How To Source Candy Displays for Your Candy & Soda Shop

Running a candy shop is as much about selling candy as it is selling an experience. Of course you’re stocking all the good stuff, but it is your job to make it all seem irresistible! Think of your candy displays and fixtures as the stage for your sweet, (and sometimes salty) performers. Some well-placed floor stands here, an eye-level candy rack there, and suddenly one day you begin to realize that your gummy wall is practically printing money!

The right retail displays can catch your customer’s eye, inspire nostalgia in your retail environment, and most importantly drive sales. Whether you’re launching your very first candy store startup enterprise, or simply remodeling your existing sweets and soda shop, the way you present your products can make a world of difference. So, where do you find these magical retail money makers?

No matter where you’ve found yourself in the business cycle, sourcing the best displays and fixtures that meet your budget is of crucial importance in opening your own candy shop.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through sourcing displays and fixtures that work for your space and your budget. We’ll explain how to find everything: from bulk candy displays and lollipop stands, to floor stands, slatwall hooks and bins, and countertop displays. You’ll also learn how your display choices can boost store merchandising and encourage impulse purchases (yes, even that customer who came in “for just one thing”).

Start with a Plan: Your Space, Your Call

Before buying anything, take stock of your space and the room you have to work with. Are you working with a narrow storefront? Do you have room for multiple display racks, or just one simple, eye-catching candy counter?

You’ll want to think about the traffic flow inside your store. This is so your customers can effortlessly walk through your space without bumping into your candy display fixtures, or each other! Your display shelving should guide them towards new products, while encouraging a little exploration. Some featured-item display tables, seasonal setups, and countertop displays near the register are a perfect way to handle this.

You’ll also want to consider how to utilize your space the most effectively:

• Wall space: Ideal for slatwall bins, hooks, and hanging peg bags.
• Vertical space: Using tall floor stands or stackable bulk bins can help you get the most out of your retail space’s square footage.
• Impulse zones: Displays near the register, like mini lollipop stands or changemaker picks, can make a big impact and encourage last-minute purchase decisions.
• Presentation: Candy is naturally bright and colorful, so it pops best against subtle, neutral backgrounds.
• Lighting: A clean, well-lit store, with full shelves and bins is more welcoming and encourages more sales. A sparse, messy, or dimly-lit store is definitely a sales-killer!
• Rotating stock for freshness: No one wants stale candy. That’s why stock rotation isn’t just good practice – it’s critical for customer satisfaction and repeat business. Your store display options should make it easy to rotate stock in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) rotation.

Once you’ve completed an initial assessment of your needs and options, the next step will be finding out where to procure the right equipment and displays to showcase in your store. If you're just getting started, it can be tempting to search “bulk candy displays” and hit “add to cart” on the first pretty stand you see. But the best deals (and the most creative displays) often come from looking in a few less obvious places.

1. Fixture & Retail Display Distributors

There are plenty of companies that specialize in displays and fixtures for retail. Brands that specialize in candy displays, like Candy Concepts, or Candy Displays are popular options. Sometimes even candy brands like Jelly Belly, or Hershey’s will offer retailers unique displays for their stores, sometimes as seasonal incentives, or for limited-time product offerings.

You can also find decent options at general retail supply outlets like Display Fixture Superstore, Store Supply Warehouse, or Gershel Brothers, who offer everything from bulk candy racks to gravity bins and slatwall systems. These are great for long-term durability, especially in high-traffic shops, but keep in mind that purchasing brand-new items will require a significant upfront investment.

2. Check eBay or Buy Used

Don’t underestimate the value of gently used fixtures! You can find lightly-used floor stands, candy rack displays, and even display shelving at a fraction of the price.

You could even get lucky on Facebook Marketplace! Just be sure to check it often for the opportunity to find some sweet local deals. Sometimes stores that are closing or remodeling will sell their entire setups for cheap or even free. You simply haul it away, and it’s yours!

3. Trade Shows and Local Business Closings

If you attend a local business expo or industry trade show like the Sweets & Snacks Expo, keep an eye out for booths selling store fixtures. Some businesses will even work with you to create custom display options that will perfectly fit your store’s aesthetic and available space. Just be aware that custom-built solutions will often come with a hefty price tag!

Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to other shops that are closing. Often they will be looking to sell off bulk bins, pegboards, and candy counters for a good price and you can find them through online discussion boards, Craigslist, OfferUp, or even a Facebook group like the Candy Stores & Soda Shops North America group.

Mix and Match: What Display Types Work Best?

Every candy shop is different, but here are a few tried-and-true options to enhance the shopping experience inside candy stores and soda shops:

1. Bulk Candy Displays: The Backbone of Your Shop

Bulk bins and gravity feed racks aren’t just practical; they can be the most important profit engines for your store. Studies show interactive displays (think: scoop-your-own bins) can increase sales by up to 60%!

2. Countertop and Lollipop Stands: Small, but Mighty

Not every display needs to take up valuable floor space. Countertop displays (like spinning lollipop stands) can turn idle checkout time into "ooh, and I’ll take one of these too!" moments.

3. Floor Stands and Feature Tables: The Perfect Highlight for Hot Items

Want to highlight your limited-edition sodas or imported Dubai chocolate bars? Floor stands are your ultimate spotlight for consumer awareness. Place them near the entrance or at aisle end caps. These are the prime real estate for impulse grabs and to showcase exciting new items from your store’s inventory.

4. Pegboards and Slatwall Displays: Your Ultimate Customizable Canvas

Pegboards aren’t just for garages. With the right slatwall hooks and bins, you can turn blank walls into a candy counter masterpiece. Candy shop owners love them because it’s easy to swap-out display racks in seconds for seasonal swaps, or store flow redesigns. They are also perfect for single-serving treats like candy bars, peg bags, or quirky interactive treats.

Good displays do more than hold candy, they should help your business tell a story. The colors, layout, and even signage you use should reinforce the fun, nostalgic, or adventurous vibe of your brand. At Redstone Foods, we’ve experienced almost 60 years in the candy business and we’ve seen firsthand just how the right candy rack in the right place can turn a $2 sale into a $20 one, all without needing to use any pushy sales gimmicks.

While Redstone Foods doesn’t sell many displays and fixtures directly (aside from a few lollipop stands), we do specialize in curating the right candy and soda lineup to fill them. If you need help stocking those displays with the best-selling, trend-worthy, or nostalgic treats, our dedicated team of customer service representatives are here to assist you!

Sign up for an account or give us a call today! We’re here to help you build that sweet empire you’ve always dreamed of.

1-800-444-3520