Different Types of Point-of-Purchase Displays?

I see shoppers rush past shelves. I feel that pressure. I must grab attention fast, hit price points, and win space. I solve that with simple, clear, and strong displays.

Point-of-purchase displays include floor stands, endcaps, pallet displays, countertop PDQs, shelf trays, dump bins, clip strips, and interactive units. I choose the type by location, packout, footprint, timeline, budget, and brand goals.

I will break each question down. I will show clear types, fast examples, and simple tables. I will share lessons from my factory floor. I will keep the language plain and useful.

What are the types of point of sale display?

Shoppers decide fast. Space is tight. Staff is busy. I need the right display type to fit the spot, the product, and the season.

Common POS display types are floor displays, endcaps, pallet displays, aisle violators, dump bins, shelf trays, clip strips, power wings, and countertop PDQs. I match the type with product weight, price point, impulse level, and dwell time.

How I map types to store reality

I split by where shoppers pause and how heavy the product is. I also check store rules and ship tests. Floor displays take center stage and often move volume. Reports show floor units can hold the biggest share in many POP segments, which matches what I see. Countertop and power wings trigger impulse near checkout. Pallet displays win in club stores because staff can drop them in fast. I build with corrugated board because it is strong, light, and fully printable. I keep designs flat-pack to cut freight and time. I run water-based inks to meet buyer rules in North America and Europe. I push digital print¹ for short runs and fast refresh. In APAC, growth is strong, so I keep modular tools to localize art in days, not weeks.

Quick selector table

What is an example of a point of purchase display?

Deadlines hit hard. A buyer calls and asks for a fast launch. I need a design that ships flat, sets up in minutes, and holds weight.

A classic POP example is a corrugated floor display with four shelves, printed branding, assembly in minutes, and a QR code for content. Staff places it in an aisle and loads product.

How I ship a fast, strong floor unit

I start with load data⁴. I confirm product count per shelf and total weight. I spec single-wall or double-wall board by shelf span. I add hidden risers or tabs at stress points. I print digital for speed and color match. I use water-based coating⁵ for rub resistance. I pack with a color step sheet so staff sets it up right first time. I add a QR to link to video or to warranty. I run a simple drop test and a short vibration test that matches the route. For hunting accessories or tools, I include high hooks or trays with back lips. I keep color simple so brand stands out even under store lights. I mark cartons with large “1/3, 2/3, 3/3” so the team knows the order. This saves minutes and avoids missing parts.

Build plan table

What are the different types of pop displays?

People use POP to mean many things. That causes delay. I keep a simple map that the whole team can follow fast.

POP displays include temporary corrugated units, semi-permanent mixed-material units, and permanent fixtures. I group by placement: pallet, endcap, floor stand, shelf tray, power wing, countertop PDQ, and dump bin.

My simple POP framework

I first choose duration. Temporary runs four to twelve weeks and suits corrugated board. Semi-permanent runs up to six months and can add acrylic, metal hooks, or wood caps. Permanent runs a year or more and needs stronger frames. Then I choose placement by shopper flow. Pallet for club stores and fast drops. Endcap for traffic grabs. Floor stand for launches. Shelf tray for facings and tidy counts. Power wing for secondary spots near the main shelf. Countertop PDQ for last-second add-ons. I add small changes for each region. North America favors ship-ready trays⁸ and PDQ for big box rules. Europe pushes eco claims and clean recycling marks. APAC needs agile art swaps and fast reorders. I design for return on space, not just looks. I remove parts that do not sell more. This keeps cost down when pulp prices move.

Duration × placement table

What are the four types of point of sale system?

Displays move product, but checkout flow closes the sale. I pick a POS type that matches staff size, store size, and data needs.

Four common POS system types are mobile POS (mPOS), traditional countertop/terminal POS, cloud POS, and self-service kiosk POS. Each type handles payment, inventory, and reporting with different hardware and workflows.

How POS type impacts displays

I link displays with the POS journey. mPOS¹¹ helps staff close near a floor stand during rush. Cloud POS¹² syncs stock, so my QR on the header shows live availability. A kiosk at the endcap lets shoppers check size and variants. A terminal POS at checkout pairs with a PDQ for add-ons. I keep NFC tags on displays to log scans by location. This shows which store zones work best. It also guides the next run. I plan power needs only for kiosks; all other units stay passive to simplify setup. I avoid heavy screens on corrugated when the program is short. This keeps cost tight and makes recycling easy. I test receipt copy to include a short survey link. This ties sales back to the display code.

POS comparison table

What is the difference between POS and POP displays?

Teams mix these terms. That causes bad briefs and rework. I write them in bold on the kickoff board.

POS is the point of sale system or checkout area that processes transactions. POP is the point-of-purchase display that drives interest and selection anywhere in the store. POS closes the sale. POP creates the sale.

Keep the roles clean

I design POP to earn attention and educate. I add strong headers, clear price, and easy packout. I place it where eyes slow down. I design POS to reduce friction. I keep payment smooth and fast. I use POS data¹⁵ to measure the lift from POP. I test A/B with and without the unit. I then adjust copy, shelf span, or graphic blocks. In club and discount channels, I lean on pallet and PDQ formats because labor is tight. In specialty, I add richer copy and hooks. In Europe, I add recycling marks and simple disposal notes. In North America, I add warranty and UPC callouts. When tariffs or freight rise, I condense parts and switch to lighter board grades while keeping strength with smart folds.

Role clarity table

What are displays and point of purchase materials?

Materials make or break a program. I must balance cost, strength, speed, and sustainability. I choose simple stacks that print clean and ship safe.

POP displays use corrugated cardboard, paperboard, or mixed materials like acrylic, metal, or wood. Common finishes include water-based coatings, eco adhesives, and digital or flexo print. I choose materials by weight, duration, and recycling rules.

My material playbook for speed and strength

I start with corrugated board¹⁸ for most jobs. It is light, strong, and recyclable. Single-wall handles many loads if I use smart tabs and risers. I use double-wall or honeycomb pads for heavy items. I print digital for short runs and fast color tweaks. I use flexo or offset for long runs to cut unit cost. I keep inks water-based in most regions. I add nano or water-based coats when stores need scuff resistance or light moisture protection. I avoid plastic films when a buyer wants easy recycling. I label parts with bold numbers to cut setup time. I keep glues low-VOC¹⁹. I spec FSC or high-recycled content when buyers ask for it. In APAC growth markets, I keep modular tools so I can swap headers without new dies. This keeps cost stable when pulp or freight moves.

Materials and use table

Conclusion

Choose display type by placement, weight, and time. Pair POP with the right POS flow. Keep materials simple, strong, and easy to recycle. Measure, learn, and repeat.