POP Display (Point of Purchase): What It Is & How It Drives Sales

What Is a POP Display?

A POP display, or point-of-purchase display, is a promotional merchandising fixture placed near products within a retail environment. These displays are strategically positioned along shopping aisles, near product categories, or in high-traffic zones to capture attention and encourage impulse purchases. Unlike POS displays, which are located at the checkout area, POP displays are distributed throughout the store wherever purchasing decisions are being made.

POP displays are most commonly constructed from corrugated board, making them lightweight, cost-effective, and fully recyclable. They can range from small countertop displays to large freestanding floor stands, and are typically designed as temporary displays for seasonal promotions or product launches.

Why POP Displays Are Effective

Research consistently shows that a significant percentage of purchasing decisions are made in-store. POP displays capitalize on this behavior by placing branded messaging and product directly in the shopper’s path. They create a visual interruption that draws the eye away from standard shelf inventory and toward a featured product or promotion.

The effectiveness of POP displays depends on several factors: bold graphic design, strategic store placement, structural stability, and ease of setup. A well-designed display communicates the brand story at a glance and makes it effortless for shoppers to grab the product and add it to their cart.

Types of Corrugated POP Displays

POP displays come in many configurations to suit different retail environments and marketing goals:

• Endcap displays — positioned at the end of an aisle for maximum visibility from both directions.
• Pallet displays — built on standard 40×48 pallets for high-volume products that ship directly from the truck to the sales floor.
• Sidekick displays — narrow units that attach to existing gondola shelving or endcaps.
• Dump bins — open-top containers ideal for loose, grab-and-go items.
• Shipper displays — packaging that converts from a shipping container into an in-store display.

Design and Manufacturing Considerations

Creating an effective POP display requires collaboration between brand marketers, structural designers, and manufacturing engineers. At President Container Group, our Artisan Display & Packaging division handles every stage of the process — from concept and structural prototyping through high-quality printing and pack-out services via our Tech-Pak division.

Key considerations include board grade selection for weight-bearing requirements, print method (flexographic or lithographic lamination for photographic quality), and die-cutting precision for complex shapes. Sustainability is also a growing factor — our FSC and SFI certifications and solar-powered manufacturing help brands meet their environmental commitments.

When to Use POP Displays

POP displays are ideal for product launches, seasonal promotions, cross-merchandising opportunities, and any campaign where increased in-store visibility is the objective. They work especially well for consumer packaged goods, beverages, snacks, health and beauty products, and electronics accessories. Combined with just-in-time delivery, brands can coordinate display placement precisely with promotional calendars.