Point of Purchase (POP) display assembly typically costs between $0.30 and $100 per unit, depending on complexity, volume, and turnaround requirements.
You already have the display designs. Your corrugated supplier is ready to ship. Now you need someone to actually build, fill, and ship those displays to retail. That's where the math gets interesting. The cost of display assembly varies dramatically based on what you're asking a partner to do, and most brands underestimate how much execution quality affects their retail performance. According to recent retail audits, up to 40% of displays are set up incorrectly or not at all once they reach stores. Getting the assembly right before they ship is the first step to protecting that investment.
Simple, high-volume display assembly runs $0.30-$0.50 per unit, while complex manual builds range from $30-$100+ per unit. The spread is wide because "display assembly" covers everything from shrink-wrapping a pre-packed shipper to hand-building a four-sided floor display with multiple SKUs, header cards, and retail-ready packaging. Here's how the ranges typically break down:
Most contract packaging partners quote based on your specific project specs. The numbers above give you a planning range, but your actual cost depends on the factors below.
Six factors determine where your project lands in the pricing range: complexity, volume, quality requirements, materials handling, turnaround time, and consistency.
Complexity: A single-SKU counter display requires less labor than a four-sided floor display with twelve SKUs, header cards, and promotional inserts. Every additional component adds assembly time.
Volume: Larger runs mean lower per-unit costs. A 500-unit display run costs more per unit than a 5,000-unit run because setup and changeover costs spread across fewer units.
Quality requirements: Higher inspection frequencies, photo documentation, and retail compliance checks add cost but reduce chargebacks. If your retailer requires specific pack-out standards, build that into your specs upfront.
Materials handling: Fragile products, heavy items, or temperature-sensitive goods require more care. A display filled with glass jars costs more to assemble than one filled with bagged snacks.
Turnaround time: Standard turnaround (10 business days) costs less than rush programs. If you need displays built and shipped in five days, expect to pay a premium.
Consistency: Recurring programs with predictable volumes get better rates than one-off projects. Partners can staff and schedule more efficiently when they know your work is coming.
Because a poorly assembled display is worse than no display at all. Research shows that retail display compliance often runs 40-60% when actually measured, even though brands assume it's 80-90%. That gap starts before the display ever reaches the store.
If displays arrive damaged, incorrectly packed, or missing components, store associates either fix them (poorly), set them up wrong, or don't set them up at all. Every display that doesn't get built correctly represents wasted product, wasted corrugated, and missed sales.
With impulse purchases accounting for 60-70% of retail sales and 50% of shoppers saying attractive displays drive them to buy impulsively, the stakes are real. A display that arrives retail-ready and gets set up correctly can deliver significant sales lift. One that arrives with problems often never makes it to the floor.
Outsource if display assembly isn't your core competency, if volume fluctuates seasonally, or if you need flexibility without fixed overhead. Most brands that assemble displays in-house discover hidden costs:
A contract packaging partner absorbs those variables. You pay per unit, scale up or down without layoffs or hiring, and access established quality systems without building them yourself. For brands running seasonal promotions or club store programs, the math usually favors outsourcing.
Ask for fully-loaded pricing, price lock terms, and volume break points. Some partners quote low assembly rates then add fees for materials handling, storage, or shipping coordination. Others provide all-in pricing with no surprises. Before comparing quotes:
The contract packaging cost calculator can help you estimate costs for your specific project before requesting formal quotes.
Industrial Packaging assembles 7,000 displays per week for CPG brands across snacks, confectionery, and consumer goods. We focus exclusively on secondary packaging, which means display assembly is core to what we do, not a side service.
Here's what that means in practice:
Your GM is your first point of contact. You get proactive updates on production status, not just when something goes wrong. We ask what metrics matter to you and build reporting around your priorities.
We're not the right fit for every project. We don't handle frozen, liquids, or temperature-controlled products. We specialize in secondary packaging for shelf-stable goods. But if your displays need to arrive retail-ready with documentation your compliance team can trust, that's exactly what we do.
What's the minimum order for display assembly?
Minimums vary by partner. Industrial Packaging's minimum for display builds is 100 units. High-volume partners may require larger minimums, while smaller co-packers may accept lower quantities at higher per-unit rates.
How long does display assembly take?
Standard turnaround is typically 10 business days from receiving your product and materials. Rush programs are available with most partners but carry premium pricing. For new programs, allow 2-3 weeks for initial ramp-up.
Can I send my own display corrugate to an assembly partner?
Yes. Most contract packagers receive display materials from your corrugate supplier, your finished product from manufacturing, and any inserts or promotional materials you provide. They handle coordination and assembly.
What certifications should a display assembly partner have?
For food and consumer goods, look for SQF Level 2, FDA registration, and AIB certification. Retailers like Walmart, Target, and club stores often require specific certifications from supply chain partners. Verify your partner's certifications match your retail requirements.
How do I compare quotes from different assembly partners?
Request fully-loaded quotes that include receiving, storage, assembly, QA, palletizing, and shipping coordination. Compare per-unit costs at your expected volume, and factor in turnaround time, quality metrics, and communication practices. The lowest per-unit cost isn't always the best value if quality or reliability suffers.
What happens if displays are assembled incorrectly?
This depends on your partner's quality systems. Ask about their QA process, documentation practices, and how they handle errors. Strong partners catch issues during assembly through hourly checks. Weaker partners don't discover problems until retailers complain.
Can display assembly partners handle seasonal surges?
Most contract packagers are built for volume fluctuation. Ask about their capacity, shift flexibility, and how they've handled seasonal programs for other clients. A partner running at 90% capacity may struggle with your Q4 surge, while one at 60% utilization has room to grow with you.
The right display assembly partner depends on your volume, complexity, and retail requirements.
If you're running promotional displays, seasonal programs, or club store builds and want a partner who treats display assembly as a core competency, start a conversation. If you're still in the planning phase, our cost calculator can help you estimate what your project might cost before you request formal quotes.