5 of Our Favorite POP Displays Examples: Plus 5 Principles to Help You Create Your Own

Want to grab shoppers’ attention and boost product visibility in retail spaces? Point-of-purchase (POP) displays are a powerful marketing tool highlighting your products and creating an engaging in-store experience. Whether you’re launching a new product or reinforcing brand presence, the right point-of-purchase display design can make all the difference. Once you’ve discovered some of your favorite POP display examples to learn from, it’s easy to see why they’re so effective!

If you’re unsure where to start, don’t worry—this article will break down some of the most effective types of point-of-purchase displays and share expert tips to help you maximize your product branding strategy.

What Is a Point of Purchase Display?

Widely used in retail stores, POP (point of purchase) displays are marketing materials designed to increase product sales. POP displays can be used to target a particular holiday or season, promote special offers, announce a new product, or draw attention to products on store shelves.

Point of purchase displays come in many forms, from shelf signs and dump bins to freestanding displays and end caps.

What is Point of Purchase Marketing?

Point-of-purchase marketing is the driving force behind point-of-purchase displays, helping brands stand out in a crowded retail space. While traditional shelf placement relies on shoppers actively seeking out your product, POP display examples create a bold, visual presence that draws customers in, sparking curiosity and increasing the likelihood of a purchase.

A well-designed point-of-purchase display design doesn’t just showcase your product—it tells a story, builds brand recognition, and influences last-minute buying decisions. With the right strategy, types of point-of-purchase displays can turn casual browsers into loyal customers, making them one of the most effective tools in any retail marketing playbook.

What is the Difference Between POP and POS?

POP (point of purchase) displays and POS (point of sale) displays are often used interchangeably, but they serve distinct roles in retail marketing. Point of purchase refers to the entire retail environment where customers interact with products, while point of sale is the specific location where transactions occur, such as checkout counters.

Learning to understand strategies for both is easiest if you start with POP display examples that enhance product visibility throughout a store. However, while you are learning about point of purchase displays, keep in mind that many of these techniques can also be applied to point-of-sale displays to drive last-minute purchases at checkout.

Types of Point of Purchase Displays

While there is an almost endless array of ways to grab attention and feature your brand using POP displays, some types of point-of-purchase displays that are better than others. Here is a rundown of some of our favorites.

Floor Graphics

Floor graphics are a highly effective tool in point-of-purchase display design, strategically placed to capture attention and direct shoppers toward a specific product. Positioned in front of a shelf where the product is stocked, these graphics serve as subtle yet persuasive guides that make it easier for customers to locate what they need.

A well-designed point-of-purchase display using floor graphics can do more than just inform—it can engage. Creative designs, interactive elements, or eye-catching visuals can make a product stand out in a crowded retail environment. Whether it’s a playful game that appeals to kids, like this clever Nesquik graphic, or bold directional graphics that lead customers straight to a featured item, floor graphics turn unused space into an opportunity to boost sales and enhance brand visibility.

Shelf Talkers

Hanging signs on store shelving are referred to as shelf talkers. They are designed to catch the customer’s eye and make a brand or product stand out from similar products on the shelf.

Shelf talkers are also great for highlighting special promotions or educating customers about specific benefits of a competitor’s product. Also known as “hang tags,” shelf talkers are one of the most cost-effective ways to gain attention and increase sales.

This clever shelf talker, featuring Pop Secret popcorn, draws attention with its 3D design, making you feel like you can reach out and touch the freshly popped kernels.

Dump Bins

Most often used for small items or special promotions, dump bins are display fixtures designed to encourage buyers to grab multiple items. Products are often displayed in large quantities, sometimes at bargain prices.

The best feature of dump bins is that they are freestanding and can be placed in the most strategic locations and accessed from all sides. Dump bins also provide plenty of real estate for brand messaging so advertisers can get creative.

This dump bin display features several Frito Lay products, along with product pictures and special pricing to encourage shoppers to grab and go.

Freestanding Displays

Freestanding displays are among the most versatile types of point-of-purchase displays, offering flexibility in both placement and design. Unlike traditional shelf displays, these standalone units can be strategically positioned in high-traffic areas to capture customer attention and drive sales.

A well-designed point-of-purchase display leverages product shapes, bold visuals, and clear messaging to create an engaging shopping experience for the customer. With ample space for highlighting key benefits, freestanding displays make showcasing a product’s unique value easy while eliminating the constraints of limited shelf space. Whether placed near checkout lanes, store entrances, or promotional zones, these displays are a powerful tool for increasing visibility and encouraging impulse purchases.

This freestanding display for Walkers crackers is a perfect example. Notice how the entire display is shaped like the bags of their crackers, while featuring individual shelves for multiple varieties. The words ‘Oven Baked’ are prominently displayed, highlighting a key benefit to health-conscious consumers.

End Caps

The in-store display that consumers are most familiar with is the end cap, a display placed conveniently at the end of an aisle where two aisle shelving units meet. Like freestanding displays, end caps allow you to set your product in high-traffic areas without additional shelf space. They also attract a lot of attention since most customers will need to pass them while on their way to other locations in the store.

This end cap, featuring Pepsi products, grabs attention with prominent pictures of the main brand and several varieties of Pepsi products arranged in a pleasing, colorful display.

What Your POP Display Needs: Key Design Principles

After exploring POP display examples, it’s time to focus on the essential design principles that make a display truly effective. A well-crafted point-of-purchase display design does more than showcase a product—it captures attention, tells a story, and persuades customers to take action. Remember these core principles to create a point-of-purchase display that stands out.

Color Matters

Color psychology plays a crucial role in consumer behavior. Warm tones like red, orange, and yellow often trigger urgency and impulse purchases, making them great for limited-time promotions. Cooler tones like blue and green can evoke trust, health, and relaxation—ideal for wellness or eco-friendly products. Aligning the color palette with the brand’s message and target audience is key to maximizing impact.

Clear, Concise Messaging

Shoppers make split-second decisions, so messaging must be quick and compelling. Keep text short and impactful—ideally between five to seven words—to instantly communicate the product’s main benefit. Calls to action should be direct, encouraging engagement and reinforcing why the product is worth buying.

Relatability Creates Connection

Consumers respond to familiarity, so incorporating relatable imagery—whether through human faces, lifestyle photography, or well-crafted characters—helps forge an emotional connection. A great point-of-purchase display design makes shoppers envision themselves using the product, increasing the likelihood of a purchase.

Displays Should Be Intuitive

Interactive displays that feature sound, motion, or scent can enhance the shopping experience, but they must be easy to use. Simple prompts like “Press Here,” “Lift to Smell,” or “Try It Now” encourage engagement while ensuring a seamless experience. If a display confuses shoppers, it won’t drive the intended results.

Show the Benefits; Don’t Just Tell

Shoppers are drawn to visual proof. Instead of relying solely on text, use imagery, graphics, or product demonstrations to illustrate the benefits. Point-of-purchase displays should instantly clarify the value, whether it’s a before-and-after comparison, a hands-on sample, or a dynamic product demo.

Bring Your Point of Purchase Display Vision to Life

A successful point-of-purchase display requires thoughtful design, strategic messaging, and a clear understanding of customer behavior. Creating a standout display doesn’t have to be overwhelming—expert guidance makes all the difference.

At The H&H Group, transforming retail spaces with engaging point-of-purchase displays is what we do best. Whether you need innovative signage, interactive exhibits, or a complete retail marketing strategy, our team is ready to help bring your vision to life. Serving Central Pennsylvania and beyond since 1973, we’d love to collaborate on your next POP marketing project. Let’s make something impactful—contact us today!