Are your products getting lost on crowded shelves? You need a solution that grabs attention instantly and maximizes your retail floor space without breaking your budget.
Yes, we offer tiered floor display stands designed to organize products vertically for maximum visibility. These tiered structures, often called "waterfall" or "step" displays, are perfect for holding multiple SKUs. We customize the tier depth and height to fit your specific packaging and retail requirements.

Finding the right tiered design can be tricky, but understanding the basics of retail display terminology helps us create the perfect structure for your brand.
What are storefront displays called?
Confused by the jargon used in retail marketing? Knowing the right terms is the first step to communicating your needs clearly to manufacturers and getting exactly what you want.
Storefront displays are collectively known as Point-of-Purchase (POP) displays or Point-of-Sale (POS) materials. Specifically, you might hear terms like floor stands, dump bins, end caps, or pallet displays. The specific name often depends on the display’s location within the store and its structural design.

Decoding Retail Terminology and Structural Classifications
Understanding the specific classifications of displays is vital because different retailers have different compliance standards. Floor displays currently dominate the Point-of-Purchase (POP) market1, holding a massive share—around 43.7% according to recent industry reports. This dominance exists because floor units offer the highest visual impact. Within this category, you will encounter several specific types. "End Caps" are placed at the end of aisles and are highly coveted real estate in stores like Walmart or Target. "PDQ" displays (Pretty Darn Quick) are smaller trays that usually sit on shelves or counters but can be integrated into floor stands.
When sourcing from manufacturing hubs like China to markets in the US or Europe, clarity is key. If you ask for a "display," you might get a counter unit when you needed a pallet display. Pallet displays2 are distinct because they are built onto a shipping pallet for rapid deployment in warehouse clubs like Costco. The corrugated cardboard market is growing globally, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, but the standards for material strength vary. A "Floor Stand" intended for heavy hunting gear requires a completely different internal structure—often involving double-wall corrugated board or internal dividers—compared to a stand for potato chips. Misnaming your requirement can lead to receiving a prototype that fails under load.
| Display Term | Typical Location | Primary Use Case | Structural Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor Stand3 | Aisles or open floor | New product launches, high volume stock | Medium to High |
| End Cap4 | End of shelving aisles | High-visibility promotions, seasonal items | High (Strict sizing) |
| Pallet Display | Warehouse store floors | Bulk items, "Grab and Go" style | High (Heavy load bearing) |
| Counter/PDQ | Checkout or shelf | Impulse buys, small items | Low |
| Dump Bin | Open floor areas | Loose items, clearance sales | Medium |
I know that terminology can get confusing when you are dealing with overseas suppliers. At PopDisplay, my team bridges this gap by providing 3D renderings based on your initial description. You do not need to know the exact technical term; you just show me your product, and I will design the correct structure, whether it is a pallet display for a warehouse club or a sleek floor stand for a boutique.
What is the purpose of a display stand?
Why invest in a standalone structure when you have shelf space? Relying solely on standard shelving often means your product blends into the background rather than standing out.
The primary purpose of a display stand is to interrupt the shopper’s journey and capture attention. It moves your product off the crowded shelf and into high-traffic areas. Beyond visibility, these stands educate customers, reinforce brand identity through graphics, and organize inventory to make buying easier.

Strategic Functions Beyond Mere Product Holding
While it might seem like a display stand is just a box to hold things, its engineering serves a much deeper strategic purpose. First, it acts as a silent salesperson. In the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and cosmetic sectors, the display must communicate the brand story without human intervention. This is where high-quality printing5 becomes a non-negotiable factor. If the colors on your cardboard display do not match your product packaging, consumer trust drops instantly. The display must also function as a logistical tool. With the rise of urbanization and retail expansion, displays now need to be easy to transport and assemble.
Cardboard displays are increasingly preferred over metal or plastic because they offer flexibility. We can cut, fold, and print them to accommodate odd-shaped products—like a crossbow or a unique beverage bottle—which standard shelving cannot support securely. Furthermore, sustainability is driving the purpose of modern displays. Brands are under pressure to use recyclable materials. A corrugated display fulfills the purpose of being an eco-friendly marketing tool6, using recycled fibers and water-based inks. However, the challenge lies in balancing this eco-friendliness with durability. A display that collapses due to humidity or weight fails its primary purpose. Therefore, the structural design must account for the retail environment’s specific conditions, such as moisture levels in a grocery store or the physical wear and tear in a busy toy aisle.
| Function | Description | Key Performance Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Visibility7 | Separates product from competitors | Customer dwell time |
| Stock Organization | Keeps multiple SKUs neat and accessible | Restocking speed |
| Education | Uses text/images to explain features | Conversion rate |
| Logistics | Protects product during transit | Damage reduction |
| Sustainability8 | Reduces environmental footprint | Recyclability % |
We understand that a display failing in a retail store is a nightmare for a brand owner. That is why we perform rigorous load-bearing tests in my factory before mass production. We focus on ensuring that the purpose of your display—to sell and protect—is never compromised by poor material choices, giving you peace of mind when your goods hit the floor.
How do display stands increase sales?
Do you want to see a measurable spike in your sell-through rates? Placing your product in the right context can turn a casual browser into an immediate buyer.
Display stands increase sales by leveraging impulse buying psychology and improving product accessibility. High-impact graphics draw the eye, while a standalone structure implies product value or a special offer. Studies show that floor displays, specifically, can significantly boost sales volume by increasing brand awareness in high-traffic zones.

