How Strut Cards Can Boost Your Brand at Point-of-Sale

Boost Your Brand with Strut Cards & Shelf Talkers

In the ever-competitive retail landscape, capturing customer attention at the crucial point-of-sale (POS) is paramount. While traditional shelf talkers have served their purpose, today's consumers crave a more engaging and interactive shopping experience. This is where strut cards, often referred to as shelf wobblers or wobblers, come into play. These small, self-standing displays act as silent salespeople, silently promoting products and influencing purchase decisions directly at the point of purchase.

What are Strut Cards?

Strut cards are small, typically A5 or A6 size, printed cards mounted on a sturdy backing that allows them to stand upright on shelves or countertops. Unlike traditional shelf talkers that lie flat, strut cards grab attention with their three-dimensional design. This allows for creative use of both sides of the card, maximising the available space for product information and branding elements.

Imag Sources : VC Print

Why Choose Strut Cards for Point-of-Sale Marketing?

Here's why strut cards should be a key element in your POS marketing strategy:

Increased Visibility: The three-dimensional design of strut cards naturally stands out from traditional flat shelf talkers. This makes them more likely to catch the eye of customers browsing shelves, increasing product visibility and brand awareness.

Enhanced Brand Communication: Strut cards offer valuable real estate for showcasing your brand identity. Include your logo, brand colours, and key messaging to reinforce brand recognition and create a cohesive brand experience at the POS.

Targeted Product Promotion: Unlike static shelf talkers, strut cards can be easily positioned near specific products, highlighting their features and benefits. This targeted approach allows you to directly influence purchase decisions at the point of purchase.

Versatility in Design: Strut cards offer a blank canvas for creative and engaging designs. Utilise high-quality visuals, clear fonts, and concise messaging to grab attention and communicate your message effectively. Consider incorporating QR codes or social media handles to drive online engagement.

Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to other POS marketing materials, strut cards are a cost-effective way to reach a broad audience. The durable design ensures long-lasting use, further maximising your return on investment.

Easy to Update: Unlike permanent signage, strut cards can be easily updated to reflect new promotions, product launches, or seasonal offerings. This allows for a dynamic and flexible POS marketing strategy.

Crafting Effective Strut Cards for Your Brand

To maximise the impact of strut cards, consider these key design elements:

Attention-Grabbing Design: Utilise bold colours, high-quality images, and captivating visuals to grab attention and stand out from the visual clutter on shelves.

Clear and Concise Messaging: The available space on a strut card is limited. Use clear and concise language to communicate key product information and benefits. Highlight special offers or unique selling points to entice customers.

High-Quality Printing: Invest in high-quality printing to ensure vibrant colours, crisp text, and a professional finish. Flimsy or poorly printed strut cards create a negative brand impression.

Call to Action: Include a clear call to action (CTA) on your strut card. This could be prompting customers to try a new product, scan a QR code for more information, or visit your website.

Durability: Strut cards are exposed to wear and tear in a retail environment. Choose a sturdy material for the backing that can withstand bumps and spills without compromising the design.

Implementing Effective Strut Card Strategies

Creating a visually appealing strut card is only half the battle.  Here's how to ensure their effective implementation:

Strategic Placement:  Location is key.  Place your strut cards strategically at eye level directly next to the product they are promoting.  Consider placing them near the checkout counter to capture last-minute purchase decisions.

Target Audience:  Tailor your strut card content and design to your target audience.  Consider their needs, preferences, and what would entice them to purchase the product.

Track and Measure Results:  Monitor the success of your strut card campaigns.  Track sales changes for promoted products or measure customer engagement to gauge their effectiveness.  This data can be used to refine your future strut card strategies.

Complementing Your Marketing Strategy with Shelf Talkers

In conjunction with strut cards, shelf talkers represent another valuable tool for enhancing brand visibility and driving sales at the point-of-sale. These small, attention-grabbing displays attach directly to retail shelves or product displays, drawing shoppers' attention to specific products or promotions. Like strut cards, shelf talkers offer a versatile platform for conveying key messages, product features, and pricing information, making them indispensable assets in any retail environment.

Strut Cards vs Shelf Talkers 

While the terms "strut card" and "shelf talker" are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences.  Shelf talkers are typically attached directly to the shelf using adhesive strips or other fastening methods.  Strut cards, on the other hand, have a self-standing base that allows them to stand upright without any additional support.

This difference in construction offers a slight advantage to strut cards.  They require no additional installation and can be easily repositioned for optimal visibility.

 Effective Applications at the POS

Strut cards are versatile tools with a wide range of applications at the POS:

Promote New Products: Introduce new product lines with eye-catching strut cards showcasing their features and benefits.

Highlight Special Offers: Use strut cards to advertise discounts, promotions, or limited-time offers, encouraging immediate purchase decisions.

Cross-Selling and Upselling: Promote complementary products with strategically placed strut cards, suggesting valuable additions to the customer's purchase.

Directional Signage: Utilise strut cards as directional signage within your store, guiding customers towards specific product categories or sections.

Informative Content: Provide helpful information on product usage, care instructions, or complementary recipes, adding value to the customer experience.

Image Sources : VC Print

Conclusion

The importance of effective point-of-sale marketing cannot be overstated. Strut cards and shelf talkers offer brands a powerful means of engaging consumers, driving sales, and reinforcing brand identity at the crucial moment of purchase consideration. At VC Prints, we understand the significance of impactful visual communication, and we are committed to helping our clients unlock the full potential of their marketing initiatives. With our expertise in printing and design, we offer bespoke solutions for creating striking strut cards and shelf talkers that capture attention, drive engagement, and leave a lasting impression on consumers.