Are your products overlooked on busy shelves? This leads to lost sales and a forgotten brand. Custom POP displays solve this, making your products impossible to miss.

Custom POP (Point of Purchase) displays are specially designed marketing fixtures placed near checkout counters or high-traffic areas. They use unique branding to grab customer attention, showcase products effectively, and drive impulse buys, which directly increases in-store sales.

I've spent 16 years in this industry, and I've seen firsthand how a great display can transform a product's success. It is not just about holding items; it's about telling a story and creating a connection with the customer right at the moment of decision. But what exactly are these powerful tools? Let's break it down and look at how they can work for you. I promise, by the end of this, you will see your store's shelves in a completely new light.

What exactly are POP displays?

Ever wonder what those eye-catching store displays are called? Not knowing the term can make finding the right solution difficult. POP displays are strategic, powerful sales tools.

POP (Point of Purchase¹) displays are marketing materials placed where customers make their buying decisions. They can be anything from a small counter unit to a large floor stand. Their main job is to highlight a product, promote a deal, and encourage a purchase right there.

The term "Point of Purchase¹" is key. These displays are placed at the exact points in a store where a customer's journey and a product meet. I've worked on designs for every corner of a store, from the entrance to the checkout line. It all comes down to intercepting the customer when they are most open to a new idea or an unplanned purchase. For my clients, choosing the right type of display is the first step. You need to match the display to the product and the location. A small, delicate item gets lost in a huge floor display, while a new beverage line needs a big presence to get noticed. It's a balance of function and location. We often break down the options to help our clients choose wisely.

Common Types of POP Displays

How can a store use displays to attract more customers?

Does your store feel generic and uninviting? This often means customers walk right past without a second glance. Effective displays can change that, turning heads and drawing people in.

A store attracts customers by using displays that are visually striking, well-placed, and engaging. Use bold colors, unique shapes, and clear messaging². Place them in high-traffic areas³ to interrupt the customer's path. This creates interest and encourages exploration.

After 16 years of designing displays, I can tell you that attraction is not an accident. It is a science. You have to think like a customer who is rushing through the store. What will make them stop? It is not just about being loud; it is about being interesting. A great display pulls a customer out of their routine. We once designed a display for a new brand of organic snacks that was shaped like a giant, hollowed-out tree. Kids would run up to it and parents would follow. That single display did more than just sell snacks; it created a memorable moment and made the entire store feel more fun and engaging. That is the real goal.

Create a Focal Point

Your display needs to be the star of its area. It should draw the eye immediately. We achieve this with unique structural designs or a bold splash of color that stands out from the neutral store shelving.

Tell a Story

A display should do more than hold products. It should tell a story. For a summer promotion, we use bright blues, yellows, and images of beaches. For back-to-school, we might use designs that look like a locker or a school bus. This context helps the customer instantly understand the product's purpose and builds an emotional connection⁴, making a purchase more likely.

What is one powerful way to boost store sales?

Are your sales numbers stuck in a rut? Constantly running sales can eat away at profits. A better way is to encourage impulse buys⁵ with strategic POP displays.

A powerful way to boost sales is by using custom POP displays to trigger impulse purchases. Placing attractive, well-stocked displays with clear offers near checkout or in busy aisles makes it easy for customers to add an unplanned item to their cart, directly increasing the average transaction value.

I remember working with a small chocolate company. Their new product was fantastic, but it was getting lost next to the big brands. We designed a simple but elegant cardboard counter display. It held about two dozen bars and had one clear message: "Your Moment of Bliss." We convinced the retailers to place it right by the register. Within the first month, sales for that chocolate bar increased by over 40%. The product was not on sale. It was just there. It was presented beautifully and was easy to grab. That is the pure power of impulse, and it is a key driver of retail growth.

The Power of Placement

The most reliable place to drive impulse buys⁵ is the checkout counter. Customers are already in a buying mindset and waiting in line, making them receptive to last-minute suggestions.

The "Must-Have" Feeling

Great display design⁶ creates a sense of urgency or desire. Clear graphics showing a delicious snack or a useful gadget can make a customer feel like they "need" the item, even if it was not on their list. This is about visual appeal⁷ and simple, persuasive messaging. It turns a "maybe" into a "yes."

What makes a Point of Purchase¹ (POP) display so effective?

Have you tried displays that just did not work? It is frustrating to waste money on something that does not deliver sales. Let’s look at what separates an effective display from a failure.

A Point of Purchase¹ (POP) display is effective because it intercepts customers at the exact moment they are ready to buy. Its power comes from its ability to combine location (high-traffic), messaging (clear call-to-action), and design (eye-catching) to influence a final purchasing decision.

An effective display is a silent salesperson. It works 24/7 to represent your brand. But for it to work, it has to be designed with the real world in mind. As a designer, my team and I are obsessed with the details that many people overlook. We think about the busy stock person who has to assemble it. We think about the weight of the products and the wear and tear of a busy store. A display that looks great on a computer screen is useless if it collapses on the store floor or is too complicated to set up. Effectiveness is born from a deep understanding of the retail environment⁸. It is where practical engineering meets creative marketing.

Key Factors for an Effective Display

Conclusion

Custom POP displays¹⁰ are essential tools for any brand. They grab attention, create an engaging shopping experience, and drive impulse sales, boosting your success in any retail environment⁸.