The Economics of Visual Impact and Impulse Buying
The correlation between display stands and increased sales is rooted in visibility and psychology. In a standard retail aisle, a consumer scans products rapidly. A freestanding floor display breaks this pattern. It forces the consumer to stop and look. This is critical for new product launches where brand awareness is low. By using a custom cardboard display9, you control the entire visual field, unlike on a shelf where you are squeezed between competitors. This exclusivity creates a perceived value; shoppers often assume products on displays are special, new, or on sale.
From a cost perspective, cardboard displays are a high-ROI investment10. The production cost of a corrugated unit is significantly lower than permanent metal fixtures, allowing for short-term, aggressive marketing campaigns. For example, you can roll out a seasonal campaign for Halloween or Christmas with dedicated displays and then recycle them, keeping the sales floor fresh. However, the sales increase is only guaranteed if the manufacturing quality is high. A faded or damaged display suggests a low-quality product. We often see that inconsistent colors or poor structural integrity can actually hurt sales. If the "red" on your header card does not match the "red" on your box, it looks unprofessional. Additionally, the rise of "flat-pack" designs aids profitability. By reducing the shipping volume of the displays themselves, you lower your landed cost, leaving more margin for profit when the sales increase occurs.
| Factor | Impact on Sales | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | High | Interrupts traffic flow, triggers impulse buys |
| Graphic Quality11 | High | Builds trust and attracts visual attention |
| Stock Capacity | Medium | Reduces out-of-stock instances |
| Seasonality | High | Creates urgency (limited time offers) |
| Cost Efficiency12 | High (Profit) | Lowers marketing spend per unit sold |
I have seen many great products fail simply because the print quality on the display was poor. To ensure your sales increase, we use advanced color management tools to match your brand colors perfectly. We handle the entire process from prototyping to printing, ensuring the final tool you use to drive sales looks exactly as vibrant as the design you approved.
What is the best height to showcase a product?
Are customers walking right past your merchandise without noticing it? The physical placement of your product relative to the shopper’s eye line is critical for conversion.
The best height to showcase a product is generally between eye level and waist level, often referred to as the "strike zone." For an average adult, this is roughly 4 feet to 5.5 feet off the ground. Products placed here receive the most visual attention and engagement.

Ergonomics and Retail Compliance Standards
Determining the optimal height for a display is a mix of human ergonomics and strict retail compliance13. The "eye-level is buy-level14" rule is the gold standard. For adults, this zone is typically between 48 and 60 inches from the floor. Products placed here sell faster because they require the least amount of physical effort to view and pick up. However, if your product targets children—like toys or games—the optimal height drops significantly to about 30 to 40 inches. You must tailor the structural design of your cardboard display to the specific target demographic.
Beyond ergonomics, you must consider retailer restrictions. Major US retailers like Costco, Walmart, and Target have specific "line of sight" rules. They often restrict floor displays to a maximum height (usually around 55 to 60 inches) to prevent them from blocking security cameras or making the store feel cluttered. A display that is too tall might be rejected by the retailer’s compliance team, causing a massive logistical headache. Furthermore, height introduces stability risks. A tall, narrow cardboard display is prone to tipping over if bumped by a shopping cart. This is a safety hazard. To combat this, we often engineer the base to be wider or add internal weights for taller units. The material strength (such as using BC flute instead of B flute) becomes critical as the display gets taller to prevent it from leaning or bowing over time.
| Height Zone | Approx. Measurement | Value Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stretch Level | Above 6 ft | Low | Signage / Headers only |
| Eye Level15 | 4 ft – 5.5 ft | Highest (Gold) | Premium / New Products |
| Touch Level16 | 3 ft – 4 ft | High | Kids’ items / Grab-and-go |
| Stoop Level | Below 3 ft | Low | Large / Heavy bulk items |
We navigate these height requirements daily. My team is familiar with the compliance standards of major US retailers. When we design your structure, we ensure the product sits in the "strike zone" while keeping the overall dimensions stable and compliant. We provide free prototypes so you can physically test the height and stability before we start mass production.
Conclusion
Tiered cardboard displays offer a powerful, cost-effective way to boost visibility and sales. By understanding display types and optimal placement, you can dominate the retail floor.
Exploring this link will provide insights into the importance of POP displays in retail strategies and consumer behavior. ↩
Understanding pallet displays can enhance your knowledge of effective retail merchandising and inventory management. ↩
Explore how Floor Stands can enhance product visibility and drive sales in retail environments. ↩
Learn about the strategic advantages of End Caps for maximizing promotional impact and customer engagement. ↩
Explore how high-quality printing enhances brand storytelling and consumer trust in retail environments. ↩
Learn about the importance of sustainability in marketing and how displays can promote eco-friendly practices. ↩
Explore this link to discover proven strategies that can enhance your brand’s presence and attract more customers. ↩
Learn about innovative practices that can help your business reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainability. ↩
Explore this link to understand how custom cardboard displays can enhance visibility and boost sales in retail environments. ↩
Discover insights on how cardboard displays can maximize returns on investment and support effective marketing strategies. ↩
Understanding graphic quality can enhance your marketing strategies and improve customer engagement. ↩
Exploring cost efficiency can help you optimize your marketing budget and increase profitability. ↩
Exploring retail compliance standards is essential for ensuring your displays meet retailer requirements and avoid costly rejections. ↩
Understanding this rule can significantly enhance your product placement strategy, leading to increased sales. ↩
Understanding Eye Level can enhance product visibility and sales, making it crucial for effective merchandising. ↩
Exploring Touch Level can reveal how product placement influences customer interaction and impulse buys. ↩
