to effortlessly change with the seasons in retail. POP displays are often recyclable, affordable and quick to manufacture. Therefore, they are easy to replace as you change campaigns or adapt to new seasons and trends.

What Are the Benefits of POP Displays?

Point-of-purchase statistics prove that POP displays can make an impact and boost sales. End-of-aisle displays increase visibility and positively affect sales because they strategically place products in a location where customers are likely to see them. Price promotions are also more effective when combined with end-of-aisle displays, according to the analysis.

POP displays provide many benefits to companies that want to promote their brand and get their products sold. If you’re ready to place your product on the shelves, creating a POP display is one of the most important steps you can take. Here are 11 benefits of POP displays:

1. Attracts Attention

Customers notice POP displays. Think of when you’ve encountered an eye-grabbing POP display. It was probably hard not to look at, and it’s likely your eyes scanned the display for something you might want to buy. Maybe the display was so enticing that you couldn’t resist picking the item off the shelf.

POP displays often use bright colors and striking imagery to capture shoppers’ attention and prompt them to interact with a product. A well-made POP display will also keep your merchandise from getting lost in a sea of options.

2. Encourages Impulse Buys

If you want to inspire customers to buy your products on impulse, a POP display will help you accomplish your goal. An effective POP display encourages shoppers to purchase items on impulse. 

Impulse buying is when someone suddenly makes an unplanned purchase. Customers might be prone to buying something impulsively if they want to lift a bad mood, reward themselves or fill a need like hunger or thirst. When they encounter marketing stimuli, like POP displays, it triggers impulse buying.

Impulse buying is more common than you may think. According to recent research from Capital One, a whopping 80% of American shoppers make impulse purchases while in brick-and-mortar stores. While clothing is the most common impulse purchase for 55% of consumers, groceries are a close second at 50%. 

To see how impulse buying works, imagine a customer is bored, waiting in a checkout line. They suddenly notice an attractive POP display filled with delicious-looking chocolate bars. They toss the candy in their cart last-minute, excited to experience the pleasure it’ll bring without thinking about their diet. If the POP display had not been there, the chocolate bars might have blended in with the other nearby candy or seemed too ordinary to be worth the splurge.

3. Affordable

If you’re on a tight marketing budget but need to get your new product out there, consider POP displays. Compared to other advertising methods, like TV commercials, POP displays offer an inexpensive yet effective solution. Customers and employees will also repeatedly see your display, giving you even greater value for your money.

You can create POP displays that fit into your budget by choosing a cost-effective material. For instance, corrugated cardboard is an economical POP display material that costs less than wood, metal or plastic. With corrugated cardboard, you can create a durable, high-quality display that will strongly impact customers.

4. Increases Brand Awareness

Brand awareness describes how well customers recognize and remember your brand. When a company has a high level of brand awareness, it’s likely to sell its products. That’s because customers tend to purchase brands they are familiar with when faced with similar options.

Building brand awareness takes time and usually involves a variety of marketing efforts. POP displays are a way to increase brand awareness in-store and complement other advertising forms. You can use your POP display to share your brand’s unique story or showcase its personality. You can quickly teach new customers about your brand and keep your products fresh in existing customers’ minds.

5. Enables Precise Targeting

You can customize POP displays to target local shoppers and build brand loyalty within your region. For example, you might incorporate a local celebrity, team mascot, community tradition, iconic food or historical landmark in your display’s design. When local customers see your display, they’ll automatically connect with your message.

You can also place displays strategically within a store to reach a specific audience. If you wanted to target hungry shoppers, for example, you could put a snack display at the front of the store where customers are more likely to make an impulse buy. 

6. Enhances the Shopping Experience

Although the pandemic required shoppers to only go out when they needed to stock up on supplies, customers are now looking forward to lingering and having fun while they shop. POP displays can enhance a store’s visual appeal and make the shopping experience even more enjoyable.

