A week before Christmas, a coffee shop in Portland had 40% more people coming in. Even so, half the customers missed the holiday menu special. The problem wasn't the offer—it was that people didn't see it.
During the holiday season, American businesses have a special challenge: getting noticed when everyone is trying to stand out. Restaurants get busy in December, stores stay open late for last-minute shoppers, and local service businesses offer end-of-year deals. With customers moving quickly and making fast choices, your space needs to send a clear message without needing extra explanation.
When customers walk into a space that feels ready for the season, they notice more than just your products. They feel welcomed. That feeling can turn browsers into buyers and first-time visitors into regulars.
Why Winter Visibility Matters More Than You Think
Winter brings shorter days and less sunlight. By 5 PM in December, most storefronts are up against dark streets and the glow of phone screens. Clear, well-lit seasonal signs can be the difference between a customer coming in or just walking by.
The businesses that do well during holiday sales aren't always the ones with the biggest budgets. They're the ones who make sure their offers are easy to spot.
Pop Up and Hop Up Displays: Your Seasonal Foundation
Pop up displays and hop up displays are usually the first things small businesses use for seasonal changes, and there's a good reason for that. The frames stay the same all year, but you can swap out the fabric graphic for winter colors or holiday messages in just a few minutes.
A restaurant hosting New Year's Eve dinner can put a pop up display near the entrance with a simple message like "Reservations Open. Call Now." Retailers often use hop up displays behind a promo table to create a small holiday area that feels organized and easy to shop.
Here's a real example: A boutique in Nashville set up a "Gift Guide by Price" display with a 10-foot curved pop up behind a styled table. Each section showed items under $25, $50, and $100. Customers could look through everything without needing to ask staff, and the average sale went up by 30% compared to their usual holiday setup.
The best part about these displays is that you can use them again and again. A $400 pop up display used for winter holidays, Valentine's Day, summer sales, and back-to-school promotions ends up costing about $100 per season. That's much less than hiring a designer for four different window displays or printing new posters every few months.
At 123Displays, we've helped hundreds of businesses create reusable display systems that work season after season, making the initial investment one that pays for itself multiple times over.
Banner Stands for Quick-Change Promotions
Banner stands are perfect for short-term messages that change during December and January. A pull-up banner stand is all you need to announce a weekend sale, a holiday drink menu, or a New Year's event.
Because banner stands are easy to move, many businesses shift them around during the season. One week they're at the entrance, the next by a seasonal product shelf, and then near the checkout during the last holiday rush. Their portability makes them handy when promotions change fast.
Practical application: A bakery in Austin used three retractable banner stands to create a "Holiday Gift Box" station near their entrance. Each banner showed a different price tier with photos of what was included. Sales of pre-packaged gift boxes increased 65% compared to the previous year when they only had counter signage. Customers appreciated being able to decide before reaching the register, and staff spent less time explaining options during rush hours.
The key is to keep banner stand messages simple. Use one clear offer, one image, and one call to action. If customers can get your message in under three seconds, they're more likely to act.
Backlit Displays That Work When Daylight Doesn't
Backlit displays solve a problem many businesses don't notice until winter: making sure your message is visible when it's dark.
Winter evenings in restaurants, event venues, or malls often feel darker. A backlit wall helps your message stay easy to read without using harsh lighting. The soft glow draws attention naturally, especially in indoor spaces where customers are already moving slowly.
Some businesses use backlit displays to highlight gift card deals, which is smart because gift cards are all profit and don't need to be kept in stock. Others use them to show off new seasonal items or special holiday bundles that might otherwise get missed in a busy space.
Layout tip: Put backlit displays at key spots in your space. Place them near the entrance where customers pause, behind the counter where they wait, or at the end of an aisle where they decide whether to keep browsing or check out.
This investment pays off after December, too. The same backlit frame that shows your New Year's Eve champagne package in January can promote Valentine's dinner specials in February, patio season in May, and fall menu launches in September. 123Displays offers backlit systems with replaceable graphics, so you're investing in a long-term solution rather than a one-time decoration.
Outdoor Flags: Capturing Walk-By Traffic
Getting noticed outside is especially important in winter, especially for restaurants and stores that rely on walk-in customers. Outdoor flags catch the eye of drivers and people walking by in a way regular window posters often don't.
