POP Display vs. POS Display: What’s the Difference?

POP display vs POS display is one of the most common questions in retail marketing — and understanding the difference is essential for designing effective visual merchandising. While many people confuse the two, POP and POS displays serve different shopper mindsets, placements, and conversion goals. Using the wrong one can reduce attention, weaken storytelling, or lower sales.

This guide gives you the clear, SEO-optimized breakdown of POP vs POS displays, how they work, when to use each one, and how brands combine them for higher in-store performance.

POP Display vs POS Display

POP displays (Point of Purchase)
→ Used anywhere in the store to build awareness, educate shoppers, and showcase new or premium products.

POS displays (Point of Sale)
→ Positioned at the checkout to drive quick, impulse purchases and upsells.

Key difference:
POP = exploration stage
POS = purchase stage

1. What Is a POP Display?

A POP display is a visual merchandising unit placed anywhere in the store except the checkout area. Its goal is to grab attention, educate shoppers, and support product exploration.

POP Display Purpose:
✔ Build desire
✔ Highlight value
✔ Support storytelling
✔ Encourage browsing

Typical POP formats:

• Floor standees

• Branded glorifiers

• Endcap units

• Category risers

• Window props

• Tester stations

POP = long engagement time (5–20 seconds).
Great for premium products.

🧠 2. What Is a POS Display?

A POS display sits at the checkout — where fast decisions and impulse buys happen.

POS Display Purpose:
✔ Trigger impulse purchases
✔ Reinforce a decision
✔ Upsell low-cost, high-velocity items
✔ Deliver quick messaging

Typical POS formats:

• Counter trays

• Clip strips

• Small PET or plastic trays

• Shelf-edge displays

• Grab-and-go testers

POS = short engagement time (1–5 seconds).
Great for small, low-cost items.

🧱 3. POP Display vs POS Display: Placement & Shopper Mindset

POP = discovery
POS = action

🎨 4. Design Differences: POP Display vs POS Display

POP = premium materials
POS = lightweight + high turnover

🛍️ 5. Best Use Cases by Product Category

Luxury brands often use both → POP for branding and POS for conversion.

🧩 Case Study: FENDI Seasonal Launch (POP and POS Combined)

Objective: Launch new fragrance variants in duty-free retail.

POP Strategy

• Brushed metal + acrylic floor display

• Soft LED to highlight hero SKU

• Positioned at store entry

POS Strategy

• Recyclable PET tester trays

• QR codes linking to scent story

• Positioned beside cashier

Results

✔ +28% tester conversion at POS
✔ Unified premium brand presence
✔ Fast setup across SG, JP, UAE

🎯 6. POP or POS? Use This Quick Decision Table

Best practice:
🚀 Use POP to educate → POS to convert.

💬 FAQ: POP Display vs POS Display

Q: Are POP and POS displays the same?
No. POP = anywhere in store. POS = checkout only.

Q: Which brings faster ROI?
POS — especially for low-cost items.
POP — better for premium, slower decision products.

Q: Can one display serve both roles?
Usually not. Placement + shopper mindset differ.

📌 Conclusion: Use POP for Awareness, POS for Conversion

✔ POP displays capture attention early
✔ POS displays drive impulse decisions at checkout
✔ Using both increases brand visibility and sales
✔ Choosing correctly prevents shopper confusion
✔ POP + POS = a complete in-store retail strategy

At Samtop, we design POP & POS display systems that scale across global retail environments — from luxury boutiques to department stores.

📩 Talk to our team about POP vs. POS strategies

• Retail POP Display Design Insights
• Consumer Behavior in Store