It’s an exciting moment when your product is going to be stocked on retail shelves. Your audience will increase and hopefully, your sales too. But as you peruse the aisles for your brand – you realise just how crowded retail shelves can be. Is there any way to stand out from the crowd? We think a POS display could be your answer. Here’s what they are, why they matter and how to design a great one.
What is a POS display?
A POS display is a promotional stand that makes your product more noticeable in a busy store environment. They are often found in large retailers, supermarkets and at trade shows or events.
POS displays may be permanent or temporary. Permanent displays typically use materials like wood, glass and metal. Temporary displays are frequently made from corrugated cardboard – ideal for short-term use that is not wasteful.Â
POP vs POS display
You may have heard of POP displays as well as POS displays. But, is there a difference? Yes, and no. To put it simply, these acronyms have different meanings but they can be used interchangeably.
POS = point of sale
POP = point of purchase
Depending who you ask, either term could refer to the final checkout point or to shelving units placed around a store. The important thing to remember is that both refer to units or displays which are separate to regular shelving. They are meant to stand out and give your products an edge with customers.
In this article, we’ll be referring to all types as a POS display. For more common acronyms, read our glossary of packaging terms.
Why use a POS display?Â
The original purpose of a POS display was to incentivise impulse purchases. While that still rings true, there are other reasons a business may invest in a POS display, such as:
- Offload excess stock or run a sale
- Introduce a new product line
- Separate your brand from crowded shelves, helping it stand out
POS displays may also help newer businesses get stocked by major retailers. If a retailer you approach says they have no shelf space, perhaps they have floor space. You could suggest a POS display to get your stock in stores – and if all goes well, start the conversation on becoming a permanent fixture.Â
Different types of POS display
There are three types of POS displays that most businesses use – floor stands, counter displays and promotional displays.
Floor stands
Floor stands are one of the most easily recognised POS displays. They are often seen at the end of an aisle or in large, empty spaces. A great example is a seasonal card display which pops up around special holidays like Valentine’s Day or Christmas. While shelving units are the most popular floor display, another option is a dump bin – often used for clearance items.
Counter displays
Counter displays are much smaller than floor stands and are designed to facilitate that final impulse buy. A great example of counter displays is the shoe cleaner or leather protector offered by many shoe retailers. It’s a low-cost product that has high value to the customer – making it easy to upsell at the last minute.
Promotional displays
Most of the time a POS display will be used to highlight certain products. But, there is another option. Promotional displays can boost your brand profile and give customers a chance to interact with your business. This works well at trade shows or events and can also be used by businesses without a physical product to sell. To make the most of a promotional display, you could run a competition or use it as a photo opportunity to increase brand exposure and word of mouth marketing.
How to design a great POS display
Designing a great POS display is 50 per cent creativity and 50 per cent planning. Here are our top tips for what makes a good POS display.
1. Set your intention
Before you begin designing, really consider what your POS display is for. The way you’d set up a sale display is different to how you might launch a new product line. Since corrugated cardboard is fully recyclable, you can design the best display for your needs right now and worry less about its long-term impact.
2. Focus on eye-catching design
The idea of a POS display is to capture attention with customers. Eye-catching design that uses bold colours, large typeface and simple messaging will really make your brand shine.
3. Make it interactive
In the digital age, we can interact with almost anything. Take advantage of tech like QR codes to add an experience to your POS display. For example, you could send customers to your website, a promo video or tutorial to help them see greater value in your brand.
4. Easy to assemble
Most POS displays are delivered flat-packed and it’s up to the staff to set them up. A good POS display will use a simple design with only a few pieces. This makes it easy to assemble and later on to take apart.
Reach out to Melbourne’s POS display experts
Echo Cartons are a family-run business based in Melbourne, Victoria. We’ve built our reputation on superior service, friendly advice and quality box manufacturing. Working with SMEs around Australia, you can trust our experts to design a fantastic POS display for your business. To get started, simply request a quote.
