---
title: "Point-of-sale display (POS): which supports to activate a store?"
description: "Point-of-sale advertising (POS/POP display) explained: types of supports, objectives and criteria to trigger in-store purchase."
url: "https://publicitefrance.com/en/blog/plv-point-de-vente/"
lang: en
translated_from: "https://publicitefrance.com/blog/plv-point-de-vente/"
category: "POS display"
publisher: "PubliCité France"
updated: "2026-08-02"
keywords: ["point of sale display", "POS advertising", "display stand", "in-store activation"]
---

# Point-of-sale display (POS): which supports to activate a store?

**In short:** point-of-sale display (POS, "PLV" in French) covers all the supports that showcase a product in-store. Its role: catch attention at the last moment — the moment of the purchase decision at the shelf.

## What POS display is for
In-store, a large share of decisions are made on the spot. POS display guides the eye, stages the product and triggers impulse purchase. It's the physical extension of a campaign, closest to the checkout.

## Main supports
- **Display stands** (cardboard, wood, metal): showcase a product or range.
- **Shelf-stoppers & rails**: catch the eye in the aisle.
- **Roll-ups, totems, posters**: signal an offer or a world.
- **Islands & gondola ends**: premium in-store locations.
- **Digital POS**: in-aisle screens, more flexible.

## Criteria for effective POS
- **Visibility**: it must be seen from afar and interrupt the journey.
- **Clarity**: an instantly legible message and offer.
- **Consistency** with the overall campaign.
- **Sturdiness**: POS that lasts and withstands traffic.

## FAQ
**POS display and merchandising — same thing?**
No: merchandising organises the overall shelf layout; POS display is a communication support that showcases a product.

**Does digital POS replace cardboard?**
It complements it: digital adds flexibility, cardboard remains economical and effective for one-off operations.

**Who makes POS displays?**
Specialised manufacturers (cardboard, wood, metal, digital POS), often in coordination with the agency or brand.

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*PubliCité France — blog, POS display. French version: /blog/plv-point-de-vente/*