Selling a product is about telling a story. But how do you share that story in the few seconds you have a customer’s attention in a busy aisle? You turn your merchandising into a storyteller. Custom POP displays are your brand’s stage, transforming a standard shelf into an engaging experience. They use color, shape, and clear messaging to communicate what makes your product special, creating a visual magnet that draws shoppers in. Whether you’re launching something new or highlighting a bestseller, these displays give your product a voice and a presence that a crowded shelf simply can’t offer.
Selling the right stuff is just one part of running a successful retail store. Have you ever considered how creative and on-brand displays can drive sales results? We're talking POP (Point of Purchase) displays here, which have been proven to help increase any business's profits!
Read this article now for an in-depth look at why these eye-catching set ups are essential elements of modern day retail stores.
What is a POP Display?
As shoppers make their way down store aisles, they may come across some unexpected eye candy. POP displays — think of them as mini storefronts – are strategically placed merchandisers that serve up larger-than-life looks at the product being featured for maximum effect.
You would most recognize POP displays in grocery stores or others like Target and Walmart. Have you ever been to a grocery store and noticed those eye-catching displays of beer or seasonal décor? That's the power of POP (point-of purchase) displays! Not only do they look great, but their flexibility gives retailers plenty of options for showing off products in any shape or size. Plus, with an easy switch out system, restocking doesn't have to be a hassle - perfect for keeping your inventory up to date without tons of manual labor.
Customization and Materials
From Concept to Reality
One of the most powerful features of POP displays is their incredible level of customization. They are a blank canvas for your brand, allowing you to create a display that perfectly matches your company’s look, feel, and message. You can tailor the size, shape, and overall aesthetic to create a cohesive experience that resonates with your target audience. This ensures your display doesn’t just hold products; it tells your brand’s story right at the point of sale, making it feel like a natural and inviting part of the shopping journey rather than just another fixture on the floor.
Beyond the overall design, the materials you choose play a huge role in bringing your vision to life. Options range from warm and classic wood to sleek metal, modern acrylic, and versatile plastics. The right material choice impacts not only the visual appeal but also the display's durability and functionality in a high-traffic retail environment. Making the right selection requires a balance of creativity and practicality, which is where expert design and engineering become critical. A well-chosen material can make a product feel more premium and ensure your investment lasts.
Ultimately, the goal of a custom POP display is to drive sales. When a unique design and the right materials come together, you create an eye-catching display that stops shoppers in their tracks and encourages impulse buys. Turning a creative concept into a physical reality that can be rolled out across multiple locations requires a partner who understands the entire process. From the initial sketch to prototyping and final manufacturing, every step is crucial to building a display that not only looks great but also delivers results.
POP vs. POS Displays: What's the Difference?
POP displays are often grouped with POS displays in retail conversation, but these two types differ. First, POS displays are point-of-sale displays. This means they are likely near the checkout register or exit doors. Also, they usually have cheaper and smaller items on them to implement a sort of impulse buying from the customer when they are checking out or leaving the store.
Most retailers tend to use POP displays more so than POS displays. This is because POS displays are limited in where to put them within the store. POP displays, as stated above, are more flexible and easier to maneuver. The most significant benefit of using a POS display is that customers are almost guaranteed to see the product you’re showcasing.
Strategic Purpose and Placement
The main goal of a POP display is to act as a silent salesperson. These displays are powerful marketing tools designed to grab a shopper's attention right where they are making purchasing decisions—in the aisles. By making products more visible and highlighting their unique features, POP displays can effectively interrupt a customer's routine shopping trip. They are strategically placed in high-traffic areas, like at the end of aisles (endcaps) or in wide-open spaces, to introduce new items, feature promotions, and ultimately encourage an impulse buy. A well-designed display doesn't just hold products; it tells a story and creates an experience that draws customers in.
When to Choose a POP Display
A POP display is your best bet when you have a larger story to tell or a specific campaign to run. Consider using a POP display if you're launching a new product line, running a seasonal promotion, or want to showcase a variety of related items together. They are perfect for building brand awareness throughout the store because their flexible placement isn't limited to the checkout counter. If you need to move a lot of products, educate customers about a new item, or simply create a visually exciting focal point in your store, a custom POP display is the ideal solution. Seeing our work can give you a better idea of how versatile and impactful these displays can be.
When to Choose a POS Display
On the other hand, a POS display is all about the last-minute impulse buy. These displays are located right at or very near the checkout register, catching customers when their wallets are already out. The purpose is to encourage an unplanned purchase just before they leave the store. Because of their location, POS displays are typically smaller and feature low-cost, convenient items like candy, gum, magazines, or travel-sized toiletries. If your goal is to sell single, lightweight products that don't require much thought, a POS display is the more strategic choice. The key is to make the offer simple and irresistible for that final moment of the shopping journey.
