Great Northern Instore Wins 13 OMA Awards for Retail Displays

Great Northern Instore, a Des Plaines, Illinois-based retail display manufacturer, has earned 13 Outstanding Merchandising Achievement (OMA) Awards this year, highlighting its expertise in creating impactful floor displays for crowded retail environments.

The company's success is a testament to its ability to design and execute custom displays that stand out on store shelves. Great Northern Instore's 13 OMA wins, including one gold, six silver, and five bronze awards, as well as a Budget Award, span a variety of product categories, from cosmetics and toys to beverages, office supplies, and seasonal items. These awards are judged on design execution and real-world retail impact, making them a valuable benchmark for brands seeking to enhance their product presence.

Great Northern Instore's commitment to sustainability is also a key factor in its success. The company uses recycled and recyclable corrugated components and prioritizes simplicity in assembly, allowing store teams to quickly load and arrange displays. This efficiency is crucial in the fast-paced retail environment, where products must capture shoppers' attention within seconds.

The importance of retail floor displays cannot be overstated. In a world where shoppers make split-second decisions, a well-designed display can make all the difference. Great Northern Instore's design experts engineer custom floor displays that blend materials such as corrugated, wood, metal, and plastic into a single unit. A metal frame adds durability, while a touch of wood enhances visual presence. Each display is built to a brand's own footprint, ensuring a seamless integration with the product packaging.

By balancing budget against shelf presence, Great Northern Instore helps brands create displays that are both cost-effective and visually appealing. For instance, a display might pair a metal frame with printed graphic panels rather than committing to full metal construction throughout. This approach helps products register during the brief window shoppers spend on shelf-level purchase decisions.

Thoughtful floor display design gives brands a stronger opportunity to attract attention and communicate a product's value during the shopper's decision-making process. A display that echoes a product's own packaging colors or shapes can further shorten the decision window. Great Northern Instore's expertise in this area has made it a go-to partner for brands looking to elevate their products on crowded store shelves.

With over 60 years of experience, Great Northern Instore has established itself as a leader in the retail display industry. Its team of more than 60 structural designers manages projects internally, from concept through material sourcing and distribution. The company has recently added 13 new awards from this year's Shop! Marketplace OMA competition, further cementing its reputation as a trusted partner for brands seeking to stand out in a competitive retail landscape.