Choosing the right type of product display in a retail store can significantly impact how customers interact with and buy products. From high-visibility endcaps to durable permanent fixtures, each display type serves a specific purpose. Factors like store layout, product type, budget and campaign length all play a role in determining the best fit.
This guide by Great Northern Instore explores different retail display examples to help you narrow down your options.
Table of Contents:
Why Retail Displays Matter for Brands
Retail displays play a critical role in how brands connect with consumers. In a crowded marketplace, where consumers are often overwhelmed by choice, well-designed displays help products stand out and influence purchasing decisions. The right retail display will:
- Drive visibility and brand awareness: Retail displays increase product visibility by strategically placing items in a store’s high-traffic areas. A branded endcap or stand-alone display helps customers notice the product, and over time, this exposure builds recognition and trust.
- Influence buying decisions: Effective displays use color, signage, lighting and placement to guide shoppers’ eyes. Clear product information, pricing and brand messaging help the customer choose with confidence.
- Tell the brand story: Retail displays are an extension of a brand’s identity. Through design and messaging, they reflect the brand’s voice, values and benefits.
- Encourage product interaction: Displays that let shoppers touch, test or see the product in use can increase engagement and boost sales. Interactive or demo-focused displays work particularly well for tech, beauty or home products.
- Support promotions and seasonal campaigns: Retail displays can support promotional efforts. Whether it is a back-to-school setup or a holiday-themed layout, these displays create urgency and align with consumer shopping cycles.
Key Types of Displays in Retail
Each display type serves a different purpose. Understanding the strengths of displays like endcaps, floor stands and pallets is key to strategic merchandising decisions that align with shopper behavior.
- Endcap displays: Located at the end of aisles, these displays maximize visibility in high-traffic areas. They’re best for promotions, seasonal items and impulse buys, such as new summer drinks placed at the end of an aisle near checkout.
- Floor displays: These displays can go anywhere on the sales floor to highlight brands outside their shelf placement. You can use them for new product launches and high-margin items. An example would be displaying multiple snack flavors on a branded cardboard stand.
- Shelf displays: A shelf display goes on standard store shelving to enhance product presentation at the shelf level. This option is best for everyday items with strong packaging, like beauty products placed on branded shelf trays.
- Pallet displays: These displays are perfect for big box or warehouse stores. They hold bulk items, such as a pallet of paper towels with branded wraparound graphics.
- Counter displays: You’ll find these displays near cash registers or service counters, meant to drive impulse buys. Counter displays are ideal for small, low-cost items, including gum, lip balm or travel-size products.
- Dump bins: Often placed on the floor near entryways or promotional displays, dump bins hold a large quantity of items. These products are typically discounted or meant to be impulse buys, such as clearance kids’ toys.
While these formats refer to where and how a display is positioned in-store, it is equally important to consider how a display is built and used. Displays can be temporary, permanent, mixed-material, custom, stock and interactive.
Temporary Displays
Temporary displays are designed for short-term use, typically lasting a few weeks to a few months. They support seasonal promotions, product launches and limited-time offers. These displays are often made from corrugated cardboard or lightweight plastics, which are cost-effective and easy to recycle. Additional benefits include:
- Quick to produce and install
- Ideal for test campaigns and promotions
- Low cost with high visibility
- Easily updated or replaced
A temporary display catches attention with bold colors and messaging and is often found near entrances, endcaps or checkout lanes, where shoppers are more likely to make impulse buys. Options include dump bins, standees and corrugated displays. For example, a cereal brand may launch a themed display tied to a movie release and place it near the breakfast aisle. This approach would draw in shoppers, especially families, and boost short-term sales.
Permanent Displays
Permanent displays are built to last a few years. They are typically used for flagship items and high-performing products, or to enhance a brand’s long-term presence in a store. These displays are built from durable materials like metal, wood, acrylic or molded plastic, which support heavy use and frequent stocking. A few key benefits are:
- Enhancing brand identity long term
- Offering a high return on investment over time
- Withstanding wear and heavy foot traffic
- Supporting consistent merchandising
Permanent displays become part of the store environment. They often communicate trust and quality, especially when paired with well-maintained branding and lighting. For example, a cosmetics brand may use a sleek, illuminated display in a retail beauty section that allows customers to browse, test and learn about the products.
Mixed-Material Displays
Mixed-material displays combine different materials, such as metal frames with cardboard graphics or wood bases with plastic signage, to balance design, durability and cost. They offer the following benefits:
- Simple customization
- Durability in key areas like shelving
- Visual appeal
- A premium look with scalable components
These displays offer a polished presentation that elevates the product’s perceived value. They can create an upscale feel without the cost of a permanent display. For example, a tech accessory brand might use metal shelving with branded cardboard headers to showcase phone chargers and headphones.
