What Is a Point of Sale Display (And How to Execute Them Across Locations)

Introduction

Point of sale (POS) displays are some of the most valuable marketing tools for brands—especially in retail or quick service environments. But when you support 50, 500 or 1,000 locations, managing POS displays becomes a challenge of logistics, compliance and timing.

Without a system, campaigns get delayed, signage shows up wrong or stores receive materials that don’t match their format.

IRIS Strategic Marketing Support (IRIS) solves this with GearBox®, a centralized platform that structures POS display distribution across locations—automating print, routing and signage deployment by store.

What Is a Point of Sale Display?

A point of sale display is any printed or digital signage placed at or near the checkout area of a store or service location. Its job is to influence customer behavior at the moment of transaction.

Common POS display formats include:

• Table tents
  
  
• Countertop signage
  
  
• Window clings
  
  
• Menu inserts
  
  
• Floor decals
  
  
• Limited-time offer signs
  
  
• Small screens or digital kiosks
  
  

POS displays are used to upsell, promote, remind or guide—right where the buying decision is being made.

Benefits of Point of Sale Displays in Distributed Environments

1. Increased Visibility for Key Promotions
POS displays are often the last thing a customer sees before purchasing—making them powerful tools for time-sensitive promos.

2. Lower Advertising Waste
Unlike digital ads, POS signage is guaranteed to be seen in the environment where decisions happen.

3. Reinforces National Campaigns Locally
POS displays extend the impact of broader campaigns by connecting them to in-store moments.

4. Easy to Customize by Region or Store Type
With the right system, POS signage can be localized for hours, pricing, store layout or regulatory requirements.

How GearBox® by IRIS Supports POS Display Execution

For distributed brands, signage can’t be one-size-fits-all. That’s why GearBox® by IRIS lets marketing teams:

• Assign signage kits based on store profile, region or license type
  
  
• Enable safe edits for pricing, hours or promotions with locked branding
  
  
• Route orders to approved vendors based on store location
  
  
• Track signage rollout and usage by market
  
  
• Store asset history and manage version control
  
  

From countertop signs to full promo kits, GearBox® helps manage signage like a campaign—not a guessing game.

Use Case: Applebee’s Executes POS Displays With Precision

Applebee’s needed to launch seasonal and LTO campaigns across a large franchise network—with different signage formats per store type.

With GearBox® by IRIS, they:

• Assigned POS kits by restaurant layout
  
  
• Protected all brand and disclaimer elements in templates
  
  
• Allowed operators to localize hours and pricing
  
  
• Routed signage directly to stores from approved vendors
  
  
• Monitored campaign rollout and signage fulfillment centrally
  
  

Read the Applebee’s Case Study

What used to take weeks now launches with speed and brand consistency.

Conclusion

So, what is a point of sale display? It’s the last impression before a purchase—and one of the most critical parts of your campaign’s success.

For brands managing multiple locations, POS displays must be localized, timed and tracked. GearBox® by IRIS gives your marketing team the structure to make every sign count—at scale.

Talk to IRIS to see how your next signage rollout can run smarter.