In the modern retail and e-commerce landscape, presentation matters just as much as the product itself. Cardboard displays, also known as corrugated displays or point-of-purchase (POP) displays, have become one of the most versatile and effective tools for brands to showcase products, capture customer attention, and drive sales.
From supermarkets and convenience stores to trade shows and online unboxing experiences, cardboard displays are everywhere. They combine practicality with cost-effectiveness while providing endless opportunities for customization and branding.
This comprehensive guide explores every dimension of cardboard displays: their definitions, classifications, applications, and strategic advantages. Whether you are a retailer, a consumer brand, or a packaging buyer, understanding the full potential of cardboard displays can transform your marketing and operational strategy.
A cardboard display is a promotional and functional structure made primarily from corrugated cardboard, designed to hold, showcase, and promote products in retail or marketing environments.
Unlike simple product packaging, cardboard displays serve as both a container and a marketing medium. They are strategically placed in high-traffic areas to attract consumer attention, increase brand visibility, and boost impulse purchases.
Cardboard displays are lightweight, eco-friendly, and cost-efficient compared to plastic or metal display alternatives. They can be flat-packed for easy shipping and storage, yet quickly assembled on-site.
Cardboard displays come in many forms, each serving specific purposes in retail. Below is a deep dive into the main categories:
Floor displays are freestanding units that can hold a large number of products. They are commonly placed in high-traffic areas of supermarkets, malls, and retail outlets.
Features: High visibility, large capacity, customizable branding space.
Best for: Seasonal promotions, bulk product displays, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).
Example: A Holidaypac-designed floor display for snack foods with colorful branding and strong corrugated structure.
Countertop displays are small, compact units placed on checkout counters or reception desks.
Features: Compact size, perfect for impulse purchases.
Best for: Cosmetics, small electronics, candy, and promotional items.
Example: A cardboard countertop display featuring lipstick collections for beauty stores.
Pallet displays are large-scale cardboard displays designed to fit directly onto pallets, often used in warehouse-style retail stores like Costco, Walmart, or Sam’s Club.
Features: Industrial strength, easy to transport with forklifts, bulk display solution.
Best for: Beverage packs, household goods, and large-volume products.
Example: A Holidaypac-designed pallet display holding cases of bottled drinks, optimized for bulk retail.
Dump bins are open-top cardboard displays, often filled with loose or bulk items.
Features: Easy accessibility, casual presentation style.
Best for: Toys, discount items, promotional giveaways, or fast-selling products.
Example: A dump bin full of plush toys near a supermarket entrance.
Endcap displays are positioned at the end of retail aisles, maximizing visibility as customers navigate store pathways.
Features: High traffic, strategic positioning.
Best for: Promotional campaigns, new product launches, seasonal offers.
Example: An endcap display showcasing a limited-edition snack flavor.
Cardboard displays are not just packaging solutions—they are strategic marketing tools that adapt to different industries and retail environments. Their flexibility allows them to serve unique purposes depending on the product type and shopping scenario.
In supermarkets, cardboard displays are frequently used to boost impulse purchases and highlight seasonal products.
Scenario Example: A floor display for holiday-themed snacks, strategically placed near checkout lanes.
Benefits: Increases visibility in high-traffic areas, encourages unplanned purchases, and highlights limited-time offers.
For convenience stores with limited floor space, countertop displays and small endcaps are ideal.
Scenario Example: A compact countertop display for chewing gum or energy drinks at the cashier.
Benefits: Leverages impulse buying behaviors in quick-stop shopping environments.
Cardboard displays are also used in consumer electronics retail to showcase accessories like headphones, phone cases, and chargers.
Scenario Example: Endcap display with organized compartments for smartphone accessories.
Benefits: Clear organization, brand storytelling through printed graphics, and promotion of add-on sales.
The beauty industry thrives on visual appeal, and cardboard displays allow brands to attract consumers through vibrant, eye-catching presentations.
Scenario Example: Countertop display featuring new lipstick shades or skincare trial kits.
Benefits: Enhances brand prestige, provides sample opportunities, and stimulates quick purchases.
Cardboard displays are increasingly popular at trade shows because they are lightweight, portable, and fully customizable.
Scenario Example: A branded floor display showcasing eco-friendly packaging solutions at an international packaging expo.
Benefits: Cost-effective alternative to traditional booths, fast assembly, and strong visual impact.
Cardboard displays are not limited to brick-and-mortar retail. Many e-commerce brands include small display inserts inside packages to enhance the unboxing experience.
Scenario Example: A mini display stand holding multiple product samples inside a subscription box.
Benefits: Creates a premium unboxing experience, improves product presentation, and increases customer loyalty.
To better understand the value of cardboard displays, here are examples of how they are applied across industries:
Case Study: Holidaypac developed a pallet display for bottled juice brands sold in wholesale clubs. The display combined durability with attractive branding, boosting sales during promotional campaigns.