How POP Displays Drive In-Store Sales
When thinking about increasing sales within a store, owners must remember accessibility is key. Shoppers don’t want to have to hunt or search for specific products. However, if your store has specific and popular items within reach and on an attractive fixture, shoppers are sure to take notice. This is where POP displays can highly benefit retailers.
POP displays are great for testing out new products and have the aisles looking more refreshed. With this high level of visibility, it can be useful to see how well customers respond to a new or best-selling product. They’re also great for highlighting special promotions. For example, if a store owner has an advertisement that most customers don’t know exists, POP displays are a great way to entice customers to buy.
Related Article: Top 5 Benefits of Custom Retail Store Displays
POP displays help create a strong visual connection with customers, increasing their loyalty to your store and making them more likely to return. You can also ensure that customers always see the products you want them to and give you the power to draw attention and boost sales.
The Data Behind POP Displays
If you’re wondering whether POP displays are still relevant, the numbers speak for themselves. The global market for these displays was valued at over $11 billion and is projected to grow to more than $16 billion by 2030. This isn't just a passing trend; it's a testament to their consistent ability to capture attention and influence purchasing decisions in physical retail spaces. For national and regional chains, this data highlights a critical opportunity. Investing in well-designed POP displays means tapping into a proven marketing channel that your competitors are likely already using to their advantage, ensuring your products stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Educating Customers at the Point of Decision
Think of a POP display as your best silent salesperson. It works around the clock to grab a shopper's attention right where buying decisions happen: in the aisle. These displays do more than just hold products; they communicate value, tell a brand story, or highlight a special promotion. A strategically designed display can answer a customer's questions before they even ask, showcasing key features or benefits that might otherwise be missed on a crowded shelf. This is where expert design and engineering become crucial, turning a simple fixture into a powerful tool that educates and persuades customers at the most critical moment.
A Cost-Effective Marketing Tool
One of the most practical benefits of POP displays is their cost-effectiveness, especially for temporary or seasonal campaigns. They offer a high return on investment by directly encouraging impulse buys and introducing shoppers to new items without the need for a massive marketing budget. This flexibility allows you to test different messages, promotions, and product placements to see what resonates most with your customers. For multi-location rollouts, partnering with a provider who understands how to create custom fixtures at scale ensures you get a high-impact solution that aligns with your budget and drives sales across all your stores.
Common Types of POP Displays
POP displays aren't a one-size-fits-all solution. The right display for your product depends on your goals, budget, and the duration of your campaign. Think about whether you need something for a quick weekend sale or a permanent fixture that will become part of your store's layout. Understanding the different options available is the first step in creating a display that captures attention and encourages purchases. We can generally group POP displays into two main categories: their intended lifespan (duration) and their physical shape and placement (format). Let's break down the most common types you'll see in stores.
Classification by Duration
One of the first decisions you'll make is how long you need your display to last. Are you promoting a seasonal item that will be gone in a few weeks, or are you creating a permanent home for a best-selling product line? This choice will influence the materials, design, and overall cost of your display. Retailers typically choose from temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent options, each serving a distinct strategic purpose within the store environment. Selecting the right duration ensures your investment aligns perfectly with your marketing calendar and sales objectives.
Temporary Displays
Temporary displays are your go-to for short-term promotions, like seasonal events or special sales. They are typically made from lightweight and cost-effective materials like cardboard, making them easy to set up and recycle once the campaign is over. Because of their low cost and quick production time, they are perfect for testing new product launches or clearing out inventory. You’ll often see them used for holiday candy, back-to-school supplies, or movie release promotions. Their main job is to make a big impact for a short period without a significant financial commitment.
Semi-Permanent Displays
When you need something more durable than cardboard but not quite a permanent fixture, semi-permanent displays are the perfect middle ground. These displays are designed to last for several months to a year, making them ideal for longer promotional periods or for showcasing a new product line that needs an extended introduction. They are often built from more robust materials like thick corrugated cardboard, acrylic, or lightweight wood. This added durability allows for more creative designs and even the inclusion of elements like lighting or small digital screens, giving the product a more premium feel without the cost of a permanent installation.
Permanent Displays
Permanent displays are long-term installations designed to be a staple in the retail environment for a year or more. Constructed from highly durable materials like metal, solid wood, or heavy-duty plastic, these fixtures are built to withstand daily wear and tear. They are often used to create a dedicated brand space within a store, like a makeup counter or a display for high-end electronics. Developing a permanent display is a significant investment, which is why many retailers partner with experts in custom fixture manufacturing to ensure the final product is high-quality, on-brand, and built to last across multiple locations.
