What are Retail Store Displays – The Master Guide

1. What are retail displays, and why are they so important?

Before we look at the different types of display and their advantages and disadvantages, it is important to understand what retail displays are and why they are essential for any store, regardless of industry. Firstly, a retail display is any physical marketing or in-store fixture created to appeal to and engage customers, and to display or advertise merchandise. Think of them as a showcase for your products.

The definition itself is testament to the importance of store displays. However, research indicates that sales are likely to increase by up to 478% when products are displayed in specially curated in-store exhibits!

We can infer from the above study that product display stands are an effective means of attracting customers and should be used in stores to boost sales through marketing and promotion. Display styles are numerous and diverse, so it is important to understand them all to know which would be most appropriate for you.

2. Cool and innovative retail display designs

Now that you know what a retail display is, we can move on to the numerous choices available to you. You can use them for shelving, tabletops, windows or the floor, and there are many options — Winpack printing has a variety of custom cardboard displays!

However, the article will now consider some of the most popular choices in retail shops.

Point of Purchase (POP) units/floor displays

POP displays are any standalone in-store displays that attract consumer attention. They are not attached to store installations, and provide an opportunity to market and merchandise along the aisles and corridors of your store, where most buying decisions are made.

This is a typical three-tier tray floor display with a vertical structure that is ideal for displaying a variety of products.

The multi-tier shelf floor display raises and emphasises the products it stocks. It displays a range of products on multiple levels of vertical shelves.

Retail stores should have a floor display with peg hooks on which to hang or display products.

The Cells/Pocket Floor Display is used to display smaller products in a grid-like structure.

A tray floor display has tiered trays that can be used to display goods such as clothing and footwear.

Dump bins are an effective way to utilise floor space. It offers customers fast access to a variety of products with minimal effort.

Counter and tabletop displays

The Tuck Top Snap Lock Bottom Display Box is an affordable way to raise brand awareness and increase sales.

The Corrugated Shelf Counter Display is a multi-level countertop display ideal for displaying various products on multiple shelves in the checkout area.

3. Which display is the most appropriate for which retail store?

With so many different retail displays and styles, it can be hard to choose the one that best fits your business. While one could argue that any form of display works in any industry, this does not help you to reduce the options.

To help you decide, we will consider some common retail store industries and recommend displays that we believe would suit them.

Grocery/supermarket

Supermarkets and grocery stores offer food and drink items. Their selection usually comprises fresh and packaged foods, beer and wine, pet food and other household necessities. Common grocery store displays include dump bins, retail shelves, aisle units, and gondola displays.

Convenience Stores

Convenience stores are small grocery shops that provide a quick shopping experience and a variety of basic food and drink items, as well as everyday necessities. As they are smaller and used for quick stops, effective retail displays could feature countertop solutions for impulse purchases or shelf stoppers to display promotions.

Speciality stores

These shops stock a wide range of brands, styles and models within a small category, including local boutiques and major stores. Examples include furniture stores, clothing stores, book stores, and electronic stores. As this type can offer a broad variety of merchandise, the most effective displays will depend on your specialty store.

For example, garment racks are most efficient in clothing stores, but not in other types of specialty store. Conversely, display cases are usually used in jewellery stores due to the value of the products, but not in clothing stores.

Nevertheless, there are two alternatives that can be used in a wide range of speciality stores: window displays and immersive displays. The most effective way to attract potential customers and encourage them to purchase your products is to design eye-catching window and immersive displays to showcase your merchandise.

4. Here's how to transform a good store display into a great one

As mentioned above, there are numerous choices and options to consider when deciding on the display style for your merchandise. Each style may be more or less effective depending on the merchandise you are selling, your customers and how creative you want to be, but the most important thing about store displays is how you utilise them.

We have listed some tips and pointers for your merchandise displays below.

Use creative signage. Wall art and other distinctive signage can easily draw your shoppers' attention and encourage them to interact with you on social media by posting and sharing pictures.

Choose a good location. The placement of items is one of the most significant aspects of a successful retail display and should be carefully considered. Place new products and bestsellers in high-traffic areas, and impulse buy or add-on products near the checkout counter.

Show pricing. Displaying the price informs customers whether the product is within their budget. If they cannot locate the price, they may assume that the product is too expensive and pass it over, leading to a loss of sales.

Change it regularly. Rotating the retail product display periodically makes your store look new and fresh each time customers visit, and allows them to discover new products.

Maintain your displays. Like the design and frequent changes of in-store displays, maintenance is also necessary. They should be well-maintained, spaced, and arranged so that customers can access these products easily.

5. Advantages and disadvantages of using custom store displays

Given our in-depth knowledge of all the possibilities and factors to consider when designing the ideal store display, it is important to discuss the pros and cons of incorporating retail displays in your store.

Firstly, we will look at the benefits of in-store displays for your business. When done in an innovative and proper way, retail displays can be of many advantages to your business. When executed correctly, retail displays form part of the marketing and merchandising strategy.

As mentioned earlier, proper design and layout can significantly increase sales and make the difference between gaining or losing a customer to the competition. Retail displays must appeal to customers instinctively, create a favourable brand image and convey promotions and sales, as well as providing good value for money. Good displays are expensive, but the investment can be recouped many times over!

However, the constant need to update and renew in-store displays requires more time for planning layouts and more money to support the movement of merchandise, changes of season, promotions and sales, as well as the staff needed to manage these changes. However, if you stay up to date with these challenges, your business will be able to reap the full benefits!

6. Present your best with store displays

In-store displays are a very important aspect of a business's visual marketing and merchandising strategy. Now you know how these displays draw customers and the choices available to you, we hope we have given you enough information to feel ready to take the next step.

If you are ready to take the next step or require further information on custom display stands, please contact us or request a quote. Our Winpack Printing experts are ready and willing to assist you!