Promo Stands and Floor Displays for the Sales Floor: Designs, Materials, Print Runs
According to POPAI research, about 76% of purchase decisions are made right in the store. Promo stands and floor displays are among the most effective tools for influencing that choice. In this article we cover the structures, materials, standard sizes and run sizes, so you can choose the right format for a specific task.
What a promo stand is and how it differs from a display
The two terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference. A promo stand is a freestanding structure with advertising graphics, installed on the sales floor away from the standard shelving. A floor display is a broader concept: it can be cardboard, acrylic or metal, single- or multi-tier, branded for a specific promotion or universal.
Both formats fall into the category of types of POS materials for retail and serve the same purpose: to make a product stand out from the general display and steer the shopper toward an impulse or planned purchase.
Key functions of floor displays on the sales floor:
- creating extra display space beyond the main shelf
- highlighting a promo price or seasonal offer
- branding the zone, for FMCG brands launching a new product
- navigation: pointing to a sale area or a themed category
Types of structures: from a cardboard pallet display to a metal stand
Four main types of structures cover 95% of retail marketing requests. Each has its own niche in terms of run size, lifespan and budget.
Corrugated cardboard displays
The most common format in FMCG. They are made from three-layer or five-layer corrugated cardboard, with offset or digital printing. They assemble in 5 minutes without tools, which matters for merchandisers who put them together right at the point of sale. Minimum order: from 500 pcs, service life: 1-6 months depending on load and storage conditions.
Used for seasonal promotions, new product launches and themed displays. Large FMCG chains in Tashkent order runs of 2,000-10,000 pcs for each promo flight.
PVC and acrylic displays
Suitable for repeated use. Service life: 1-3 years. They look neater than cardboard and are easier to refresh: you only need to replace the insert with the price or offer, while the body stays. Minimum order: from 10 pcs, which makes the format affordable even for small brands or pharmacy chains.
Read more about choosing between materials in the article POS materials in cardboard, PVC and acrylic: comparison by task, print run and budget.
Metal structures
Used by large retail chains as base sales-floor equipment. Service life: 5-10 years. Can be ordered from 1 pc. Branding is done with interchangeable panels or printing on the powder coating. More expensive up front, but with long-term use more cost-effective than cardboard equivalents per cycle.
Combined structures
A metal or PVC frame with cardboard inserts. A practical compromise: the load-bearing structure lasts for years, while the advertising graphics change with each season. Popular in chain retail in Uzbekistan: one frame is purchased for the whole chain, and the inserts are printed for each specific supplier.
Standard sizes of floor displays
Promo stand dimensions are determined by the height of the sales floor, the aisle width and the type of product. Below are three formats that cover most tasks.
| Format | Width, mm | Height, mm | Depth, mm | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact | 350–400 | 1200–1400 | 250–300 | Narrow aisles, pharmacies, checkout area |
| Standard | 400–500 | 1400–1600 | 300–350 | Supermarkets, FMCG, household chemicals |
| Extended | 500–600 | 1600–1800 | 350–400 | Hypermarkets, electronics, clothing |
A height of 1400-1600 mm is the most versatile: the display is visible from the aisle, does not block the view of the sales floor and does not need the chain's approval for structure height.
Material comparison: run size, service life, application
The choice of material determines the budget, the logistics and how often the structure will need to be replaced.
| Material | Min. run | Service life | Lead time | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrugated board | from 500 pcs | 1-6 months | 3-7 days | Seasonal promotions, FMCG, new product launches |
| PVC | from 10 pcs | 1-3 years | 5-14 days | Pharmacies, cosmetics, reusable promotions |
| Acrylic | from 10 pcs | 1-3 years | 5-14 days | Premium brands, jewelry, electronics |
| Metal (steel/aluminum) | from 1 pc | 5-10 years | 10-30 days | Base chain equipment, long-term projects |
Promo stands for different product categories
The display format depends not only on the budget but also on the product category: its weight, package size and display conditions.
