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Point-of-purchase (POP) displays can influence consumer behavior, improve brand visibility and boost sales. A well-positioned display can entice customers to purchase on impulse by presenting the right product at the right moment. By understanding what creates an engaging shopping experience, you can help consumers find what they need while also driving revenue.
How Display Placements Affect Consumer Behavior
When walking into a store, shoppers rarely think about why they pick up one item over another, but much of this decision-making process can be influenced by product displays. Research shows that around 73% of purchase decisions are made in the store, with some shoppers making impulse buys based on attractive displays. This statistic highlights that your display strategy isn’t merely about aesthetics — it directly affects sales.
Certain display placements work because they trigger specific psychological responses. For instance, products placed at eye level are likely to capture attention faster than those placed higher or lower, as shoppers tend to scan at eye level first.
Careful consideration of product placement is especially essential in club stores — like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s — with large, open spaces where customers look for value in bulk purchases. The large format and volume of products necessitate display strategies that catch the consumer’s attention and create an urge to buy. In such cases, eye-catching displays positioned near entry points can increase sales compared to products on standard shelving.
6 Effective Retail Display Strategies
Product displays enhance retail stores’ aesthetics. However, the main reason retailers use these items is to guide customers toward the products they want to highlight and ultimately boost sales. Retail stores often leverage the following strategies to encourage purchases and increase revenue:
1. Front-Of-Store Display
The storefront is the perfect opportunity to grab customers’ attention immediately. Seasonal items or new arrivals placed on temporary displays are perfect for this area since they immediately set the tone for the shopping experience. The latest tech gadgets in an electronics store, for instance, can create excitement and entice customers to explore more.
2. Cross-Merchandising Display
Combining products that naturally go together makes it easier for consumers to pick up everything they need in one go. Think about how grocery stores place barbecue sauces near the meat section, or how a hardware store might position paint rollers and brushes alongside paint cans.
Dump bins or floor displays work especially well here because they provide flexibility for showcasing different products while simplifying the customer’s shopping process. For instance, retail stores could use dump bins to hold various grilling tools next to charcoal or meats, while a home goods store can use floor displays to pair kitchen gadgets with recipe books. The beauty of these freestanding units is that they can be placed anywhere in a store and moved around as needed.
3. Eye-Level Display
As mentioned, consumers tend to look at and gravitate toward items directly in their line of sight, making it a prime spot for promoting best-sellers. This space grabs attention quickly and effortlessly, increasing the chance of converting a casual browser into a buyer. Using gravity feed displays at this height can further amplify the effect. These displays automatically bring products forward as each item is removed, ensuring shelves always look full.
For example, a display stocked with energy bars at eye level helps keep these items front and center, even during busy shopping times when consumers are grabbing products frequently. Shoppers can simply pick up an item and the next one is immediately ready, keeping the flow of products seamless and organized.
4. End-Aisle Display
End-aisle displays, or end caps, are effective at catching shoppers’ attention in high-traffic areas with bulk products customers might not have thought to buy. Grocery stores often place large bags of chips or special holiday snacks here. By placing pallet displays at end caps, customers will naturally pass by and be encouraged to stop and shop.
5. Outside-The-Entrance Display
Displays outside a retail store’s entrance can capture passersby’s attention and entice them to enter for a sneak peek of what the store offers. Retailers can use this opportunity to highlight promotions and encourage customers to spend on a whim. They can place pallets of quick-grab items or use floor displays to hold magazines, small tools or snacks.
Beverage companies can also benefit by using large, well-branded displays with drinks that match the current season or weather. On a hot day, placing chilled bottles of iced tea, lemonade, soda, sports drinks or water can increase foot traffic and sales.
6. Checkout Display
Checkout displays are prime locations for last-minute impulse buys. Customers often linger here while waiting to pay, and their eyes are naturally drawn to small, easy-to-grab items. This is why you often see snacks, gum and travel-sized toiletries near registers in grocery stores. For this reason, using counter displays at the register allows stores to make the most of small space, showcasing a range of products customers can quickly add to their carts without a second thought.
Merchandising Techniques That Affect Consumer Behavior
Beyond strategic placement, the display design elements can grab a customer’s attention and drive sales. You can leverage the following design elements to influence purchasing behaviors:
- Color: Color increases brand recognition and can evoke certain emotions. Bright, bold colors naturally draw the eye and are ideal for products intended to stand out in crowded retail spaces. Beverage displays that use vibrant blues or reds can create a sense of excitement and refreshment, making customers more likely to grab a drink.
- Signage: Some shoppers might be pressed for time and not have the patience to analyze every product they pass by. That’s where clear and concise signage comes into play. Good signage communicates key information, such as details about the product or any special promotions, quickly. Making use of custom-made signage ensures retailers’ displays are easy to read, even from a distance.
- Packaging: Think of packaging as your product’s silent salesman. It should immediately convey what the product is, its benefits and why the shopper needs it. When your product sits on a well-designed display and is positioned in the right location, it’s easier to compel consumers to buy it.
Contact Creative Displays Now for Custom Displays
If you’re looking to increase your product sales in retail settings, custom-made displays can make all the difference. At Creative Displays Now, we offer various display solutions to help you attract and engage customers. Our custom-made products are made with recyclable corrugated cardboard, helping reduce your carbon footprint.
We also have a dedicated team of designers to fulfill your signage and packaging needs while communicating your message effectively. Contact us today to get an estimate for tailor-made solutions.
