Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a merchandise display assembly for use in retail stores and, more particularly, to a display unit which is easy to assemble, attractive in appearance and low in cost to manufacture and use. The present invention provides a display unit containing a base structure, canopy structure and slotted tubing for vertical placement between said base and canopy structures, with the base and canopy structures being made of wood, or other materials, and containing metal sockets for receipt of the respective ends of the vertical tubes. The metal sockets are installed in both the base and canopy structures in precise spatial relationships to provide for vertical alignment of the base and canopy structures when the tubes are inserted into the corresponding metal sockets on the base and canopy structures. Usually four tubes of equal dimensions are used, requiring four metal sockets in the base structure and four metal sockets on the canopy structure.