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Last updated November 10, 2026. We review this article every six months, so the next review is May 2027.
Planning displays for 2027 retail resets? These seven tips cover what to settle before you order.
A point-of-purchase (POP) display sells when it sits where shoppers make decisions, delivers one clear message at a glance, and is built to meet the retailer’s space and assembly rules. Industry research from POPAI found that most purchase decisions are made inside the store, which is exactly where a display does its work.
Getting product onto a shelf is only half the battle. Once it is there, your package sits beside dozens of look-alike competitors. A well-designed POP display gives your brand its own space, its own message and a reason for the shopper to stop. This guide covers what the research says and seven practical steps for building a display that earns its floor space.
Why POP displays still matter: what the research shows
The most widely cited shopper research comes from POPAI (the Point of Purchase Advertising International association). Its studies found that shoppers make most buying decisions after they walk into the store:
- POPAI’s 2012 study reported that 76% of buying decisions are made in the store, and that nearly one in six brand purchases happens when a display for that brand is present.
- Its 2014 mass-merchant study put the in-store decision rate at 82%, and found that 34% of those shoppers made no shopping list at all.
- In that same study, 16% of unplanned purchases were driven by a display the shopper saw while walking the store.
- A 2014 retail compliance study by Shop! credited displays in the mass-merchant channel with a 32% increase in product sales.
Two honest caveats. First, these are the best-known public figures, but they date from 2012 to 2014, so treat them as directional and run your own test (see tip 7). Second, displays do not work automatically. A 2010 in-store experiment on dishwashing liquid found no change in relative sales when a lower-priced competing product sat nearby. A display has to give the shopper a reason to choose you, not just information.
7 practical tips for designing a POP display that sells
1. Start with one goal and one message
Decide what the display must do: launch a new item, drive trial, trigger an impulse buy, cross-sell, or support a seasonal promotion. Then write the single message that supports it. Displays that try to say five things usually say none of them.
2. Match the format to where it will sit
Format follows placement. Floor displays and pallet displays create a stand-alone destination in an aisle or at an end cap. Counter-top displays capture impulse purchases near the register. Corrugated point-of-sale displays suit promotions that run for weeks or months. See our full range of custom displays for more options.
3. Design for a glance
Shoppers walk past quickly. Use a large brand mark, one benefit statement, strong color contrast and visible product. Put the offer or price where the eye lands first. If the product is the hero, let shoppers see and touch it.
4. Make the product easy to reach and easy to refill
Keep the product at a comfortable reach height, and give store staff a fast refill path. A display that is hard to restock ends up half empty, and a half-empty display sends a poor brand signal. A header card or topper can add height and visibility without adding floor space.
5. Build to the retailer’s rules before you finalize artwork
Retailers set limits on footprint, height, weight capacity and assembly effort. Many programs are built around standard pallet footprints, and displays that ship flat and assemble quickly are easier for stores to accept. Ask the buyer for a display spec sheet first, so your design does not get rejected after production.
6. Choose materials and print quality to match the display’s life
Corrugated is the standard choice for temporary and semi-permanent displays. For photo-quality graphics, litho-label corrugated places high-resolution printing on a sturdy board. Permanent fixtures may call for wood, metal or acrylic. Our corrugated boxes and displays page shows what is possible.
7. Prototype, test and measure
Build a sample before committing to a full run. Then compare stores with the display against similar stores without it, and track sell-through, restock frequency and compliance (whether the display was actually set up as designed). That gives you your own data instead of relying on decade-old studies.
What to have ready before you request a display quote
- Product dimensions, weight and units per display
- Where the display will be placed (floor, counter, end cap, checkout)
- Retailer spec sheet or size limits, if you have one
- Quantity, in-store date and number of stores
- Artwork files or a brand guide
- Whether the display is temporary or long-term
Frequently asked questions
What is a POP display?
A point-of-purchase (POP) display is a printed or fabricated in-store unit placed where customers make buying decisions. It features a product and promotes it with graphics, and it can stand on the floor, sit on a counter or attach to a shelf.
What is the difference between POP and POS displays?
POP covers displays anywhere in the store where a purchase decision happens. POS (point of sale) usually refers to the checkout area. Every POS display is a POP display, but not every POP display is at the register.
Do POP displays actually increase sales?
Industry studies report sales lifts from displays, but results vary by product, placement and price. The reliable way to know is to test displays in some stores against similar stores without them.
How do I order a custom POP display in Texas?
Call Packaging Source Inc. at 214-808-7664 or use our contact page. We design and manufacture displays in our own facility, and you can visit our showroom in Frisco, Texas.
Talk to a display specialist
Packaging Source Inc. has more than 26 years of experience designing and manufacturing POP displays, retail packaging and folding cartons. Contact us or call 214-808-7664 to start your project.
Related reading
- Why Texas Businesses Need POP Displays
- Sell More With A Custom POP Display
- Why Packaging Is Important for Branding
Sources: Supermarket News on POPAI 2012; Retail Customer Experience on POPAI 2014; Image Reports; Frank Mayer; Sigurdsson et al., 2010.