Classification by Format
Beyond how long a display will last, its physical form and where it’s placed in the store are just as important. The format of a POP display determines how customers will interact with it and what kind of products it can hold. From large, aisle-forming units to small signs that attach directly to a shelf, each format has a unique role to play in guiding the customer's shopping journey. Choosing the right format helps ensure your product is seen in the right place at the right time, maximizing its visibility and sales potential.
End Cap Displays
End cap displays are located at the ends of store aisles, making them prime retail real estate. Because they face the main walkways, they have extremely high visibility and are one of the most effective ways to grab a shopper's attention. Retailers use end caps to feature high-margin products, new items, or major promotions. Their prominent position naturally draws the eye, interrupting the normal flow of aisle shopping and encouraging impulse buys. A well-designed end cap can feel like a mini-storefront, creating a powerful focal point for any marketing campaign.
Gondolas
Gondolas are freestanding display units, often with shelving on both sides, that can be used to form aisles or stand alone in an open area. They are incredibly versatile and can be customized with shelves, pegboards, and bins to hold a wide variety of products. You might see them used to create a seasonal section in the middle of a main aisle or to build out a dedicated "shop-in-shop" for a specific brand. Their size and flexibility make them a workhorse for merchandising, allowing retailers to showcase a large amount of product in an organized and accessible way.
Dump Bins
Dump bins are large, open containers typically filled with small, individually packaged products like candy, toys, or sale items. Their design encourages a "treasure hunt" mentality, inviting shoppers to rummage through and find a great deal. They are incredibly effective for promoting impulse purchases and clearing out discounted merchandise. Because they don't require careful arranging, dump bins are easy to stock and maintain, making them a simple and low-effort solution for moving a high volume of small products quickly.
Shelf Talkers
Shelf talkers are small signs that attach directly to the edge of a retail shelf. While they may be small, they are mighty marketing tools. They work by calling attention to a specific product right at the point of decision, highlighting a special price, a new feature, or an award the product has won. They are a cost-effective way to make a product stand out from its competitors on a crowded shelf. Shelf talkers, sometimes called "shelf screamers," effectively break the visual monotony of an aisle and give customers a compelling reason to choose one product over another.
Floor Graphics
Floor graphics are durable, non-slip decals placed directly on the store floor. They are an unexpected and creative way to capture a shopper's attention, as people often look down while walking. These graphics can be used to lead customers to a specific product, announce a promotion, or simply reinforce brand messaging in a high-traffic area. Their novelty can surprise and delight shoppers, making them a memorable part of the in-store experience and an effective tool for guiding traffic and influencing purchasing decisions.
Pallet Displays
Pallet displays, also known as pallet shippers, are a type of display where products are merchandised directly on the shipping pallet they arrived on. These are common in warehouse clubs and grocery stores for selling items in bulk. They come in various sizes, such as full, half, and quarter pallets, and are a highly efficient way to get a large volume of product onto the sales floor with minimal setup. This format is ideal for fast-moving consumer goods, seasonal items, and products on special promotion, as it communicates value and abundance to the shopper.
Digital and Interactive Displays
Bringing technology into the aisle, digital and interactive displays use screens to engage customers in a dynamic way. These can range from simple displays that loop a video advertisement to complex interactive kiosks with touchscreens that allow shoppers to browse product information, view tutorials, or even place custom orders. This technology captures attention effectively and can educate customers on products with complex features. The design and engineering of these displays are key to creating an intuitive and engaging user experience that ultimately drives sales.
Making POP Displays Work for Your Brand
Using POP displays for in-store marketing can help tell stories about your product and even drive impulse purchases. And with various options available, you’ll find something that works for your store. The key is finding the right partner to provide quality artistry at an accessible price point.
We know how important quality fixtures are, so we craft each piece with artistry and affordability top of mind. With one simple step - finding us - take control over that bottom line and make those profits soar with POP displays and more. Check out S-CUBE Fixtures today!
Key Questions to Ask Before Design
Before you dive into the creative side of things, it’s smart to lay a strategic foundation. A successful POP display starts with answering a few fundamental questions. First, what is your primary goal? Are you trying to introduce a brand-new product, clear out seasonal inventory, or simply get your brand name in front of more people? Your objective will shape every other decision you make. Next, think about who you’re trying to reach. A display designed for tech-savvy young adults will look very different from one targeting busy parents. Understanding your audience is crucial for creating a design that resonates. Answering these questions upfront ensures the design and engineering phase is focused and effective.
Finally, consider the physical placement of the display. Where will it live inside the store? High-traffic areas like main aisles or end caps are prime real estate, but you need to know the specific dimensions and environmental factors. Will it be near a window with natural light, or will it require its own lighting? Thinking about the location helps determine the display’s size, shape, and material requirements. A well-placed display in a busy spot where customers make quick decisions can make all the difference. Taking the time to think through these key points will set your POP display up for success from the very beginning.
