Choosing the right displays is no longer an aesthetic decision it is a strategic one.
By 2026, the point of sale has become the space where much of commercial performance is defined. Shoppers arrive with prior information, but they make their final decision in-store based on what they see, understand, and can access within seconds.
That is why displays play a decisive role: they transform presence into preference and visibility into sales.
This practical guide is designed to answer a critical question for any brand:
How do you choose the ideal display based on product type, channel, and commercial objective?
Below, we outline the most effective display formats in retail and when to use them to maximize results.
Displays directly impact essential variables:
Leading brands understand that displays are not accessories they are execution assets. Documented cases from AIM Worldwide show how metal, modular, and interactive displays become real extensions of commercial strategy, especially for high-rotation consumer brands (AIM Worldwide, 2024).
The key question is not “Which display looks better?”, but rather:
Once these objectives are clear, selecting the right display format becomes significantly easier.
Horizontal displays place products along the shelf, showcasing variety within the same category.
Show portfolio breadth and facilitate comparison.
Recommended strategy:
Place key products at eye level and lower-margin products on lower shelves.
Vertical displays organize identical products in columns from top to bottom, following the natural eye movement.
Maximize visibility and visual repetition.
Key recommendation:
Place top-selling products between 1.10 m and 1.70 m—the shopper’s decision zone.
Block displays group products from the same brand or category across two or more shelves.
Build brand dominance through visual mass.
This format improves rapid identification, particularly in stores with high SKU density.
Also known as secondary placement, this strategy places products outside their usual location to generate additional purchases.
Trigger unplanned purchases through convenience.
Endcaps are large-format displays located at the end of aisles.
Immediate visual impact and volume.
Endcaps are among the most valuable spaces in modern retail due to their natural exposure to shopper traffic.
Floor displays—often made of cardboard—are placed in aisles or strategic locations for temporary activations.
Create rapid presence without relying on shelf space.
AIM Worldwide has developed multiple floor display solutions for launches requiring speed and strong branding (AIM Worldwide, 2024).
Mini pallets simulate bulk sales, while checkout displays encourage last-minute purchases.
Leverage the final decision point before payment.
These include custom furniture, islands, technology, screens, and robotic solutions such as Tokinomo.
Transform the display into an experience.
This is the future of the point of sale: displays that interact, communicate, and create memorability.
Choosing displays correctly requires understanding product, channel, and human behavior. Display strategy is not just distribution it is applied retail psychology.
The most effective displays are those that:
In a market where decisions are made in seconds, the ideal display is not the largest or most expensive—it is the one that best converts presence into choice.
Because in retail, what is strategically displayed sells better.
Know more about pop displays.
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