“The display hasn’t been working.”
Heard that before? Maybe you’ve said it yourself. If a display isn’t moving product, it’s not necessarily because customers don’t need or want it. Having a display that converts often comes down to a few simple (and fixable) things that are quietly costing you sales.
Top 3 Reasons Displays Underperform:
1. Not stocked.
This is #1 for a reason. It’s the most common (and most avoidable) issue we see in branches. An empty or half-full display stops selling–and just looks bad. A full display does the opposite. It draws attention (the good kind) and signals to your customer that you’ve got everything they need, right there. We understand the push to keep inventory lean. But when it comes to displays, empty space = missed revenue.
2. Wrong spot.
You might be surprised how many solid displays we find hiding behind a pile of cardboard boxes or tucked in the back corner where customers never go. What’s never surprising is how poorly those displays perform. The best displays sit in high-traffic real estate, spots like near the counter, by the door, or next to the popcorn or coffee station. Place your display where it’s impossible to miss and easy to grab from.
3. Looks neglected.
A display that hasn’t been spruced up for weeks either blends into the background or sticks out for all the wrong reasons. We see it all the time: crooked rows, missing or mismatched product cards, or signage that looks like it’s from the 90s.
The good news? It doesn’t take much to fix. Make it look like someone cares. Straighten the rows, realign the product cards, and take a quick look in the back for extra stock. It’s not uncommon for us to point out a half-empty display and find unopened boxes of product sitting nearby.
Even if you’re waiting on a shipment, a quick straighten and refresh goes a long way.
Bottom line: a display that looks ignored gets ignored.
Two Displays Getting It Right
So what does good look like? Here are two displays we’ve seen this season that we know are crushing it right now:
“Top-Notch Tower” 📍Nearby, WA
Why it’s working:
They keep it fully stocked (with backup inventory ready to reload)
Variety in product categories: hoses, nozzles, repair stuff – everything they could need
Prime location near the coffee
Clean, aligned product cards and updated signage.
Makes for a great customer experience: easy to find and grab exactly what you’re looking for.
“Royal Rack” 📍Somewhere, OR
Why it’s working:
Front-and-center placement–visible the second you walk in
Products grouped neatly (hoses with hoses, accessories together)
Clean straight rows with visual appeal (check out those hose colors)
It’s clearly cared for and maintained
Multi-dimensional: It has three different sides, each with a different highlight: colorful hoses, brass nozzles, and the Underhill Gold Series. Not only does this add interest, it makes the most of the footprint.
More Than Product Storage
In the day-to-day, it’s easy to forget: your display is more than just a place to keep your product, it’s a sales tool that should be working for you. If you have one that’s not moving product, start here: Fill it. Make it visible. Keep it tidy.
Bonus Tip: Take a quick look at what you’ve got on the counter. Counter space is a prime spot to highlight a specific product – as long as it’s intentional and not just adding to the clutter. Is it filled with random stuff or products your customers might actually be interested in?
Need help with a display? Our outside team is available to help you think it through.
Need to fill up an empty one? We’ve got local inventory to help you restock.