FMCG: beverages, snacks, household chemicals
The main format is a cardboard pallet display or a floor stand with shelves. For beverages, load capacity matters: a standard 1.5 L plastic bottle weighs 1.5 kg, and a display may hold 40-80 units. Five-layer corrugated cardboard grade T-24 withstands up to 120 kg of static load, which is enough for most tasks.
Pharmacies and pharmaceuticals
PVC and acrylic are preferred here: they are easy to disinfect and do not warp from humidity. Stand width is 350-400 mm, to fit into the narrow aisles between shelving units. Runs are usually small, 10-50 pcs per chain.
Electronics and gadgets
Acrylic or metal. The product is expensive, and the display should underline its value, so cheap cardboard is out of place here. The structures are usually fitted with locks and anti-theft elements.
Clothing and accessories
Metal stands with crossbars or hooks. Standard height: 1600-1800 mm, section width: 600-900 mm. Branding is done with a topper and side panels.
What to pay attention to when ordering
Three points that are most often overlooked when placing an order.
Load capacity. A cardboard display is designed for a certain weight, so check this with the manufacturer. An overloaded structure will collapse on the sales floor, which creates problems for both the brand and the chain.
On-site assembly. If merchandisers assemble the display right in the store, the structure must go together without tools and in a reasonable time, no more than 10-15 minutes. Ask for an assembly diagram and instructions.
Approval by the chain. Large retail chains in Uzbekistan have regulations for POS materials on the sales floor: permitted dimensions, installation zones, branding rules. Check the requirements with the category manager before developing the artwork, otherwise the whole run may be scrapped.
Format comparison by task: a quick selection matrix
| Your task | Recommended format | Material | Run size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal promotion, 4-8 weeks | Pallet cardboard display | 5-layer corrugated cardboard | 500-5,000 pcs |
| Permanent brand point of sale | Floor stand with shelves | PVC / metal | 10-200 pcs |
| Launching a new product in 20-50 stores | Standard floor display | 3-layer corrugated cardboard | 50-200 pcs |
| Long-term chain branding | Metal stand | Steel / aluminum | from 1 pc |
| Pharmacy / beauty zone | Compact floor display | PVC / acrylic | 10-50 pcs |
Frequently asked questions about promo stands for stores
What is the minimum order quantity for cardboard displays?
From 500 pcs, which is the standard threshold for offset printing on corrugated cardboard. For runs of 50-100 pcs, digital printing makes economic sense, but the unit cost will be higher.
How many days does it take to make a metal stand?
Metal structures take 10-30 working days, depending on complexity and run size. Cardboard displays are made in 3-7 days, and PVC and acrylic in 5-14 days.
Does a display need to be approved by the retail chain?
Yes. Large chains require approval of dimensions, installation zones and branding. Send the artwork to the category manager before production starts: it will save both the run and time.
Which display format suits a pharmacy?
A compact PVC or acrylic display 350-400 mm wide and 1200-1400 mm tall. The material is easy to disinfect and does not warp from humidity, and the minimum order is from 10 pcs.
Will a cardboard display withstand the load of water bottles?
Five-layer corrugated cardboard grade T-24 holds up to 120 kg of static load. That is enough for a standard display of water or beverages. Check the load capacity when ordering.
Can I order a promo stand to match a ready brand book?
Yes. Just provide files in AI or PDF format with 3-5 mm bleeds. If there is no brand book, the design is developed to an agreed brief and is included in the order price.
For displaying impulse-purchase products in the checkout zone, a separate format is used: checkout stands and countertop displays.
Order promo stands in Tashkent
Aeste manufactures promo stands and floor displays for sales floors in Tashkent: cardboard, PVC, acrylic, metal, from sketch to turnkey run. We work with retail chains, FMCG brands and advertising agencies across Uzbekistan.
Send a brief or ask a question, and we will reply within one business day and calculate the cost for your run size and format.
For advertising directly on the sidewalk at the entrance to a store, you can also use A-frame signs for entrance areas.
A cheaper alternative that is quicker to produce for a promotion: cardboard product displays (show boxes, floor and pallet displays).
We will make it to fit your task: making POS/POSM materials in Tashkent with a cost and lead-time estimate.
