What is a Point of Purchase Display? Types, Examples, and How to Choose

Last updated: July 2026. Written by the team at Eddie's Hang-Up Display, supplying Canadian retailers with displays and fixtures since 1978.

A point of purchase display (also called a POP display) is any promotional or merchandising structure placed where customers make buying decisions, such as store aisles, counters, and checkout areas. It draws attention to specific products and drives impulse purchases. Common types include floor stands, countertop displays, spinners, dump bins, and shelf-edge signage.

POP displays earn their space. POPAI's Mass Merchant Shopper Engagement Study found nearly 1 in 6 brand purchases happen only because a display is present, and the related Shop! Compliance Initiative Study measured a 32% product sales increase from retail displays in the mass merchant channel. With 76% of purchase decisions made in-store, the display often is the sales pitch.

In this guide, we cover the main types of POP displays, where each works best, and how to choose hardware for your store.

What is the difference between POP and POS displays?

A point of purchase (POP) display sits anywhere a buying decision happens: aisles, feature areas, walls, and counters. A point of sale (POS) display sits at the checkout specifically. Every POS display is a POP display, but not the reverse. Retailers use the terms loosely; the hardware overlaps almost completely.

What are the main types of POP displays?

Floor display: literature spinner

Promotion: wire dump bin

Signage: acrylic sign holders

Where are POP displays used?

Anywhere customers decide. A few examples of how different businesses put them to work:

• Convenience and grocery stores: clip strips beside related products and dump bins at aisle ends
• Restaurants and cafés: countertop sign holders for specials and combos where customers order
• Clothing boutiques: accessory spinners and countertop forms at the cash desk
• Markets and pop-up shops: lightweight floor displays and risers that pack down and travel
• Chain stores: standardized display programs rolled out across locations, often custom built

We stock display packages by store type on our shop by industry pages, and our custom solutions team handles multi-location programs.

How do you choose POP display hardware?

Work through four questions:

1. What decision are you influencing? A new product needs a floor display with signage. An add-on purchase needs a counter spinner or clip strip near related items.
2. How much space can you give it? Floor displays need clear sightlines. If floor space is tight, go vertical with spinners or shelf-edge strips.
3. How long will it run? For seasonal promotions, lightweight and movable wins. For permanent programs, invest in durable fixtures that match your store.
4. What is the product's weight and size? Check weight capacity on hooks and shelves before loading. Heavy product on light fixtures fails fast.

If you are unsure, our order desk has outfitted Canadian stores for over 47 years and will talk through your layout: 1-877-433-3437.

What makes a POP display effective?

• One message per display. A display promoting five things promotes nothing.
• Put it in the path. Displays work at natural stopping points: entrances, aisle ends, the queue.
• Keep it stocked. A half-empty display reads as leftovers.
• Refresh it. Change displays every 4 to 6 weeks so regular customers keep noticing them.
• Price it clearly. A display without a visible price adds a question instead of removing one.

POP displays work best in a store that already flows well. Our visual merchandising guide covers layout, focal points, and fixtures from the ground up.

Frequently asked questions

What is a point of purchase display?

A point of purchase display is a promotional or merchandising structure placed where customers make buying decisions, such as aisles, counters, and checkouts. It draws attention to specific products and encourages impulse purchases. Types include floor stands, countertop displays, spinners, dump bins, and shelf-edge strips.

Do POP displays increase sales?

Yes. POPAI research found nearly 1 in 6 brand purchases happen only because a display is present, and Shop! measured a 32% product sales increase from displays in the mass merchant channel.

What is an example of a point of purchase display?

A countertop spinner of keychains beside a gift shop cash register is a classic POP display. Other examples: a dump bin of sale items at an aisle end, a floor stand of seasonal product near the entrance, and a clip strip of batteries next to electronics.

What is the difference between POP and POS?

POP (point of purchase) covers any location where a buying decision happens. POS (point of sale) means the checkout specifically. A POS display is one kind of POP display.

How much floor space does a POP display need?

Countertop displays and clip strips need none. Floor displays typically need a footprint of about 30 to 60 cm square plus room for customers to stop without blocking the aisle.