A simple feather flag with a winter message like "Holiday Specials," "Brunch All December," or "New Year Event Tonight" can bring in people who didn't plan to stop. The movement of flags in the wind stands out on a busy street.
Where you put the flags matters: Place them near parking lot entrances, at sidewalk corners where people turn, or on both sides of your main entrance to create a welcoming path. Businesses with more than one entrance often use different flag messages, like "Gift Cards Inside" near the parking lot and "Holiday Hours: Open Late" near the entrance for people walking in.
A restaurant owner in Denver found that adding two feather flags for "Thanksgiving Takeout Orders" brought in 15 new catering customers who had driven by for years without knowing they offered holiday meal services.
Building a Complete Seasonal Display Strategy
The best holiday setups use different types of displays that work together to guide customers' eyes through your space.
The Three-Zone Approach
- Outside (10-15 feet away): Flags and window graphics catch people's attention and share your main seasonal offer from a distance.
- Entrance (0-5 feet): Banner stands greet customers with specific promotions or holiday hours. You have about three seconds here to show what you offer.
- Inside: Pop up displays or backlit panels repeat your message and create photo spots that help you reach more people online.
Complete example: A wine shop in Chicago combined these elements during their holiday push. Two feather flags outside announced "Holiday Wine Bundles." A retractable banner stand at the entrance showed the three bundle options with pricing. A 10-foot pop up display behind the tasting counter featured lifestyle photography of holiday gatherings with wine. A backlit display near checkout highlighted gift card purchases. The result: their most successful holiday season on record, with a 45% increase in bundle sales and a 50% increase in gift card purchases.
Addressing the Cost Question
Many business owners are unsure about spending money on displays during an already expensive season. But the truth is, reusable display setups are one of the few marketing costs that get cheaper every time you use them.
A $300 banner stand used four times a year costs $75 per use. That's less than most businesses spend on a week of social media ads, and the banner stand works all day, every day, without needing clicks or likes.
Businesses that struggle during the holidays are often the ones that planned to update their displays but waited until mid-December, when production times are longer and shipping slows down. The businesses that do well start planning in October and have everything set up by Thanksgiving.
Common Questions About Holiday Displays
How far in advance should I order holiday displays? Plan for 2-3 weeks for standard products, 4-6 weeks for custom designs. Most successful businesses place orders in early November. At 123Displays, we keep popular holiday display options in stock for faster turnaround during the busy season.
Can I update graphics without buying new hardware? Yes. Pop up displays, hop up displays, and many banner stands use replaceable fabric or vinyl graphics. You invest in the frame once and swap graphics seasonally.
What's the typical lifespan of these displays? Quality display hardware lasts 5-10 years with proper care. Graphics typically last 2-3 years depending on usage and storage conditions.
Do I need different displays for indoor and outdoor use? Outdoor displays need weather-resistant materials and weighted bases. Indoor displays prioritize aesthetics and can use lighter fabrics. Many businesses maintain both sets, and 123Displays can help you choose the right specifications for each environment.
Make This Season Your Best Yet
The holiday season isn't just about decorating. It's about organizing your message so customers understand your offers during one of the busiest shopping times of the year.
Pop up displays, hop up displays, banner stands, backlit displays, and flags help you create clear messaging without changing your whole layout. They let you get ready for the season quickly, stay flexible as promotions change, and go back to your usual look once January comes.
Most businesses wait until mid-December to update their displays, which is when production times get longer and shipping slows down. Browse the 123Displays ready-to-ship holiday collection now at 123Displays.com, or contact our team at email sales@123displays.com or please call 877-744-4404 to discuss custom options that can arrive before your holiday rush starts.
Remember the Portland coffee shop from earlier? For their next holiday season, they added two banner stands and a backlit menu board from 123Displays. The drinks and prices stayed the same, but visibility improved. Their holiday beverage sales went up by 55%.
Ready to transform your holiday sales? Visit 123Displays.com today our display experts are available to help you choose the right combination for your space and budget.
Don't wait until mid-December when everyone else is scrambling. Order now and be ready before the holiday rush begins.