Since POP displays are custom-made, you’re free to get creative and use colors and images that add beauty, excitement or a sense of calm to a retail environment. You might even use your display to create a complete sensory experience that customers won’t forget.

For example, shoppers might look at appealing images, touch the product and maybe even smell, taste or hear the item for sale. Unlike many other advertising methods, POP displays provide a three-dimensional experience that can linger in customers’ minds.

7. Effectively Promotes Sales

POP displays are an excellent way to promote on-sale items because they grab customers’ attention. You can print promotions, such as buy one get one, directly on the display in bold, cheerful colors. You can also add coupon tear pads or retail signage to your display to advertise deals as you spread brand awareness.

If you use POP displays as a sales promotion tool, you can increase impulse buys. Customers are more likely to purchase something on impulse if they’re getting a good deal.

8. Introduces New Products

Most consumers are more likely to buy new products in person than online. While they’re in the store, they can see and touch the product directly, which can help them decide whether it’s a worthy purchase. The right marketing can also help boost sales by providing customers with the information they need to feel confident in their shopping decisions.

A POP display enables you to illustrate a new product’s features in an exciting way, whether your brand is well established or you’re just getting started. Your POP display is an opportunity to quickly communicate to customers why they should give your merchandise a chance. Without the display highlighting the item’s benefits, customers are more likely to reach for brands and products they already know.

9. Educates Customers

Customers who are unfamiliar with your brand or product will have questions before they decide to buy. They might wonder how the product works, how it will benefit them or how it’s better than a competitor’s item. Maybe they’ll ask themselves if it’s something they need, want or can afford.

Your POP display is your chance to educate customers about your product and the problems it solves. You can include easy-to-read text on your display, helpful images or other informative content to show customers what your items can do for them. You might attach a brochure holder to your display to include more information.

If customers can quickly grasp what your product is about and how it can make their lives better, they’ll be more likely to make a purchase.

10. Provides Versatility

POP displays are easy to install and move around a store, especially those made from lightweight materials like corrugated cardboard. This characteristic makes it easy for you and your retail partner to experiment with different store areas and see what works best.

Let’s say you discover that your craft soda doesn’t seem to be selling near other soda brands. To solve this issue, you could try moving your display next to seasonal products or checkout areas.

You can also use your portable display in various locations to spread your brand. 

11. Helps Retailers

POP displays help retailers promote your products. Although you’ll have to follow the store’s specifications regarding the display’s size, you’ll likely have some freedom when it comes to the colors, images, shapes, text and other design elements used. This allows you to show a retailer how you want to present your merchandise in their store.

By helping the retailer display your product, you’ll bring greater sales to their store and strengthen the business relationship you have — which is certainly something you want. According to corporate strategy experts, consumer goods manufacturers outperform competitors when they collaborate closely with retailers.

What Products Are Best for POP Displays?

You can use POP displays to promote just about any product, from pet supplies to sports equipment. However, they are especially beneficial for new products, seasonal items, on-sale items, consumer packaged goods and any products shoppers typically buy on impulse. Examples of items that consumers commonly purchase on impulse include:

• Food
• Candy
• Beverages
• Clothing
• Shoes
• Cosmetics
• Household items

Point-of-Purchase Display Examples

You can find point-of-purchase displays in all areas of a store. For example, take a trip to your local supermarket, and you’ll discover endcap displays at the end of aisles, likely promoting seasonal products. In the checkout lane, you might see counter displays holding candy, gum or other small impulse buys. If you walk around the perimeter of the store, you’ll probably encounter display bins containing seasonal produce or clearance items.

For specific examples of POP displays, check out our case studies and success stories. At Creative Displays Now, we’re ready to design, manufacture and ship a custom, showstopping display for your brand. 

Choose Creative Displays Now for Custom POP Displays

At Creative Displays Now, we know the power of strategic product placement. Our experts can help you design a POP display that customers will want to engage with while shopping at any retailer. We’ll work with you to understand your product’s unique vibe and benefits, which are key to creating effective displays.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to develop an eye-catching display for your product and brand.