In high-traffic retail zones, your displays face consta […]
In high-traffic retail zones, your displays face constant touch, abrasion, oils, cosmetics, and daily sanitation. Choosing the wrong surface material leads to scratches, fingerprints, discoloration, and fast deterioration — all of which damage shopper trust. The right high-traffic retail materials ensure surfaces stay clean, durable, and premium-looking, even under heavy use.
At Samtop Display, we test and engineer materials specifically for the realities of daily interactions in beauty, skincare, fashion, and high-touch retail spaces.
Best Materials for High-Traffic Retail Areas
The best high-traffic retail materials should be:
Scratch-resistant (rings, tools, testers)
Mattified (≤30 GU) to hide smudges
Anti-fingerprint + oil-repellent
Easy to clean daily without damage
Resistant to cosmetics, alcohol wipes, heat, humidity
Stable under frequent shopper interaction
These qualities extend fixture lifespan and maintain premium visual consistency.
Where Are the Highest-Contact Zones in Retail?
Zone
Contact Type
Makeup tester tables
Swatching, powder transfer, brush drag
Skincare counters
Oils, droppers, spatulas, bottles
Checkout/cash wrap
Cards, coins, elbows, POS wear
Digital screens
Fingerprints, tapping, smudges
Accessory tables
Kids’ touch, product drops, friction
These zones require friction-ready, smudge-resistant materials.
🧱 Best High-Traffic Retail Materials (2025 List)
1. Matte PET Film (AF Anti-Fingerprint Coated)
Why it works:
Repels oil
Low reflectivity
Easy to clean
Cost-effective
Where to use: tester tops, drawer faces, fragrance counters.
2. Thermofoil-Coated MDF (Matte or Soft-Touch)
Why it works:
Scratch-resistant
Seamless wrapped edges
Velvety tactile quality
Where to use: structure wraps, counter edges, mid-panels.
3. Textured Powder-Coated Metal
Why it works:
Extremely durable
Fingerprint-minimal
Great edge protection
Where to use: frames, base structures, corner protectors.
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After: AF-coated matte PET + thermofoil-wrapped MDF → Cleaning time ↓40% → Visually consistent under store lighting → Improved customer confidence
This is now our standard recommendation for high-touch beauty zones.
💬 FAQ: High-Traffic Retail Materials
Q: What gloss level hides smudges best? → ≤10 GU (super matte) or <20 GU (true matte)
Q: Can soft-touch finishes survive cleaning? → Yes — if sealed with oil-resistant topcoat.
Q: Best color for anti-fingerprint behavior? → Taupe, mushroom, warm greys. → Avoid pure black (oil) and pure white (dust).
Q: What cleaners should stores use? → pH-neutral or alcohol-free wipes. Avoid bleach, acetone, or glass cleaners.
🎯 Conclusion: The Right Materials Define Long-Term Retail Quality
✔️ Choose matte, anti-smudge, scratch-resistant materials ✔️ Avoid glossy or unsealed surfaces in high-contact areas ✔️ Use coatings, laminates, and nano-tech to extend lifespan ✔️ Select mid-tones to hide fingerprints and maintain premium aesthetics
At Samtop Display, we design fixture surfaces engineered for real retail behavior—not just showroom conditions.
📩 Want to specify scratch-proof, smudge-free materials for your next fixture?
Hi, I’m Bob, the funder of SamTop.com, Our company makes visual merchandising props, retail display stands and window display decoration for many years now, and the purpose of this article is to share with you the knowledge related to retail displays from a Chinese supplier’s perspective.
