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In the retail world, the checkout counter is the most valuable real estate brands use to sell more products. It’s the final “moment of truth” before a customer completes their journey. Hence, if you aren’t using counter display boxes, you are leaving money on the table.
But how do you design a display packaging that doesn’t just sit there, but actually convinces people to reach out and grab a product?
This guide will walk you through the art of designing custom counter display boxes that actually sell.
What are Custom Counter Display Boxes?
Counter display boxes are specialized, branding-focused, and sturdy packaging units placed on store counters, checkout lines, or high-traffic areas. Made from materials like cardboard, kraft, corrugated, or rigid stock, they are customizable in size, shape, and branding (logos, colors) to attract customer attention.
Why Do We Use Custom Counter Display Boxes?
Have you ever wondered why you suddenly need a pack of gum or a new lip balm while waiting in line? That’s the psychology behind impulse buys. It’s actually rooted in “decision fatigue.”
By the time a shopper reaches the counter, they have made dozens of choices. A well-designed, low-cost product displayed on a bright box feels like a small, easy reward. It requires zero mental effort to say “yes” to a $5 product when the main shopping is already done.
But do display boxes attract customers?
Well, yes, they do! Custom display boxes effectively attract customers by grabbing attention, enhancing product visibility, and triggering impulse purchases. They act as “mini billboards” that highlight products on countertops or shelves.
So, why do we use custom counter display boxes?
The main goal of a counter display is to maximize the “basket value” of every customer. Here’s why brands choose counter display boxes.
- Increase Impulse Sales: Placed at checkout, these displays encourage last-minute, spur-of-the-moment buying decisions.
- Enhance Brand Visibility: Custom printing, bright colors, and logos make products stand out, enhancing brand recognition and professionalism.
- Optimal Space Utilization: They are designed to fit in small, high-value retail spaces and make effective use of countertops.
- Flexibility & Protection: Made from sturdy materials, they offer durable protection for products while remaining lightweight.
- Improve Product Presentation: They offer a clean, organized, and attractive way to showcase products, making them easy for customers to see and interact with.
Overall, a counter display box can highlight small products that might get lost on larger shelves. It helps you place them right at the customer’s fingertips during the peak of their shopping mindset. In brief, this box plays a part in the importance of packaging in marketing a product.
10 Tips to Design Counter Display Packaging That Drives Sales
To create counter display packaging that drives sales, you need to master both aesthetics and technical specifications. Sounds difficult? Have a look at the 10 tips below!
Choose the Right Products
Not every product belongs on the counter. Choose the right products for counter displays by focusing on “grab-and-go” products. They should be small, affordable, and visually appealing. Think of products that solve a quick problem or offer instant gratification, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or chocolates.
In addition, you need to measure your product’s dimensions to ensure a perfect box. Surely, you don’t want to place wide, large products in a short display box.
Organize for Easy Grabbing
If your display looks messy, customers won’t touch it. Consider arranging multiple products using tiers or dividers. Remember, you want the box to look full, but not crowded. If it’s too hard to pull a product out, the customer will move on.
Keep Your Brand Front and Center
Branding builds trust and makes your brand recognizable even after customers leave the store. So, make sure you keep branding in mind by using your brand colors, fonts, and logo.
Use Clear and Compelling Signage
Your display has about two seconds to explain your products. Don’t forget to use clear and compelling signage with bold headlines like “Last Chance!” or “Limited Sales.” Ensure the font is large and the message is simple.
Choose the “Wow” Factor: Colors & Premium Finishes
Having display packaging with vibrant, sharp printing is essential here.
Yet, although you’re assured that your design is perfect, there’s a chance the images look fine on the screen but are entirely different on the packaging. This is why knowing DPI is essential.
Wait, what Is DPI in Packaging? DPI stands for “Dots Per Inch.” Speaking of display packaging, opt for 300 DPI as it’s generally the limit of the average human eye. Anything lower will look blurry and unprofessional.
In addition to colors, features and finishes like spot UV, foil stamping, or matte/gloss lamination are also essential. These small details create the “wow” factor that makes a simple display box feel like a premium one.
Create Opportunities for Customer Interaction
People are more likely to buy a product they can touch. Encourage your customers to pick your product using an open-front design or a perforated display box. If they can feel your product’s weight or smell its scent, the sale is halfway done.
Think About Timing
Timing is everything. Apply this when designing your graphics. A display featuring bright neons works for summer, while deep reds and golds are perfect for the holidays. Swapping your displays seasonally keeps the checkout area looking fresh.
Consider Assembly and Shipping Options
A beautiful display box is useless if it arrives crushed. That’s why you should consider assembly and shipping options like easy-to-assemble flat tuck display boxes, for example. This ensures retail staff can set them up correctly without frustration.
Create Smart Cross-Merchandising Pairings
Place related products together. Selling sunglasses? Put a display of lens cleaning cloths right next to them. This reminds customers of a need they didn’t know they had.
Manage the Counter Space
Retail counters are crowded. Make sure you make the most of counter space by designing the display box vertically rather than horizontally. An example? Opt for a dispenser box. It features a “tower” structure with pop-up lids that let your products be displayed vertically, saving counter space and encouraging impulse purchases.
Done right, a strategic display box can make your products easily accessible.
Pro-Tips for a Flawless Counter Display Box
Before even designing a custom counter display box, you need to handle the technical side to avoid costly mistakes.
- Choose sturdy materials: For retail, corrugated with flutes is durable and cost-effective, while rigid stock like chipboard adds a luxurious feel.
- The Blueprint: Make design easy with a dieline. What’s dieline in packaging? The dieline is the flat 2D template that shows where to cut and fold. Getting your blueprint right ensures your display box will look perfect.
- Leverage color psychology: Use bold, bright colors to attract attention, or subtle colors (black or white) to convey luxury.
- Position at eye level: Place your counter display box at most visible places, ideally at eye level or in high-traffic areas.
- Add a theme: Use seasonal, festive decorations to keep the display relevant.
- Stand out: If you’re feeling stuck, look for unique box design ideas, such as hexagonal shapes, POP-up displays, or gravity-feed dispensers, to give your brand an edge.
Summing Up
No doubt, custom counter display boxes help you highlight small products that might get lost on larger shelves. Many brands choose them to increase impulse sales, enhance brand visibility, optimize space utilization, flexibility & protection, and improve product presentation.
So, where can you get customized counter display boxes? Get the best quality ones from Dream Custom Boxes!
FAQs
What are custom counter display boxes?
Counter display boxes are specialized, branding-focused, and sturdy packaging units placed on store counters, checkout lines, or high-traffic areas.
Why do brands use counter display boxes?
Brands choose counter display boxes because they increase impulse sales, enhance brand visibility, optimize space utilization, offer flexibility & protection, and improve product presentation.
How to choose the right products for counter display boxes?
Choose the “grab-and-go” products that are small, affordable, and visually appealing.
How to arrange products in a counter display box?
Consider arranging your products using tiers or dividers. You want the box to look full, but not crowded.
