The Ultimate Guide to Point-of-Purchase Displays

The Ultimate Guide to Point-of-Purchase Displays

Point-of-purchase (POP) displays offer customers the perfect blend of convenience, brand messaging and fun. They can significantly increase merchandise sales in retail stores. However, to be worth the investment, they need to be made of quality materials and designed to catch the right consumer’s eye. 

In this guide, you’ll learn about the different types of POP displays and the best materials to use. We will cover what POP displays are, the benefits of using POP displays and the difference between POS and POP displays. 

Table of Contents: 

What Does Point of Purchase Mean, and What Are POP Displays?

The point of purchase is the physical location where consumers decide to buy a product. There are many points of purchase throughout a store, such as near the exit, and some are more effective than others. Point-of-purchase displays are placed in high-traffic strategic locations, such as right by the entrance or exit, at the end of an aisle, or close to the checkout counter. They are designed to be eye-catching and convenient and to promote impulse buys as shoppers walk by. 

By identifying where shoppers tend to congregate and placing POP displays in those locations, businesses can entice more customers to arrive at the counter with more products in their cart. Because POP displays are easy to move, businesses can experiment with where they place products to find the most profitable location. 

What’s the Difference Between Point-of-Sale and Point-of-Purchase Displays?

Point-of-sale (POS) displays are always located right by the checkout. They offer last-minute purchase options like gum, candy, mints, batteries, lighters and other small items that are easy to grab at the last minute. When they’re designed well and stocked with the right merchandise for the target audience, they can help increase sales. 

POP and POS displays are built for the same purpose — to increase impulse buys with eye-catching displays in convenient locations. However, POS displays are often much smaller than POP displays, and they are only located right by the checkout. Customers can find POP displays throughout the store in high-traffic areas. 

Benefits of POP Displays

Here are the top benefits of using POP displays to sell products in-store: 

  • POP displays create product visibility: Merchandise in a POP display is much more noticeable to customers. Eye-catching designs and separation from a wall of products make it easier for customers to choose your product.
  • They reinforce branding: POP displays offer an opportunity to broadcast your brand through colors and marketing messages.
  • POP displays are versatile and customizable: Displays can be used for everything from car parts to kids’ toys. It’s easy to customize their shape, color and size to fit your product. 

Temporary POP displays are affordable and offer a high return on investment. They’re also sustainable when built with eco-friendly materials like corrugated cardboard and steel. Ultimately, POP displays help increase sales — making customers, brands and retail stores happy. 

Types of Point-of-Purchase Displays

Types of Point-of-Purchase Displays

Different styles of POP displays work better in different locations and with different products. Here are some of the most common POP display types, along with the types of merchandise that really shine in them.

Floor Displays

This POP display sits on the floor and showcases merchandise with a bold, custom design. Examples range from tall displays for books to short displays for toys, set lower to the ground so products are at a child’s eye level. Floor displays can be customized in terms of size, height, branding, shapes and colors. 

Pallet Displays

Pallet displays are a type of floor display that is designed to sit on a standard-sized pallet. They’re perfect for selling a large volume of product quickly and are often chosen for seasonal products or promotions. Because they sit on a pallet, they’re easy to move and set up. Pallet displays can promote one product or several connected products, like holiday merchandise, on the different sides of the display. 

End Cap Displays

These displays sit at the end of an aisle. They offer high visibility and stand out because they are not next to an entire wall of products. End caps are a good option for new products, discontinued items or themed merchandise like back-to-school products. 

Wing Displays

You can add wing displays to shelving units or end caps to extend space for products. These displays are typically smaller and often used for products that complement the merchandise on the larger display. For example, shoppers who are purchasing groceries to make tacos may find taco seasoning, salsa and canned black beans near the taco shells in a wing display. 

Best Materials for POP Displays

Companies use different materials for permanent, semipermanent and temporary POP displays. POP displays are often temporary because they showcase seasonal or limited-edition products. However, when made with quality materials, even temporary displays can last a long time. 

Corrugated cardboard and metal, such as steel rods, are the best materials for a temporary POP display. These materials are affordable, eco-friendly and strong enough to support heavy items when used together. 

Corrugated cardboard is lightweight and easy to cut and print. It’s an excellent option for short-term promotional displays because it’s sustainable and can be recycled afterward. And because it’s affordable, using corrugated cardboard for a temporary POP display is also a good way to earn a return on your investment. 

Design Custom POP Displays With Creative Displays Now!

At Creative Displays Now, we have been designing, printing and manufacturing corrugated cardboard displays for over 60 years. Our experienced structural designers can help you create an effective, durable display that boosts product sales and promotes branding. Our products are made of recycled materials and can be completely customized to suit your needs. 

After we’ve produced your design, we can also take care of assembly, co-packing, inventory management and distribution. We have a G7 Master qualification for color control and accuracy, so you can feel confident that your design will be high-quality every time. Our entire process is finished in-house, allowing us control over product speed and accuracy. 

Reach out to us today to request an estimate and learn how we can support you with POP displays. We look forward to hearing from you!

Design Custom POP Displays With Creative Displays Now!

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