Best Practices for an Effective Display
Once you have a clear strategy, you can focus on the design and execution. Creating a POP display that not only grabs attention but also encourages a purchase involves a few proven tactics. It’s about blending creativity with clear communication to make the shopping experience easy and enjoyable for your customers. By following a few best practices, you can ensure your display stands out for all the right reasons and contributes directly to your sales goals. These principles guide everything from the text you use to the colors you choose, turning a simple fixture into a powerful selling tool.
Keep the Message Clear
In a busy retail environment, you only have a few seconds to capture a shopper's attention. That’s why your display’s message must be simple, direct, and easy to understand at a glance. Avoid cluttering your display with too much text or confusing jargon. Instead, use a short, punchy headline paired with strong, high-quality images that show the product in its best light. The goal is for a customer to walk by, immediately grasp what you're selling, and understand its main benefit without having to stop and read a lengthy explanation. Think of it as a billboard in the aisle—the message should be instant and impactful.
Use Eye-Catching Design
Your display needs to visually interrupt a shopper's journey down the aisle. This is where bold design choices come into play. Use bright, contrasting colors and interesting shapes that align with your brand’s identity. The display should feel like a natural extension of your brand, so consistency in fonts, colors, and overall vibe is key. But don't be afraid to get creative with materials or even add elements like lighting to make it pop. A well-designed display not only attracts the eye but also communicates quality and professionalism, which can build trust with customers. You can see some great examples of how custom fixtures bring brands to life in our project gallery.
Choose a High-Traffic Location
You could have the most beautifully designed display in the world, but if it’s tucked away in a forgotten corner of the store, it won’t perform. Placement is everything. Work with the retailer to secure a spot in a high-traffic area where your target customers are likely to be. End caps, the front of the store, and main aisles are all excellent choices. You should also consider placing your display near complementary products. For example, a display for gourmet pasta sauce would do well in the pasta aisle. The right location ensures maximum visibility and puts your product in the path of shoppers who are already in a buying mindset.
Include a Clear Call to Action
After you’ve captured a shopper’s attention and communicated your product’s value, you need to tell them what to do next. A clear call to action (CTA) removes any guesswork and gently guides the customer toward making a purchase. Your CTA should be direct and action-oriented. Simple phrases like "Buy Now," "Try a Free Sample," or "Scan for 20% Off" are incredibly effective. Make the CTA a prominent part of your display’s design so it’s impossible to miss. This simple step can be the final nudge a customer needs to move a product from the display into their shopping cart.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose between a POP and a POS display for my product? Think about your customer’s mindset and your product’s story. A POP display is your best choice when you need space to tell a story, showcase a new product line, or feature a promotion in the main shopping aisles where customers are still browsing. On the other hand, a POS display is perfect for smaller, low-cost items that don't need much explanation and can trigger a last-minute impulse buy right at the checkout counter.
With so many types, how do I pick the right POP display format for my campaign? The best format depends on your specific goal and the product itself. If you want to make a big splash with a new item, an end cap display offers the most visibility. If you're trying to move a high volume of small, discounted products, a dump bin is a simple and effective solution. Consider your product's size, your campaign's duration, and where in the store you want to capture attention to narrow down the best option.
What's the very first step I should take when planning a custom POP display? Before you even think about colors or materials, you need to define your primary objective. Ask yourself: what is the single most important thing this display needs to accomplish? Is it to sell a specific number of units, educate shoppers about a new feature, or simply build brand awareness? Starting with a clear, measurable goal will guide every other decision in the design and engineering process, ensuring the final product delivers real results.
Are custom displays a good investment for a temporary or seasonal promotion? Absolutely. A custom display doesn't have to be a permanent, expensive fixture. For short-term campaigns, you can use cost-effective materials like cardboard to create something visually stunning that’s designed to last for the exact length of your promotion. The investment is measured by the direct lift in sales and brand visibility it generates during that specific period, making it a highly effective and targeted marketing tool.
Can a single display design work for all of my different store locations? While creating a consistent brand experience across all your stores is important, a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works perfectly. A great design concept can serve as the foundation, but it often needs slight modifications to fit the unique layouts and dimensions of different locations. The key is to partner with a provider who can manage a full rollout, adapting the core design as needed to ensure it looks and performs its best in every single store.
Key Takeaways
- Strategically Interrupt Shoppers with POP Displays: Use these displays in high-traffic aisles to tell a product story and drive impulse decisions, reserving smaller POS displays for simple, last-minute items at the checkout.
- Align Your Display with Your Campaign Goals: Select the right type of display based on your objective—use temporary cardboard for short-term sales, or invest in durable, permanent fixtures for long-term brand building.
- Success Lies in Simplicity and Placement: An effective display combines a clear, simple message with a bold design. Place it in a high-traffic location and include a direct call to action to guide customers from looking to buying.