The Complete Guide to Costco and Sam’s Club Pallet Displays

The average Sam’s Club carries between 6,000 and 7,000 items, while Costco stores typically carry approximately 4,000 SKUs. Given the cavernous nature of these warehouse clubs and the sheer amount of products they carry, pallet displays can be an excellent way to ensure your products stand out.

To maximize their impact, retail displays must be eye-catching, engaging, and accessible.

However, the world’s best retail display is pointless if it doesn’t make it onto the store floor. This is why it’s essential to understand each retailer’s requirements for packaging and displays.

This article will provide an overview of Sam's Club and Costco pallet display and requirements.

What is a Pallet Display?

A pallet display is a point-of-purchase marketing and packaging tool that doubles as both a display piece and a shipping container.

Made of sturdy, lightweight, and cost-effective corrugate, pallet displays can be configured in many designs, including in full, half, and quarter sizes; with or without shelves; and for one or a combination of products. They also allow for on-brand and informative messaging due to digital printing advancements.

Because of their potential to boost foot traffic and get your products in front of customers, pallet displays are especially popular in warehouse club settings.

While pallet displays are useful in many situations, they’re especially suitable for seasonal promotions, sales campaigns, and new product launches.

Different Styles of Pallet Displays

Pallet displays are offered in a wide range of shapes and sizes. They can also be shipped fully assembled or KDF, AKA “knocked down flat.” Club store pallets are requested to be shipped fully assembled, with only the skirt to be put in place in store. Two popular pallet display styles include:

Three-Side-Shoppable (TSS)

With TSS pallets, products can easily be merchandised and shopped from three sides. 

Allowing for a flexible customer experience with product interactions supported from all angles, TSS displays often claim coveted endcap status due to their shoppability.

Pallet Skirts

Pallet skirts are a corrugated covering for pallets designed to wrap around a pallet display’s bottom section. They offer many benefits, including reducing inventory risk, managing product inventory, and conveying critical brand recognition and product messaging.

They are an excellent way to add brand messaging, shopper education, and more.

A long-time Costco fixture, butterfly skirts are a particular pallet skirt design. They are a fast and effective way to compel consumers to engage with your products.

Pallet Display Requirements

Club stores each have their own guidelines for pallet displays. For example, most club stores require Full Pallet displays with footprints of 48” x 40”. Understanding the requirements is the best way to ensure compliance. Because if your pallet display isn’t compliant, it will not be accepted by retailers.

Here’s a closer look at the pallet display requirements for two major warehouse clubs: Costco and Sam’s Club.

Costco Full Pallet Display Requirements

Costco pallet displays adhere to the 5x5 rule: Does your packaging explain what it is and why it’s necessary — from five feet away and within five seconds? Additionally, Costco expects display pallets to hold products without becoming a hazard within the store.

Other pallet conditions include:

• Full pallet displays must measure 48” x 40” with no product overhang
• Heights must not exceed 58” in store, but be 52” tall or less to double stack in a truck
• Pallets must have the capacity to hold up to 2,500 pounds
• Product must be shoppable from 3 sides, with the 48” side as the main facing 
• Pallet skirts are requested to be butterfly style 
• iGPS, Pico, and CHEP pallets are allowed 

Because Costco mandates a “No Touch” policy for most products, your pallets should be designed to reach their final destination without additional handling. Because this is a strategic endeavor to improve efficiency, Costco conducts random packaging compliance audits. However, butterfly skirts are designed for quick setup in store.

Sam’s Club Full Pallet Display Requirements

Sam’s Club also emphasizes the importance of displays and packaging to make it easy for shoppers to identify the product and its purpose. The display should also be made of easily recyclable or reusable materials.

• Full pallet displays must measure 48” x 40” with no product overhang
• Heights must not exceed 60” in store, but be 52” tall or less to double stack in a truck
• Pallets must have the capacity to hold up to 2,100 pounds
• Product must be shoppable from 3 sides, with the 40” side as the main facing 
• Sam’s Club does NOT permit pallet skirts
• iGPS, Pico, and CHEP pallets are allowed 

Sam’s Club store associates should be able to easily and quickly set up the display without additional tools. The absence of pallet skirts makes it even quicker to set up the display. 

Design a Show-Stopping Display with Bay Cities

Well-executed displays offer many benefits, including helping people identify our products, ease of use, and sustainability. Working with a partner who understands the ins and outs of club store compliance guidelines is essential.

At Bay Cities, we have extensive experience designing and manufacturing custom pallet and POP displays. In addition to creating a display you love, we can help you accelerate and streamline your pallet display journey from the production floor to the storefront with creative ideas and inspiration.

Interested in learning more about pallet displays and why they might be a good fit for your marketing and packaging efforts? Request your free quote to get started.

Disclaimer: Requirements are accurate at the time of publication. However, pallet requirements are subject to change. Please contact Bay Cities or Retailer to confirm current requirements.