Result: 30% increase in product visibility and stronger retailer partnerships.
Case Study: A cardboard dump bin was designed for vitamin supplements, placed near pharmacy entrances.
Result: Increased trial purchases for newly launched health products.
Case Study: Countertop displays for a skincare brand’s new product launch included mirror accents and premium printing finishes.
Result: Enhanced customer engagement, stronger brand perception, and faster adoption of new product lines.
Case Study: Holidaypac created modular endcap displays for gaming accessories.
Result: Simplified product navigation for customers while increasing add-on purchases.
Cardboard displays are not one-size-fits-all. The type of product and retail environment determines the most suitable display design.
FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods): Snacks, beverages, and packaged foods.
Beauty & Cosmetics: Lipsticks, skincare samples, and small accessories.
Small Electronics: Earphones, chargers, batteries, phone accessories.
Toys & Games: Plush toys, board games, seasonal items.
Pharmaceuticals: Vitamins, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, wellness kits.
Product Launches: To capture attention during initial rollout.
Seasonal Promotions: Holiday-themed campaigns, special editions, or clearance sales.
In-Store Visibility Campaigns: When competing for consumer attention in crowded retail spaces.
Trade Shows: Lightweight and customizable solutions for temporary exhibitions.
Brand Differentiation: Unique shapes and graphics separate products from competitors.
Impulse Buying Stimulation: Strategic placement triggers unplanned purchases.
Cross-Selling Opportunities: Displays can promote complementary products together.
Data-Driven Marketing: Retailers can measure customer engagement and sales impact by display placement and design.
Sustainability Appeal: Eco-conscious displays align with consumer values, strengthening brand loyalty
Cardboard displays offer unique benefits that make them indispensable in modern retail:
Compared to plastic or metal displays, cardboard is inexpensive to produce and transport. Its lightweight nature reduces shipping costs, making it ideal for seasonal or promotional campaigns.
Cardboard can be cut, folded, and printed into virtually any shape, size, or design. Brands can adapt displays to product dimensions, retail layouts, or marketing themes.
Flat-packed displays can be shipped efficiently and assembled quickly in-store, often without tools. Modular designs allow for scalable deployment across multiple locations.
High-quality printing and surface finishes (UV, foil stamping, lamination) turn displays into brand ambassadors, attracting attention and reinforcing messaging at the point of purchase.
Cardboard is recyclable and often made from recycled materials. Using FSC-certified paper and mono-material construction enhances environmental credibility, meeting both retailer and consumer expectations.
With growing environmental awareness, sustainable retail solutions have become a key purchasing factor:
Recycled Paper & Corrugated Board: Reduces demand for virgin fiber, lowering carbon footprint.
FSC Certification: Ensures responsible forest sourcing.
Mono-Material Design: Facilitates recycling and simplifies waste management.
Avoid heavy laminates or mixed materials that hinder recycling.
Use water-based inks, UV coatings compatible with recycling, or biodegradable films.
Returnable Displays: Some cardboard displays can be folded and reused across multiple campaigns.
Compostable or Easily Recyclable: Minimizes landfill waste and supports eco-conscious branding.
Research shows that sustainable packaging positively influences consumer purchase decisions, particularly among environmentally conscious demographics in Europe and North America.
Engineering a cardboard display requires balancing aesthetics, durability, and functionality:
Use ECT/BCT ratings to match display strength with product weight.
Add reinforcement ribs or double/triple wall corrugated layers for heavy items.
Enables quick in-store setup.
Reduces shipping volume.
Facilitates multi-store deployment.
High-impact graphics attract attention from a distance.
Clear labeling and product placement guides consumer behavior.
Consider color psychology, font readability, and call-to-action placement.
Include easy-access product openings.
Ensure stability on uneven floors.
Factor in shipping constraints: folding, stacking, and protective packaging.
QR codes for product info or promotions.
NFC tags for interactive engagement.
Integration with AR experiences for immersive storytelling.
Embedded sensors track customer interaction.
Data-driven insights allow brands to optimize placement and inventory.
Augmented reality (AR) or digital screens enhance engagement.
Multi-sensory experiences (textures, pop-ups, lighting) increase brand recall.
Biodegradable coatings, water-based inks, and post-consumer recycled fibers will become standard.
Emphasis on full recyclability and closed-loop design.
Advances in digital printing allow small-batch, personalized displays.
Brands can tailor messaging per region, store type, or season without high setup costs.
Displays act as a bridge between physical and digital experiences.
Coordinated campaigns with social media, e-commerce, and in-store promotions create unified brand messaging.
Holidaypac offers end-to-end cardboard display solutions—from design and prototyping to production and logistics. Explore our custom displays today and elevate your brand’s in-store presence: Contact Holidaypac
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