Point‑of‑Sale Display Examples?

I see shoppers miss great products at the shelf. I feel that pain. I design displays that stop them fast, explain fast, and move them to buy now.

A point-of-sale display is a branded unit placed near checkout or high-traffic spots to spark quick decisions, usually made from cost-effective cardboard, sized to fit the space, and printed for the current promotion.

I keep this guide simple and useful. I answer common questions first. I then go deeper with tables and short checklists you can copy. I add real factory lessons from my work in Shenzhen so you avoid delays and waste.

What is an example of a point of sales display?

Shoppers pause for seconds, not minutes. They need a clear offer. A simple cardboard unit with the right message can win that moment and lift sales without heavy cost.

A classic example is a cardboard countertop display by the register holding travel-size items or new SKUs; another is a free-standing floor display on an aisle endcap that stacks product, carries a big header, and drives impulse buys.

How the best examples work

I build examples around three variables: location, product weight, and dwell time. Countertops handle light goods and fast reads. Floor displays handle volume and bold visuals. Pallet displays fit club stores and speed set-up. Digital-ready headers add QR codes for trials or sign-ups. In my factory, we prototype in days because digital printing¹ allows short runs and fast changes. This keeps seasonal promotions² on schedule and reduces obsolete stock.

Formats at a glance

Why cardboard examples win

Cardboard is flexible, fast, and recyclable⁵. It costs less than plastic or metal, which helps budgets and short promotions. It ships flat and assembles with simple locks, so teams deploy fast⁶ across many stores.

What is the point of sale display?

Many teams mix terms and lose focus. I keep one rule: it must help the shopper decide now. If it does not do that, it is only decor.

A point of sale display is a temporary or semi-permanent unit placed at or near checkout to trigger impulse purchases, highlight promos, and improve basket size with clear, quick messages and easy reach.

Purpose, not just placement

I measure POS displays by conversion lift⁷, not likes. The copy must be short. The price must be visible. The SKU count must be small. In trials, fewer than five facings at checkout work best because shoppers have seconds. I design tear-away coupons or QR codes when I want data, but I avoid clutter. For durability, I use E-flute or B-flute with reinforced trays. Water-based inks meet retailer safety rules and keep recycling easy in Europe and North America.

Checklist and quick spec

Timeline reality

Digital printing¹⁰ cuts lead time¹¹. I move from art to sample in 48–72 hours, then to production in days. This speed saves seasonal promos that slip.

What is an example of a point of sale?

People often mean the transaction point, not the display. I bridge both so teams align hardware, software, and messaging at the same spot.

A point of sale example is the supermarket cash wrap with card terminal and scanner; a POS display there might be a small tray of batteries or gum with a bold price card facing the queue.

POS system + display working together

The POS system takes payment. The display drives the add-on. I map the queue path, then place a low-friction offer¹² within arm’s reach. In pharmacies this is seasonal wellness. In hardware stores this is accessories. At events I use mobile POS¹³ with a collapsible mini-stand. For durability in travel retail, I add nano-coating for moisture resistance while keeping recyclability in mind.

Common scenes and fits

Store team wins

I design tool-less locks¹⁶ and pre-packed trays. Teams cut setup down to minutes. This reduces labor cost¹⁷ and damage risk during peak hours.

What is a typical point of sale display?

Buyers ask for “standard.” I say “typical” means proven. I point to the few patterns that keep working across regions and seasons.

A typical POS display is a small, pre-packed cardboard countertop unit with three tiers, one header, one call-to-action, and fewer than five SKUs, optimized for quick setup and fast impulse buys.

Core pattern and reasons

I choose this pattern because it respects the till space and shopper pace. The unit ships flat, pops up without tools, and holds enough stock for a day. The header says the offer. The side panels carry brand colors. A QR code¹⁸ supports sampling or a warranty, but it stays small. When weight grows, I move to a slim floor unit with reinforced shelves. For club stores, I convert to a quarter-pallet¹⁹ to align with forklift rules and faster floor moves.

Typical spec table

Results I expect

This pattern delivers clean brand blocking²², quick restock, and solid uplift at low cost. It also supports recycling rules in strict markets²³.

What is the difference between a POS and a pop?

Teams use both and get confused in briefs. I set shared language early to save time and rework.

POS (point of sale) is the checkout area and systems; a POS display lives near payment. POP (point of purchase) is any in-store buying location, so POP displays include aisle, endcap, floor, and pallet units beyond the register.

Clear terms, better briefs

I treat POS as the final step. I treat POP as the whole store where purchase choices happen. Many brands say POS for all displays. That slows vendors. I align on goals: basket add-on at POS²⁴, discovery and trade-up in POP zones. Club stores prefer pallet POP for speed²⁵. Beauty chains prefer POP gondola ends for storytelling. Compliance differs: some chains restrict POS height and copy, while POP zones allow more structure and screens.

Side-by-side view

Why it matters to cost and timing

POS units²⁸ are smaller and cheaper. POP programs²⁹ move volume and need more testing. I budget extra time for transit tests, especially for heavier goods and moist or high-traffic areas.

What is a point of purchase example?

I like to show a real case. The lesson is simple: clear brief, fast sample, strict testing, and on-time roll-out win the season.

A point of purchase example is a free-standing corrugated floor display for an outdoor brand at an endcap, with a bold header, reinforced shelves, QR for warranty, and pre-packed trays for rapid store setup.

Real-world POP plan

I run a B2B display factory with three lines in Shenzhen. A North American hunting brand came with a tight launch window. We aligned on a floor unit for aisle endcaps in U.S. and Canada. We chose B-flute with internal ribs³⁰ to carry weight. We validated loads and transport with drop, vibration, and tilt tests. Digital printing gave fast color control and easy design tweaks until the team signed off. We met strict color targets by running press profiles and drawdowns. We used water-based inks³¹ for retailer compliance and easier recycling. We shipped flat, with clear assembly guides. Store teams set it up in under an hour.

POP spec snapshot

Market and trend context you can use

Cardboard displays³⁴ keep winning because they cost less, print faster, and support recycling rules. Floor displays often lead share in POP because they hit sight lines and volume. Demand grows in North America with mature retail. Asia-Pacific grows fastest as urban retail expands. Europe pushes eco standards harder. Digital print enables short runs and personalization. New options like nano-coatings improve moisture resistance. Simple IoT tags can track stock. Tariffs can change input costs, so I plan buffer options. I offer modular designs to extend lifecycles across seasons and reduce waste.

Conclusion

POS is the checkout add-on engine. POP is the full-store conversion toolkit. Use clear goals, simple copy, strong structure, and fast testing to win launches.