It’s easy for products to blend into the sea of competition on crowded store shelves, but a designated display draws in shoppers’ attention. Floor, counter, and pallet displays are all effective options for helping products stand out in retail environments, but it can be difficult for brands to decide which format is best for their application.

Paige Packaging, since 1955, has been driving sales and brand recognition for businesses across different industries with our corrugated solutions. We have the technology and expertise needed to design durable retail displays that catch the eye of shoppers. In this guide, we share our practical insights to help brands choose a display format that aligns with their product and business goals.

For more information about our corrugated displays, design services, and more, contact our team today.

Benefits of Corrugated Retail Displays

Understanding the value of corrugated displays can make it easier to compare the formats and choose the right option. Some of the most valuable benefits of counter, pallet, and floor displays include:

  • Increased product visibility: Dedicated displays help products maintain a stronger visual presence by separating them from congested shelves and placing them directly in shoppers’ view.
  • Stronger brand presence: Corrugated displays can be customized with colors, shapes, and graphics that reflect and reinforce brand identity.
  • Drives impulse purchases: Strategically placing displays in high-traffic areas like near an entrance, checkout, or endcap prompts shoppers to make spontaneous purchases.
  • Flexibility: Corrugated displays can be designed in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit the specific needs of each brand and product.
  • Supply chain efficiency: Because they ship flat and are lightweight, corrugated displays can help brands lower freight expenses and make better use of storage space.

Pallet, Counter, and Floor Displays: How to Choose the Best Format

Choosing between pallet, counter, and floor displays requires a clear understanding of the product, the retail setting, and the intended shopper experience.

Amount of Retail Space

Is your display going to be featured in a spacious big box retail environment? Or are you aiming to sell in a small, local mom and pop location? The store footprint you have for your corrugated display should be a major factor in which format you select.

Counter displays are often well-suited for tight spaces since they’re placed on existing structures like customer service desks and checkout counters. Floor displays require an area of open floor space, making them the preferred format for endcaps and other promotional areas. Pallet displays call for an even larger footprint, so they work best in supercenters and warehouse clubs where there is enough space for bulk product presentations.

Product Type

The product itself is another important part of the format equation. Small, lightweight items such as lip balm, trial-size products, and candy are often a strong fit for counter displays. Floor displays are better suited for larger items or multiple SKUs, such as snack assortments, pet supplies, personal care products, and seasonal promotions. Pallet displays are built for bulk and high-volume goods like beverage cases, paper products, household cleaners, and club-size packaged foods.

Customer Interaction

Think about the buyer’s journey with your brand’s product. Is it a grab-and-go item that shoppers often purchase at the last minute? A counter display is likely the ideal format. Does your product have multiple flavors or color variations that might lead to slower purchasing decisions? Go with a floor display. Are your target customers already planning on making a bulk purchase for your type of product? A pallet display can meet your needs.

Shipping and Assembly

The flute profile, board grade, and structural design of a corrugated display greatly influence how it performs once it’s loaded with product and handled across the supply chain. These details also help determine which format is best suited for the application.

Counter displays should be lightweight and easy to assemble for quick placement at checkout areas, while floor displays are often designed to present larger products or multiple SKUs in an organized, shoppable layout. Pallet displays require the strength to hold bulk quantities and withstand movement during transit and retail setup.

Retailer Requirements

Along with the store’s footprint, it’s also important to factor in retailer requirements when choosing a corrugated display format. Most major retailers have rules and regulations around the dimensions, signage, placement zone, and shipment of in-store displays. Overlooking these guidelines can quickly get a display rejected. Confirm these requirements with your retailer before finalizing the display format.

Format Is Only Part of the Equation: The Value of Partnering with Packaging Pros

Choosing the right corrugated packaging supplier is just as critical as choosing between counter, pallet, and floor displays. Even the same display format can look and perform very differently depending on the care and expertise behind its production. An experienced corrugated manufacturer like Paige Packaging knows how to create displays that are strong enough for shipping and product load while still drawing shoppers’ attention. They can also guide decisions on:

  • Choosing the appropriate board grade and flute profile
  • Graphics and branding
  • Product fit
  • Designing for efficient die-cutting and production
  • Balancing durability, appearance, and cost

Let Paige Packaging Help You Create the Perfect Retail Display

Counter, pallet, and floor displays each offer unique merchandising advantages, so it can be challenging for brands to choose which format best suits their campaign. The decision should factor in the size of the intended space, product type, customer interaction, supply chain logistics, and retailer guidelines. Considering all these elements together often leads to the most successful results.

At Paige Packaging, we collaborated closely with our clients to design custom corrugated displays tailored to each product and business. Contact us today and partner with a corrugated supplier dedicated to your retail success. We provide the products and services needed to support an integrated packaging process from start to finish.