Dump Bins
Deep bins and dispensers for loose stock, sweets and promotional lines.
from £0.25 a boxView style
Floor Display Units
Free standing cardboard units with shelves, a header at eye level and printed side panels, built in B flute for aisle ends, entrances and promotion areas.
From £0.25 a boxpriced per job and sent by email within one working day
Often Used For
- New product launches
- Gift ranges and bundles
- Household and laundry products
- Drinks and snacks promotions
- Books, cards and stationery
- Hardware and accessories on hooks
Planning a promotion with a store? Send the space they have given you.
What is a floor display unit?
A floor display unit, sometimes called an FSDU, is a free standing cardboard unit that stands on the shop floor rather than on a counter or shelf. It usually has three to five shelves, printed side panels and a header at or above eye level. It is built from B flute corrugated board so it keeps its shape while being restocked and brushed past by trolleys and bags.
Floor units are the loudest format in retail packaging. They take up real floor space, so stores use them for launches, promotions and lines they want shoppers to notice.
When is a floor unit worth the space?
When you want a product found by people who were not looking for it. Floor units at the end of an aisle, by the entrance or near the till reach shoppers who would never walk down the aisle where your product normally sits. They also make sense for bulky products that will not fit on a counter, and for bundles or gift ranges that need room to look generous.
Because a store gives up valuable space for them, floor units are usually agreed as part of a promotion. Plan the unit and the promotion together.
- Launches that need to be seen in the first weeks
- Store promotions agreed with a buyer
- Gift ranges and bundles
- Bulky products that do not fit on counters
Talk to the store early. Many chains book floor space weeks ahead and have their own rules on size and build, and a unit designed to those rules from the start is approved far faster than one adjusted afterwards.
Which floor unit styles do you make?
A shelved unit is the classic: a box shaped frame with flat shelves. A tiered unit steps back so each shelf is visible from the front, which suits shorter products. A hook unit replaces shelves with pegs or a perforated back for hanging packs. A shaped unit is cut to an outline, such as a bottle, a character or an appliance, so the unit itself becomes part of the message.
For smaller spaces or tabletops, a counter top display stand gives a similar look at a smaller size.
How long does a floor unit last in store?
Cardboard floor units are built for a promotion, usually a few weeks to a few months. With B flute board, sensible shelf loads and a store that keeps it dry, a unit stays straight and clean for that period. For longer runs, ask about a double wall base and replacement headers so the unit can be refreshed rather than replaced.
Which board does a floor unit need?
B flute throughout is the standard. Heavier loads get a double wall base or internal supports under each shelf. The header can be a lighter board because it carries nothing.
| Part | Board | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Frame and sides | B flute corrugated | Holds the unit straight |
| Shelves | B flute with folded front edges | Stays flat under stock |
| Base | B flute or double wall | Takes knocks from trolleys and feet |
| Header | E flute or B flute | Light, prints sharply |
Where should the print go on a floor unit?
The header carries the brand and the main message at eye level. The side panels face shoppers walking down the aisle, so they are just as important as the front. Shelf fronts are narrow strips for product names or a short line. Big, simple graphics work best because floor units are seen from several metres away.
The base front takes the most knocks, so avoid fine detail there and consider a darker colour that hides scuffs.
Ask the store for its space
Stores usually allocate a set footprint for a floor unit. Ask for the width, depth and any height limit before we draw, and we design to fit it.
How do we size a floor unit?
If no store has set a footprint yet, we can start from a common size and adjust later.
- Get the footprint the store will give you: width, depth and any height limit.
- Send the size of each product and how many should sit on each shelf.
- Tell us roughly what a full shelf weighs.
- We set the shelf count, spacing and supports, then the header size.
- The free proof shows the unit from the front and side, built and flat.
How tall should a floor unit be?
Tall enough to put the header at or just above eye level, which on most units means a total height a little under the height of an adult. The top shelf should still be easy to reach. Very tall units can feel unstable and some stores restrict height, so check before we draw.
Check the sight line from the aisle too. A header that sits just above the heads of shoppers in front can be read from further down the aisle, which is often where the decision to walk over is made.
How many shelves should it have?
Usually three to five. Fewer, deeper shelves suit bulky products; more, shallower shelves suit small packs. The lowest shelf sits a little above the floor so it is not kicked and mopped, and the top shelf sits below the header so products do not block it.
Leave a little headroom above each row of product so it can be lifted out without catching the shelf above. Tight spacing looks full on day one but slows restocking and leads to damaged packs.
Shelf loads
Tell us what one full shelf weighs, roughly. We add supports or a stronger shelf so it stays flat for the whole promotion.
How do I order floor display units?
Send the footprint, product sizes, shelf loads and quantity. We email a price within one working day and then send a free proof. Production takes 5 to 7 working days after approval. If the unit is part of a promotion with a chain, read what retailers check before accepting a display.
How are floor units delivered and built?
Each unit ships flat in its own carton with the header and shelves inside and a build guide printed on the inside panel. Most units go together in a few minutes by hand, with no tape and nothing else needed. We send them free and tracked across the UK mainland, 2 to 3 working days after dispatch. Report any damage or misprints within 10 days for a reprint or refund.
Floor Display Units Specification
Everything below can be changed to suit your product. Ask if you need something not listed.
| Styles | Shelved unit, tiered unit, unit with hooks, shaped unit |
|---|---|
| Shelves | Typically three to five, heights set by your products |
| Board | B flute corrugated, double wall bases on request |
| Full colour on header, sides and shelf fronts | |
| Finish | Matt or gloss lamination |
| Header | Separate slot in header, any shape |
| Build | Flat packed with a printed build guide, no tape |
| Price | From £0.25 a box, quoted per job by size, board, print and quantity |
| Proof | Free design proof with dieline before printing |
| Production | 5 to 7 working days after proof approval |
| Delivery | Free tracked UK mainland delivery in 2 to 3 working days |
Design Your Display Box
Pick a photo of floor display units, upload your logo and see it on the box. Send it with your sizes for a price and a free proof.
Choose a display box
Drag the logo or use the arrow keys.
Related Display Boxes
Cardboard Display Stands
Raised stands with a tall printed back panel for counters and tables.
from £0.25 a boxView style
Shelf Ready Packaging
Outer case and display tray in one, built for quick shelf filling.
from £0.25 a boxView style
Display Box Inserts
Card and corrugated inserts that hold each item in place in the display.
from £0.25 an insertView style
Floor Display Units FAQs
How much does a floor display unit cost?
Floor units start from £0.25 a box like every style; the real price depends on size, shelves, board, print and quantity, and comes by email.
What is an FSDU?
A free standing display unit: a cardboard floor unit with shelves and a header.
How much weight can a shelf take?
It depends on the shelf size and supports. Tell us what a full shelf weighs and we design for it.
Do floor units arrive built?
No. They arrive flat in their own carton and build in a few minutes.
Can the header be changed later?
Yes. A separate header can be reprinted for a new promotion.
How tall are floor units?
Usually a little under adult height, with the header at eye level. We follow any store height limit.
Can a floor unit hold hanging products?
Yes. We make units with hooks or a perforated back for hanging packs.
Will the unit survive mopping?
Keep it dry where possible. A darker base print and a raised bottom shelf help in busy stores.
Can the unit be a custom shape?
Yes. Shaped units cut to a product or character outline are possible.
Can I order one unit for a single shop?
Yes. Minimums are low and quoted per job.
How long does a floor unit last?
Built for a promotion of a few weeks to a few months, longer with a stronger base.
Can you send units to several stores?
Yes. List the store addresses when you ask for a price and we include delivery to each one.