The Psychology of the Checkout Line: Designing Countertop Displays that Drive Impulse Buys

When it comes to retail merchandising strategy, impulse buys are a large slice of the pie. Across industries, this type of purchase saw a huge surge in the early 2020s and remains a mainstay of retail locations. Impulse buys are tied to customer psychology and changing habits, and it’s crucial for your countertop POP displays to tap into these behaviors.

At Sunbelt Displays, we create countertop POP displays for companies across sectors, from health and beauty to food, automotive, home and improvement industries. We also partner with channels of all sizes and types, including convenience stores, grocery stores, and specialty stores. Our professionals offer gorgeous results, innovative solutions, and fast turnarounds, fabricating and printing point of purchase displays for all purposes.

Today, we’ll explore how to leverage common impulse behaviors through high-impact POP displays.

Impulse Buy Behaviors to Tap Into

Impulse buying is common no matter the retail environment, from apparel to electronics and everything in between. While younger generations make up the highest concentration of impulse buyers, all age groups find it difficult to resist.

With that in mind, here are three behaviors that foster impulse purchases:

• On-sale items are irresistible – For customers across demographics, on-sale products are always a draw as impulse buys. In fact, 70% of shoppers will pick up an item if it’s discounted or has an associated promotion, while over half of impulse buyers only purchase discounted items. Sales are a top driver for these purchases.

• Some customers will always go for trendy products – For some customers, FOMO is a reigning concern when it comes to impulse shopping. They’re drawn to products that are trendy, especially if they’ve seen it on social media. Unsurprisingly, social-driven buying is especially common for Millennial and Gen Z shoppers.

• Holidays and special events drive up impulsiveness – Holiday shopping and big promotional events can draw large crowds. They’re also a prime time for impulse buying. The majority of impulse purchases during the holiday season are made by consumers under 60.

Display Designs to Drive Impulse Buys

How do you make the most of impulsive behaviors? To start, you’ll want to consider strategic placement of your displays. Some products will always make a better impulse purchase than others, so consider this as well.

But another important consideration is your visual strategy for retail merchandising displays. Here are three examples that can help:

• Eye-catching acrylic displays for on-trend products – When you’re showcasing products with enormous social media appeal, you want to capitalize on their appeal. Acrylic displays can offer sleek visibility, with unique shapes that draw the eye of younger customers. With Sunbelt Displays, you’ll have endless options for customizing these visuals.

• Dump bins for bargains and promotions – For cost-conscious shoppers, the dump bin is an immediate magnet. Consider using these displays for small or lightweight products that are on-sale or come with a 2-for-1 promotion. They’re an excellent choice for any items that are best bought in bulk.

• Countertop POP displays for holiday items – When customers are lining up at checkout, it’s a great time to tap into their impulses. During the holiday season, use custom POP displays to highlight seasonal products, especially those for younger audiences. Parents are extra likely to grab items designed for children, while Gen Z and Millennial shoppers will often snag products for their own use!

Explore Countertop POP Displays Today

Enhance the impact of your countertop POP displays with a team of design experts you trust. To get started, contact Sunbelt Displays today.