There is no single “best” retail display.
The best option depends on where your product will be sold, how much product needs to be displayed, how long the program will run, what the retailer requires and how the finished display will move through the supply chain.
For brands preparing for a new retail opportunity, choosing the right display early in the process can reduce cost, streamline execution and improve sell-through.
So, how do you know which retail display is the right display for your product? For best results…
Start With the Retail Environment
Before choosing a display format, consider the retailer.
A warehouse club pallet display has very different requirements than a countertop display in a specialty store. A permanent fixture in a hardware store requires a different strategy than a temporary or seasonal floor display.
Consider:
- Where will the display be placed?
- How much retail space is available?
- How many products need to be displayed?
- How long will the display remain in the store?
- How will customers shop the product?
- What are the retailer’s packaging and display requirements?
- How will the finished display be shipped and handled?
TPH Global Solutions® begins its display and packaging process with a thorough understanding of the product, retailer and program requirements, including competitive evaluation, in-store audits and retail trend research.
Which Retail Display Type Is Right for You?
Different display styles each serve a different purpose.
Floor Displays
Best for: Product launches, promotions, seasonal programs and products that need a dedicated retail footprint.
Floor displays range from temporary corrugated structures to semi-permanent and permanent fixtures using materials such as corrugated, plastic, wood or metal.
They are a strong option when a brand needs to create a larger product presentation outside traditional shelf options.
Pallet Displays
Best for: Warehouse clubs, high-volume programs and retail environments where the display also needs to support transportation and bulk merchandising.
Pallet displays can be especially effective when a large quantity of product needs to move into the store in a ready-to-merchandise configuration.
Because the display and pallet become part of the same logistics equation, structural integrity, product loading, footprint, height, shipping and retailer requirements should all be considered during design.
Countertop & PDQ Displays
Best for: Smaller products, impulse purchases and locations where floor space is limited.
Countertop and PDQ displays provide additional product visibility without requiring a large footprint. They can be designed for shelves, counters or other high-traffic areas.
On-Shelf Displays
Best for: Increasing product visibility within an existing shelf.
On-shelf solutions can include shelf-mounted structures, product glorifiers and other merchandising elements that help a product stand out without requiring a dedicated floor display.
Permanent Retail Displays
Best for: Long-term merchandising programs and products that justify a dedicated retail fixture.
Permanent displays can incorporate wood, metal, wire, plastic, lighting, electronics, graphics and other materials.
Because they are intended for longer-term use, their durability, engineering, installation requirements and product update plans are important considerations.
Temporary vs. Permanent: How Long Will the Display Be Used?
Display lifespan should be one of the first decisions made.
Temporary Displays
Temporary displays are designed for short campaigns, product launches, promotions and seasonal programs.
Corrugated materials provide an economical and highly customizable solution for temporary displays.
Semi-Permanent Displays
Semi-permanent displays provide a middle ground when a campaign needs more durability but doesn’t require a long-term fixture.
Permanent Displays
Permanent displays are built for extended use and require more engineering, durable materials and consideration of future product and graphic updates.
The most durable display isn’t always the best choice. The degree of durability required depends on the program.
Don’t Choose the Display Without Considering the Packaging
One of the biggest mistakes brands make is treating the display and packaging as separate projects.
Your product has to fit inside its packaging, but the packaging has to fit the display, which needs to arrive retail-ready and undamaged by the rigors of transportation.
That means packaging dimensions, product configuration, display capacity, shipping and merchandising should be considered together.
At TPH Global Solutions®, we develop retail packaging and POP displays in combination, as part of a complete and well-aligned retail solution.
Consider the Supply Chain Before You Choose the Structure
A display can be beautifully designed and still be a poor choice if it is too expensive or difficult to ship.
Before finalizing the design, consider:
- How will the display be manufactured?
- Will it ship assembled or knocked down?
- How much product will each display hold?
- How many displays fit on a pallet?
- Will products be pre-packed?
- Where will finished inventory be stored?
- How will displays reach the retailer?
- Does the display need to support co-packing or fulfillment?
These decisions can influence the best display format just as much as appearance or merchandising.
For example, a pre-packed display may make more sense for a high-volume retail launch than a structure that requires extensive in-store assembly.
TPH’s retailer pitch and sales support ensures that display type, product layout, load plans, packaging, fulfillment and preliminary cost structure are established before a program moves forward.
The Right Display Is About More Than Appearance
A good retail display attracts attention.
A great retail display attracts attention and…
- fits the retailer
- fits the product
- fits the shopper experience
- fits the budget
- fits the supply chain
- meets the required durability
- can be produced at the required volume
How TPH Helps Brands Create Great Retail Displays
Not sure whether your product needs a pallet display, floor display, PDQ, on-shelf solution or permanent fixture?
That’s where experience matters.
TPH evaluates the product, retailer, merchandising environment, volume and supply chain requirements to determine the right display approach.
From concept and engineering through packaging, manufacturing, co-packing, fulfillment and logistics, TPH can help connect the individual pieces into one retail-ready program.
The goal isn’t simply to build a display. It’s to build the right display for the way your product needs to sell.
Ready to Find the Right Retail Display for Your Product?
Whether you’re preparing for a warehouse club launch, big-box retail opportunity, grocery program or long-term merchandising initiative, TPH can help you evaluate the display, packaging and supply chain requirements before you commit to production.
Let’s build the right retail solution from the start.
