Many people don’t know this, but the average person makes at least two impulse purchases per week.

That’s just how we’re wired to be consumers. So when you’re running a business and want to encourage that impulse buying, getting your products on shelves is key!

Running out of stock can make customers think they missed their chance or get discouraged by an empty shelf.

Point-of-purchase displays are one-way retailers can help drive impulse sales in brick-and-mortar stores.

The great thing about point-of-purchase displays is that there are several options available for every budget, so you can find something that fits your store perfectly.

This article will show you some examples of point-of-purchase display options and explain how they work. Keep reading to learn more!

What Is Impulse Buying?

Impulse buying is when you go out to buy something for a specific purpose and end with an unplanned purchase.

For instance, if someone goes out to get bread and milk, they might leave the store with some snacks and laundry detergent that wasn’t on their list.

Purchasing a product simply because it’s conveniently available to you when you’re already in the store is considered an impulse purchase.

How Point-of-Purchase Displays Drive Impulse Sales

Point-of-purchase displays are used to encourage impulse purchases because they’re placed at the actual point of purchase.

They’re usually placed near the items they’re trying to promote, so customers can easily see them and decide if they want to make an impulsive purchase.

Point-of-purchase displays come in many shapes and forms, but all of them are designed with a single goal in mind: to promote impulse buying.

How to Encourage Impulse Buying!

As a business owner, there are many things you can do to encourage impulse buying, and getting point-of-purchase displays is essential for enhancing the shopping experience. Here are a few simple tips to get you started:

Use bright colors

Point-of-purchase displays that feature vibrant color will catch your customer’s attention and make them want to stop and check out what else is available.

Use patterns or novelty products

The reason why people love window shopping is that it’s fun! People can’t help but be drawn to displays that feature interesting patterns, novelty products, and other eye-catching objects.

Offer a variety

If you want your customers to stop in the aisle and check out what’s available, it’s important to offer a wide variety of point-of-purchase displays. Doing so will make shopping more exciting and allow them to find exactly what they’re looking for.

Use a mix of products and promotions

Be sure to vary your displays so that they don’t become boring or repetitive over time. Another way to keep things interesting is by cycling through different products and promotions! Doing so will ensure your customers will always have something new to check out.

Support your displays with signage

To ensure customers know what the display is for, include a sign above or next to it that clearly describes its purpose and what products are available. If you don’t have time to create a sign yourself, you can print pre-designed signs online and add them to your displays.

Keep it clean!

A key part of keeping customers interested in making sure your displays look attractive and well-maintained. If you notice any of your point-of-purchase displays are looking shabby, it’s time to replace them with something new!

Promote special discount offers but only periodically

Discounted offers are great tools to attract attention and boost sales. But it isn’t smart to give discounts too often. This will make your items appear overpricing.

Offer special discounts during the holidays when your customers are thankful for something significant or on an annual celebration of employee appreciation. Promote this offer on social media or via email newsletter.

The goal is to attract as many people as possible to your shop, so they take advantage of the offer and wow them with the shopping experience, so they’re receptive to buying further.

It may take a little trial and error to decide the discount level to offer, so run a couple of tests to see if one generates the greatest traffic.

Impulse Buying in the Digital Age

With the rise of mobile technology, businesses need to adapt their marketing strategies and point-of-purchase displays to accommodate new shopping habits. Here are a few things you should know about impulse buying in the digital age:

People are browsing more than ever before

In the past, impulse buying was mainly influenced by what you saw while walking through a brick-and-mortar store.

But now that we’re spending more time browsing the web on our phones and tablets, chances are we’ll be tempted to make an impulsive purchase later on. That’s why online retailers need to include pop-ups and landing pages to increase people’s likelihood of getting in the “buying mood.”

Keep things simple

It can be tempting to include a ton of information on your website. But when it comes to impulse buying, less is more. If you want people to buy something right now, you have to make the process as hassle-free and streamlined as possible. That’s why strategically placed click-to-call buttons are such an effective tool.

Use social media to lure shoppers in

As users increasingly spend time on their mobile devices, countless businesses have begun using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to promote their products and encourage impulse buying. You can set up a variety of campaigns to boost your visibility and attract more customers.

Just make sure you’re posting consistent content that will appeal to your target audience.

Don’t force customers to create an account

The bottom line is this: It’s hard to make a spur-of-the-moment purchase if you have to spend too much time inputting payment information or creating an account before you’re able to buy anything.

That’s why it’s best to let people purchase without creating an account. After all, you can always follow up with them later via email or text for any additional information needed.

Don’t neglect your mobile app

Even if most of your traffic comes from the web, don’t neglect your mobile app. Implementing a cart system allows consumers to purchase using their mobile devices and takes very little effort.

Promote your products on third-party sites

One of the best ways to boost impulse buying is promoting your products on third-party platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. When people are looking at other items on a third-party site and see your company’s brand, they’re much more likely to make a purchase.

The Psychology of Impulse Buyers

A big part of designing point-of-purchase displays is understanding the psychology behind impulse buying.

People like to feel they’re getting a great deal, so creating deals or offering discounts will encourage them to make a purchase.

Simplicity is also key because it’s easier for people to part with their money when the process is as straightforward as possible.

This means you should avoid sending customers through long checkout processes and complicated payment forms.

Please give them the information they need, but not more. Present your point-of-purchase displays and your deals in a simple format so that it’s easy for customers to make their purchase on the spot!

Frequently Asked Questions

What time of day do people impulse buy?

People typically impulse buy in the morning and evening hours, as this is when they’re returning home from work or school.

What causes people to impulse buy?

A few things cause people to make sudden purchases: boredom, stress, depression, and the need for comfort.

For example, if someone feels depressed or stressed, they may decide to go on a spending spree and buy things that will make them happy.

What kind of products are most likely to be impulse bought?

Common impulse buys include food items, personal hygiene supplies, stationery, and decorative home goods.

If you want people to stop and check out your point-of-purchase displays, offer them something they’ll want to bring home with them!

What percent of purchases are impulse buys?

There are around 20-30 purchases that are impulse buys. Research shows that there is a rise in the number of impulsive purchases with age.

What is the psychology behind impulse buying?

Impulse buying is driven in part by an emotional response. People are more likely to buy things when they feel certain emotions such as boredom, stress, sadness, or excitement.

What Means Shopping Therapy?

It’s a virtual therapy to overcome negative feelings. Shopping Therapy is an emotional response to help someone buy something that they feel will make them happy to get rid of the stress or sadness.

Last Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about how to encourage impulse buying with point-of-purchase displays and that this knowledge will help boost your sales.

Impulse buyers are an important demographic for many businesses because they act quickly and don’t think too much before deciding what to buy.

If you’re not sure where to start incorporating these principles into your business model, give us a call!

Our team of marketing experts can guide you through the process so that it’s quick and easy. What do you think? Have any other tips on encouraging impulse buys at your place of work or in eCommerce? Please share them below!