POP vs. POS Displays, what’s the difference?

POP and POS displays may sound similar but they are not the same. Even retailers get confused while comparing the terms POP and POS displays. Here, in this article, we will clarify all the distractions about the difference between POP displays and POS displays.

Firstly, let’s start with the very basics.

What is POP display?

POP stands for Point of Purchase. POP displays are displays that take place exactly where a customer is deciding to purchase products or goods. In other words, POP displays can be found in the product placement zone. For example, at the entrance, the middle point of a store, or maybe at the end of an aisle.

What is POS display?

POS elaborates Point of Sale. POS displays are specialized designs that are located where the actual transaction is happening. They are usually placed near the checkout counter or cash register. This is where the magic happens, purchases turn into sales.

After the definitions, now you know what actually POP and POS displays are. But, not much clear about the difference, right? As we have promised, we will clear all your confusions on POP vs. POS. So, let’s discuss it a bit deeper.

What is the role of POP and POS displays in a store?

POP displays occupy more space to hold almost all kinds of products. They offer a wider window for your customers to look at and choose the thing they want. On the other hand, POS displays are basically held single-packaged products. POS displays are very good at drawing the customer’s attention. And force them to make impulse purchases.

What is an example of POP and POS displays?

Shelf talkers, free-standing displays, end caps, cardboards, End aisle displays, etc… are some good examples of POP displays. Likewise, dump bins, Free Standing Display Units (FSDU), POS Wobblers, etc… are POS displays.

Advantages:

To know more about POP and POS displays. Let’s take a look at the advantages…

POP Displays

• Offers open look to the customers. A customer can easily recognize the product at a glance and decide whether he/she is looking for that or not.
• Can stand or hold larger products or any types of products with good quantity.
• Helpful to increase brand awareness. Can be useful to promote your new and updated products, advertise on-sale products. Also, provide accurate product details.
• Gives more flexibility to place your products on strategic points and attract customers.
• Provides valuable information related to the product features, available offers, and discounts.
• Allows easy browsing and encourage customers to make more purchases and increase the size of their cart.
• Cost-effective marketing idea. Allows you to advertise your brand at a low cost without running an ad campaign.

POS Displays

• Create excitement in the customer’s mind and forced them to make impulse purchases.
• Helps to promote special and seasonal products.
• Increase sales of overstocked items, loose and single packaged products.
• Easy to use. Easy to carry and move from one place to another.
• No need for extra staff to describe the products to the customers.
• Obviously not expensive but good looking.

Above all, we have discussed almost everything to describe what POP and POS displays are. As well as the advantages of both displays. Now, let’s jump to the comparison, for what you are here now.

POP vs. POS. What’s the difference?

Point of Purchase (POP) displays and Point of Sale (POS) displays may have some similar criteria but Yes they are different. Let us tell you how. Consider these 8 points:

Function

Point of Purchase refers to something like where customer visits and making purchasing decisions. Basically, customers choose what they want and go for checkout after the selection. The checkout area, where the actual transaction happens, is known as Point of Sale. So, displays that are placed on point of purchase area are POP displays. In the same vein, displays that are located near the sales point are POS displays.

Location

POP displays are usually placed at the main points of a store like the entry point, center, end of an aisle, etc… On the other hand, POS displays are used to set near the cash counter. Because this is where the customers stand and do the transaction.

Size

Most of the time, POP displays takes more space than POS. They are generally bigger comparing to POS displays. As a result, POP displays can hold way more products than POS.

Durability

No one wants to buy displays, again and again, at least the POP ones. This is why POP displays are almost permanent in a store. Made of strong materials. So, they last long on the journey.

POS displays are basically semi-permanent displays or maybe temporary sometimes.

Interaction with Products

POP displays allow customers to grab and analyze the product. Customers have much time to interact with the products. But there is no such opportunity for POS displays.

Design

POS displays are used to bear lightweight and low costly items. This is why they are made from thin and less costly material. But, they have elegant looks, which is enough to make a short and sweet call to action. The opposite side is true for POP displays.

Product Type

In the POP display, you may found the same category products. Sometimes the same brand products only in one display. But, in POS you can see product variations sometimes.

Cost

Both are cost-effective. But when it comes to comparing the price, POP displays are costly than POS displays. POP displays are permanent, also bigger and heavier, so they cost a bit more. Though POS displays are less expensive but you may need to buy several times comparing to POP.

In conclusion, we can say that the location and function are the main points that separate POP and POS displays. In advertising a product or sale, POP displays do a fine job. While POS displays are excellent at motivating buyers to make unplanned purchases.

Are you looking forward to buying some displays? But didn’t find the precious design that you want yet, then just contact us. We are able to make and deliver any kind of custom displays that will defiantly meet your needs.