Is the variety of names for cardboard displays confusing you? This makes it hard to talk to suppliers. Let me help you understand the correct terms for your next project.

Cardboard displays are known by many names, often based on their design, location, or function. Common terms include POP (Point of Purchase) displays, corrugated displays, temporary displays, FSDUs (Free Standing Display Units), and retail displays. The specific name helps define its purpose in a store.

Knowing the lingo is more than just sounding professional. It's about precision. When you can pinpoint the exact type of display you need, you save time, avoid costly errors, and get your product to market faster. Over my 16 years in this business, I’ve seen how clear communication is the foundation of a successful display project. It all starts with calling things by their proper name. Let’s break down the most common terms you'll encounter so you can speak the language of displays with confidence.

Are There Different Names Based on a Display's Structure?

You have a great design idea but don't know the industry term for it. Using the wrong name can cause confusion, leading to delays and mistakes in production.

Yes, the structure is one of the main ways we name displays. You'll often hear terms like floor displays, counter displays, pallet displays, and dump bins. Each name describes a specific build designed to hold and present products in a unique way, from single items to bulk promotions.

Understanding these structural names is the first step to turning your concept into a physical display. Each type serves a distinct function in a retail environment. For example, a client once came to me asking for a "big sturdy box for the aisle." They were thinking of a pallet display, but by discussing their needs, we realized a standard Floor Display was a much better fit. It was more cost-effective and easier for stores to handle. Knowing the difference helped them make a smarter choice. Let’s dive deeper into these common structural types.

Primary Structural Categories

Display Type	Common Use Case	Key Feature
Floor Display	New product launches, seasonal promotions	A versatile, freestanding unit with shelves.
Counter Display	Small items, impulse buys at checkout	Compact and sits on a countertop.
Pallet Display	Bulk goods in club stores or large retailers	A pre-packed display that ships on a pallet.
Dump Bin	Discounted items, small individually wrapped goods	An open-topped bin for quick "grab-and-go" shopping.

Floor displays are the workhorses of retail. They can be designed with multiple shelves to showcase a product line. Counter displays are perfect for driving last-minute sales. Pallet displays are all about volume and impact. And dump bins create a treasure-hunt feel for shoppers looking for a deal.

Do We Call Them Something Different Based on Where They Go in a Store?

It's hard to plan a retail campaign without knowing the right term for an end-of-aisle versus a checkout display. This uncertainty complicates strategy and communication with retail partners.

Absolutely. A display’s name often comes from its specific placement within a store. An Endcap Display sits at the end of an aisle, while a POP (Point of Purchase) Display can be anywhere a customer makes a choice. A POS (Point of sale) display is right at the checkout.

The location of a display is directly tied to its marketing goal. Is it meant to disrupt a shopper's journey down the aisle, or is it designed for that final impulse buy at the register? I once worked with a snack brand that wanted to boost sales in convenience stores. We designed a small, vibrant "Sidekick" display. It attached to the side of the main shelving in the chip aisle. This clever placement made their product stand out in a very crowded space, leading to a significant sales lift. The right name defines the right strategy.

Location-Based Terminology

Term	Location in Store	Strategic Goal
Endcap Display	At the end of a retail aisle.	High visibility, major promotions.
POP Display	Throughout the store where buying decisions are made.	Interrupt and educate the shopper.
POS Display	At the checkout counter or transaction area.	Drive impulse purchases.
Sidekick/Power Wing	Hangs off the side of an aisle shelf or endcap.	Grab attention in a crowded category.

People often use Point of Purchase (POP) and Point of Sale (POS) interchangeably, but there's a small difference. POP is broader; it’s where the customer decides to buy. That could be anywhere in the store. POS is specific; it’s where the transaction happens. Knowing this helps you think more clearly about what you want your display to achieve at each point in the customer's journey.

What Are Some 'Insider' Terms I Should Know?

Do you ever feel like you're on the outside looking in when suppliers use industry jargon? Not knowing acronyms like FSDU or PDQ can make you feel less confident in conversations.

The display industry loves its acronyms. The most common ones are FSDU (Free Standing Display Unit), a general term for floor displays, and CDU (Counter Display Unit). You will also hear PDQ (Product Display Quickly), which refers to a shelf-ready tray or case.

Learning these terms will make your conversations with manufacturers much smoother. When I first started 16 years ago, a client asked for a PDQ, and I honestly thought they were just telling me they needed the job done "pretty darn quick." I quickly learned it was a specific type of shelf-ready packaging designed to make life easy for store employees. These terms aren't just slang; they describe features that save time and money. For a designer like you, understanding them means you can design with manufacturing and logistics in mind from the very start.

Key Industry Acronyms

Acronym	Full Name	What It Really Means
FSDU	Free Standing Display Unit	A catch-all term for any floor display. It's very common in Europe.
CDU	Counter Display Unit	A more formal name for a counter display.
PDQ	Product Display Quickly	A shelf-ready display, often a tray, that goes directly on the shelf.
SRP	Shelf-Ready Packaging	Packaging that doubles as a retail display, reducing handling time.

SRP and PDQ are closely related. The main goal is efficiency. Retailers love them because an employee can take the case from the stockroom, tear off a perforated section, and place the entire unit on the shelf in seconds. There's no need to unpack individual items. When you design a PDQ or SRP-compliant display, you're not just creating a marketing tool; you're creating a logistics solution. This provides huge value to both the brand and the retailer.

Conclusion

Knowing these display names helps you communicate your vision clearly. It ensures the final product matches your idea, turning your creative design into a real-world success in stores.