Custom Displays
Custom displays are fully tailored to a brand’s product, messaging and goals. These displays are designed to stand out, enhance the brand story and reflect specific retail environments. Some top benefits include:
- Unique design tailored to product dimensions and shopper flow
- Strong branding opportunities
- Competitive edge in a crowded category
- Opportunity for storytelling and interaction
Custom displays often make a big impression. A shopper who interacts with a uniquely shaped or themed display may be more likely to engage and remember the brand.
Interactive Displays
Interactive displays invite the customer to touch, try, test or explore a product through physical or digital interaction. These displays can range from simple sampling stations to tech-enabled kiosks with touchscreens, motion sensors or augmented reality. Some advantages are:
- Centralizing customer engagement
- Offering multi-sensory appeal
- Being technology-forward with digital components like screens
- Supporting shopper insights with reliable engagement metrics
Interactive displays create meaningful, two-way experiences that draw attention and build brand connection. When done well, they make the shopping experience more personal, informative and enjoyable, converting interest into action.
How to Choose the Right Display for Your Brand
Choosing the right retail display is a strategic decision that should align with a brand’s objectives, budget, product type and the retail environment.
Understand the Product Requirements
Different products may need to be displayed in unique ways. A display that performs well for lightweight packaged snacks may be unsuitable for larger, high-value electronics. Consider the following potential requirements:
- Size and weight: Heavier items need sturdy shelving, while lighter items can be supported by cardboard.
- Packaging: Is the product visually strong enough to be the hero, or does it need more signage to communicate its benefits?
- Stocking needs: If the display will be restocked regularly, it may need a more sturdy material.
- Product type: Fragile, refrigerated or interactive products typically require specialized display solutions.
Know the Retail Environment
Retail displays must work within the constraints and opportunities of the in-store environment. Big box stores often have more space available or allow permanen
t displays, while convenience stores need compact, easy-to-assemble displays. Club stores or warehouse formats focus on volume, so they may require heavy-duty pallet displays with ample products.
Align With Budget and Timeline
Budget and production lead time will influence whether a brand can invest in permanent, custom designs or should consider temporary alternatives. Temporary displays are cost-effective and quick to produce — ideal for short promotions. In comparison, permanent or mixed-material displays require a larger upfront investment but offer long-term value.
Remember to consider shipping and installation costs, too. Some displays may be prepacked and ready to go, while others require assembly or special freight handling.
Match the Display to Brand Identity
Every retail touch point reinforces the brand. The display should feel like an extension of the packaging, advertising and brand voice. Luxury brands often choose high-end mat
erials and minimalistic design, while eco-conscious brands like to emphasize recyclable materials or natural finishes. For example, a natural beverage brand might use wood or kraft board in its display to highlight its clean-label ingredients and sustainable values.
Consider Shopper Behavior and Experience
Think from the consumer’s perspective. What will make them stop, engage and act? Eye-level placement improves visibility and interaction, while clear signage with concise messaging helps shoppers quickly understand product benefits. For better convenience, make sure consumers have easy access to the display and products.
Plan for Scalability and Flexibility
If the brand is available in multiple stores or regions, displays should be adaptable. Consider:
- Design consistency: Can the same design be used across different retailers?
- Display flexibility: Is the display modular, allowing for parts to be reused or updated seasonally?
- Display scalability: Can graphics be swapped out to reflect new messaging without rebuilding the entire unit?
Sustainability in Retail Display
Sustainability is an increasingly important factor in retail display design, as brands and retailers work to reduce environmental impact while meeting consumer expectations. Eco-conscious shoppers are looking beyond products — they are paying attention to how those products are presented.
Sustainable retail displays typically focus on material selection, modularity and end-of-life planning. These efforts include using recyclable or biodegradable materials like corrugated cardboard, wood or steel. Displays are also being designed for reuse or easy disassembly to support recycling and reduce landfill waste.
Many retailers now partner with vendors with environmental certifications, and some opt for digital and interactive displays that reduce the need for printed signage. Ultimately, sustainable display choices can align with corporate social responsibility goals while reinforcing brand values and improving the in-store customer experience.
Elevating Your Brand With the Right Display Partner
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to retail displays. Your choice depends on product strategy, timeline and in-store environment.
The best display strikes a balance between brand aesthetics and retail functionality. It should look great, perform well in-store and enhance the shopping experience. By weighing the benefits of each display type, from format to construction, you can create a merchandising strategy that drives engagement, supports sales and reflects your brand’s values.
