What Is PDQ (Pretty Darn Quick)?

Learn about:

• The Meaning of PDQ

• The Function of PDQ Displays

• PDQ Display Rules

• PDQ Display Exit Strategy

PDQ Meaning

Before the term retail-ready packaging (RRP) became standard, Walmart referred to this process as "PDQ displays," meaning "pretty darn quick." The idea was that brands would package their products so that Walmart stores could shelve them quickly.

Walmart's retail-ready packaging includes both PDQ features/displays and shelf-ready packaging. PDQ features/displays are units that can be unloaded from a truck, put on the sales floor, easily unwrapped, and then ready for customers to shop from. Shelf-ready packaging refers to packaging that can be unloaded from a truck and placed directly on shelves with little effort. 

Initially, Walmart hadn't established specific policies around PDQ displays, but over time, the retailer introduced several rules and design specifications. For suppliers, it's crucial to understand what PDQ means in Walmart's context. These displays must be functional and adhere to Walmart's standards for efficiency, durability, and customer engagement.

By following Walmart's PDQ requirements, suppliers can ensure their products have a strong, ready-to-go presence on the sales floor, maximizing product visibility and ease of stocking.

What is the Function of PDQ Displays?

The concept behind PDQ displays is simple: brands would package their products to allow Walmart stores to display specific products with minimal setup time. These displays are designed to be floor-ready, which allows products to be placed directly on the sales floor, streamlining the stocking process. Positioned in high-traffic areas, PDQ displays enhance product visibility and encourage impulse buying. 

What are the PDQ Display Rules?

Walmart uses PDQ displays to showcase and sell products quickly in the Action Alley, which the retailer strategically places in its stores. PDQ display pallets arrive in the stores fully assembled and stocked for display. As such, suppliers must follow Walmart rules and design specifications to ensure consistency in PDQ display designs.

There are different displays for various merchandise, including stacked trays, display trays, sidekick displays, and end-cap displays. Suppliers must follow design rules to ensure the displays are solid and durable for handling during shipping, movement, and customer interaction.

There are five main areas suppliers should consider when creating PDQ displays:

1. Message Delivery

PDQ displays are designed with prominent messaging at the top to capture attention, guide consumers, and encourage purchases. Suppliers should prioritize clear, concise, and compelling messaging that quickly engages customers and is easy to read from a distance. Pricing and product descriptions should be displayed prominently, conveying value and benefits at a glance. An effective marketing message on a PDQ display is short and impactful, allowing customers to instantly understand the product's value and make a purchase decision.

2. Structural Integrity

PDQ displays are designed to withstand extended time on the sales floor, where they are stacked with merchandise and subject to frequent customer interaction. Therefore, each display must be built with structural integrity to remain sturdy and safe throughout its use. Walmart's specifications for PDQ displays include strict requirements for materials, construction, and safety.

There are several ways to create safe and durable PDQ displays:

• The design should follow Walmart's requirements and measurements, specifically those outlined in Walmart's Secondary Packaging Standards. 

• All designs should maintain safety during the design process and installation.

• Suppliers should ensure the manufacturing process, from materials to assembly, meets supply chain performance needs.

• Suppliers should use hardware approved for safety and effectiveness. In addition, the hardware should increase the strength of the display while simplifying the design.

• Suppliers should test the PDQ display for durability and supply chain life cycle. ISTA testing is necessary for all PDQ displays above 500 pounds.

• Walmart is dedicated to sustainability. As such, suppliers should construct the displays from 100% corrugated materials to align with Walmart's sustainability goals.

• Suppliers must use at least 200# Mullen Board grade for palletized displays.

Related Reading: Walmart Secondary Packaging Guide—Supply Chain Standards

3. Clear Price Impression

To display product prices effectively, suppliers should incorporate a "goal post price sign" above the PDQ displays. The display must securely support this sign without compromising its structural integrity, so suppliers should design the display with a dedicated, well-fitted slot for the pole. Additionally, there should be clear marking on the display, labeled "Insert Goal Post Here," to guide store staff in placing the sign accurately. This small but essential detail ensures that pricing is visible and the display remains sturdy.

4. Inventory Turnover Management

Inventory turnover is a key performance metric that measures how often a store sells its entire inventory within a set timeframe. Retailers calculate this ratio by dividing the cost of goods sold by the average inventory during the same period, offering insights into product sales velocity. For suppliers, understanding inventory turnover helps gauge product demand and determine optimal stock levels.

The goal is to restock inventory at the rate of sales, reducing excess storage. However, maintaining this balance can be challenging, which is why inventory turnover management is essential. Here are some strategies suppliers can use:

• Consider turnover rates before shipping to avoid oversupply.

• Analyze past inventory data by month to identify seasonal demand, using it to improve forecasting accuracy.

• Review top-selling products in each Walmart store to tailor inventory levels for each location.

• Monitor consumer trends to adjust stock levels and keep up with changing demand.

5. Clean Line of Sight

Maintaining order and a clear line of sight in Walmart stores is crucial for a seamless customer experience. PDQ pallet displays should be uniform in height, aligning with Walmart's standards to keep aisles visually organized and accessible. A consistent line of sight creates a tidy, attractive appearance that appeals to shoppers and enhances the store layout.

To support this goal, suppliers should follow Walmart's display specifications, ensuring that all PDQ displays meet the same measurements, no matter the supplier. Displays should be sturdy, with secure bins and trays to prevent products from falling. Suppliers should also avoid any elements that extend into aisles, keeping displays compact and maintaining a neat, unobstructed shopping environment.

What is a PDQ Display Exit Strategy?

Walmart's commitment to sustainability extends to PDQ displays, meaning suppliers should prioritize recyclable materials in their designs whenever possible. To support this mission, PDQ displays should be designed for easy breakdown and reuse. As products sell out, Walmart employees should be able to consolidate displays---starting with multiple pallets, then reducing to one, and finally moving any remaining items to bins on shelves, all while using the same components flexibly.

All display elements, from pallets to trays, should be recyclable to facilitate responsible disposal. Suppliers should provide an exit strategy for displays made from non-corrugated or mixed materials, including proposals for managing disposal costs and handling displays at the end of their life cycle. Walmart will need to approve that the design is sustainable and easy for staff to disassemble when displays are no longer needed.

Get Better with SupplyPike

Deductions and compliance fines are commonplace when selling to any retailer. SupplyPike helps CPG suppliers get paid and get better. Our software tests the validity of deductions, collects proof documentation, and takes disputing a claim down to a few (or zero) clicks.

Schedule a meeting with a team member to find out if SupplyPike is right for your retail business.

Get Connected with SupplierWiki

For more free educational content like this, sign up for our weekly newsletter! We cover material essential for retail suppliers, especially related to revenue loss at Walmart, Amazon, CVS, Target, Kroger, and Home Depot.