P.O.P. stands for point of purchase. This is an important area to effectively merchandise because it is the last chance for the retailer to add to a customer's total purchase. This area is usually stocked with smaller 'impulse' items. These small items in large volumes can greatly affect the stores sales and should not be underestimated! P.O.P. displays can be vendor supplied, such as chocolate bars and candy at gas station or grocery tills or more targeted to directly promoting the store such as gift vouchers and store incentive cards. The most effective use of P.O.P displays that I've come across is at Sephora. I always look forward to seeing what new thing I can try out while I wait in line to pay and because they are usually small items it doesn't really feel like I'm adding too much to my total. I wasn't able to find a picture of the bins they use to make up the line to the registers but the following is an example of a display that would be used at the point of purchase to sell makeup.

- MS