We’re living in a world where everyone is trying to stop the scroll, grab attention, and see who can shout the loudest. So how do you get someone’s attention if you’re a brick-and-mortar store?

Create props that pop.

Research suggests that when we encounter something surprising or unexpected, our brains pay closer attention, making those moments easier to remember. In retail, that’s a huge opportunity. Displays that spark curiousity give shoppers a reason to stop, look a little longer, and remember your store long after they’ve walked away.

That doesn’t mean every display needs to be oversized or expensive. It simply means creating a moment that feels different from everything else around it.

I recently had the chance to do exactly that for a local retailer. For their NeeDoh special release, I designed a giant, brightly colored popsicle along with a few supporting colorful display elements for their window. Even if there hadn’t been a line around the corner, the display itself would have made people stop and look.

I’m certainly not alone in designing displays with bold, unexpected props. Here are a few of my favorites from other brands this year:

Bergdorf Goodman

For Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2026 collection, Bergdorf Goodman transformed its windows into a moving subway experience using multiple digital screens. I wish I could have seen it in person. I probably would have stood there watching it all day. Is it just me, or is this cool?

Coach x Selfridges

The Coach Charm Playground featured a giant dinosaur slide inside Selfridges London. It was playful, interactive, and invited both kids and adults to embrace their inner child. Check it out.

Marimekko

Marimekko never shies away from bold color and graphic prints, but their recent Bangkok Skytrain takeover is a perfect example of thinking beyond the storefront. By transforming an everyday enviroment into a giant brand experience, they proved that even existing spaces can become unforgettable props. See it here.

Banana Republic

One of the newest displays that caught my eye brought the outdoors (and a Jeep) inside, creating an unexpected environment that made the in-store experience feel completely different from every other retailer in the mall. Take a look.

The goal isn’t to make something big just for the sake of being big. The goal is to create a moment that interrupts expectations. Whether it’s an oversized prop, a playful installation, bold color, or an immersive environment, those unexpected details are what make people stop, remember your brand, and maybe even tell someone else about it.

Sometimes all it takes is one prop that pops.