Are Sponsored Collectible Shelf Endcaps At Big Box Retailers Becoming A Thing?!?

[JayC]

This isn't meant to really be a criticism but more of just an observation in the world of action figures and collectibles. I have noticed at Walmart stores this trend more and more of having sponsored collectible endcaps at their physical stores. I first noticed this with NECA's recent Horror Shop thing they are doing with Walmart which appears to be sponsored by the Horror themed news website Bloody Disgusting.
 

And while that was a fairly recent thing, I am now (Thanks to Billy for the heads up) seeing another type of sponsored endcap from NETFLIX.

Now I have no clue what it costs to sponsor something like this and if it encourages retailers to carry and better stock collectibles and action figures at their stores, then I would say this is a good thing. I also have little doubt that if this move by Walmart to essentially turn their shelves into advertisements for sponsors proves profitable, we will start seeing other stores doing the same thing.

[Frozentenderloin]

I just saw the bloody disgusting display at Walmart for the first time a couple days ago. I thought it was cool. The collectibles section at most of the Walmart in my area tend to be a bit sparse as far stock concerns, so like you said, maybe this will help get more product onto the sales floor.

[Roadpigmaster]

I will pay attention I go next time to my local Walmart about this... For a moment by the pictures I thought it was Target electronics section that I seen kind of similar stuff like this around the video game area...️

[Shrief]

Fingers crossed  

[RickytheRockstar]

the Netflix display has been at my Walmart since last year, i first saw it full once and then never again lol

[MattKayser]

I've worked retail for over 25 years. Encaps are often paid for by companies to push their products. My guess is that we're just now seeing NECA get into that game.