Floorstands, Freestanding, Aisle Displays

Retailer: Kroger
Location: Atlanta

Brand: Julio César Chávez Bebidas LLC, Phoenix
Display companies: Autographics, Scranton, Pa. (standees); Iowa Rotocast Plastics, Decorah, Iowa (barrel coolers); Looks Good Industries, Phoenix, Ariz. (posters)
Displays: Standees, barrel coolers, case stacks, posters, static clings, event tent
Key insight: More than half of Southwestern energy drink sales come from Hispanic shoppers.
Solution: Julio César Chávez Bebidas LLC, Phoenix

"When you review as many displays as I do, you really begin to appreciate units that have those little extra touches that catch your eye, attract shoppers and show the brand being displayed in its best light. This corrugated pre-pack has several elements that warrant mention due to the seamless execution and creative touches.

"This small thermoform and metal display from Foster Grant scores points for finding display space where none previously existed. Metal arms extend forward and hold the oval thermoform trays -- carrying two dozen pairs of reading glasses -- and attach it to a gondola fixture back wall.

The glasses packaging is also oval shaped to add to the overall look, and this compact two-sided unit, complete with mini-header, really stands out from the products on the gondola without blocking any of them to a significant degree. Display space from thin air ... simply brilliant!"

Brand: Hyde Tools, Southbridge, Mass.
Display company: Phillips Enterprises, Northampton, Mass.
Display: Two-sided spinning floorstand
Key insight: Focus groups asked for a more durable display and said the brand's putty knife is its most recognizable tool.
Solution: The unit prominently displays the brand's black and silver colors and takes the shape of the putty knife on both sides.
Description: Hyde's black and silver color scheme and recognizable putty knife are the key features of its newest display.

"One of my pet peeves is when brands create displays that miss opportunities to talk with consumers. In many cases, when heavy products are involved, so much time is spent on structural issues that the communication gets neglected.

With this in mind, I was pleasantly surprised to see how well this corrugated quarter pallet from Purex covered all the bases. Structure was fine for the substantial product load, and the four-sided header hit several key product features and benefits. The display goes the extra mile by printing these points again on the huge side panels."