Sainsbury's set to revolutionise supermarkets with major in-store change
Sainsbury's set to revolutionise supermarkets with major in-store change
The supermarket are trialling the use of new digital features in stores
Sainsbury's are testing whether the change will improve customer experience
(Image: Getty )
Sainsbury's has joined the growing list of UK supermarkets trialling electronic shelf-edge labels (ESLs) in a bid to modernise its stores and boost efficiency. The supermarket giant began quietly testing the digital pricing technology in three of its larger-format stores late last year, including its 'Future Store' in Oxfordshire, which underwent a refit in November 2023.
The move is part of a wider supermarket trend towards ESLs as a means to streamline pricing, cut labour costs, and improve accuracy on the shop floor.
Speaking to The Grocer, a Sainsbury's spokeswoman said: "We are trialling electronic shelf-edge labels in a small number of our stores."
However, the supermarket declined to provide further details on the pilot, which is being closely monitored for both customer experience and back-end efficiency gains.
Industry insiders have revealed that Sainsbury's is testing ESLs across a range of product departments, including beers, wines & spirits, health and general merchandise.
The trials are reportedly assessing both the hardware used to display prices and the potential labour savings that could be achieved through automating price displays, reports the Express.
Article continues below
The new technology should minimise pricing errors
(Image: Getty )
Fixtures specialist Harrison Retail collaborated with Sainsbury's to develop the bespoke shelf fixings needed to support the devices. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here .
The ESL technology itself is believed to be supplied by multiple providers, though neither Sainsbury's nor Harrison Retail shared specific details about the tech partners involved.
This new way of labelling is becoming increasingly popular in the retail sector due to their ability to update pricing in real time, allowing supermarkets to swiftly respond to market changes, minimise pricing errors, and manage promotions more effectively.
Sainsbury's Witney store has been leading the supermarket's trial.
As part of Sainsbury's ongoing programme to modernise store operations and improve customer experience using digital tools, the supermarket has been investing in its 'Future Store' programme.
Article continues below
While it is still uncertain whether Sainsbury's will implement ESLs across its entire estate, these trials reflect a growing trend among UK supermarkets to digitise shelf-edge pricing. Tesco, Morrisons, and Co-op are also known to have conducted similar tests.
For the time being, customers in selected stores may notice the sleek new screens slowing replacing traditional paper tags.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The sneaky service charges adding thousands to YOUR bill and how to fight back
One flat owner says he regrets his investment where he now pays £5,300 per year in charges FEE PAIN The sneaky service charges adding thousands to YOUR bill and how to fight back Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of people living in leasehold properties are being hit with spiralling service charge fees - but there is a way to fight back. Almost five million homeowners pay service fees, which have risen 11% in the last year to an average of £2,300 per month, according to Hamptons. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Soaring service charge fees and delays to legislation has left leaseholders out of pocket Credit: Getty Some leaseholders have seen charges sky rocket, making it unaffordable and tricky to sell their home. While others have been hit by unfair charges. The government has planned to reform the system - but there are delays. This week JAMES FLANDERS explains how to challenge unfair charges. SOARING FEES Service charges are a fee paid by a leaseholder or resident set by a landlord. The amount varies each year depending on costs to the landlord. They can include charges for maintenance, repairs and insurance. The details are usually set out in your lease. The fee is usually set on what the landlord thinks they will spend. At the end of year the landlord should provide a statement. Detail of world's tallest apartment block revealed - including price of penthouses Some leases allow landlords to ask for contributions towards a "sinking fund" to build up reserves for future larger scale works. David Fell, lead analyst at Hamptons, said: "Both buyers and mortgage lenders have become increasingly cautious about committing to high service charge costs, particularly where they perceive charges to be disproportionate to the amenities they get in return. "As a result, would-be sellers paying high charges have often seen the value of their homes rise more slowly or even fall. "In some cases, sellers are offering potential buyers a cash contribution towards future service charge payments." 3 Service fees have rocketed over the past five years, particularly in the North of England UNFAIR CHARGES Some leaseholders have found that they are being charged unfair fees. Tribunal judges have made some landlords pay back up to £100,000. In one example, they ruled that a £135 fee to change two light bulbs was excessive. In February 2023, it was revealed that landlords and insurance brokers were secretly taking up to 60% of the £1.6billion leaseholders paid for building insurance as hidden commissions. New rules now stop insurance companies from choosing policies just to earn the highest commission, helping leaseholders get better value. But brokers and managing agents are still allowed to take commissions. The government has promised to ban excessive building insurance commissions through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. Instead, landlords will only be able to charge a straightforward and fair "permitted insurance fee" for the work they actually do, making costs clearer and protecting leaseholders from hidden charges. However, these proposed laws still need further legislation to come into effect, and the government hasn't yet provided a timetable for this. New rules planned by the government also plan to introduce commonhold agreements to replace leasehold ones. Commonhold allows flat owners to jointly own and manage their buildings, cutting out landlords and property management companies. But the proposed rules only apply to new homes. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing said they know "far too many leaseholders" are being hit with "unreasonable and extortionate charges". A draft of the bill is expected later this year but leaseholders may have to wait months before it becomes law. 3 Leaseholders can challenge costs if they feel they are unreasonable, or if the standard of work is poor Credit: Getty HOW TO CHALLENGE FEES Leaseholders have a legal right within six months of receiving a summary of costs to request extra information from their landlord. You can challenge a cost if you think it's unreasonable, the standard of work is poor or you don't think you should be paying it. For example, you might question a fee for lift maintenance if you live in a ground-floor flat and it's not included in your lease. Or you could challenge charges for communal services, like a gym that's always closed or a concierge service that doesn't have staff. You will need to apply to a tribunal which has the power to rule on whether the service charge is reasonable or payable. In England this is the first-tier tribunal (property chamber). In Wales it's the leasehold valuation tribunal. Applying to the tribunal usually costs a fixed fee of £110, though this may be waived if you're on certain benefits. If your case is transferred from court to the tribunal, you'll only pay the difference between the court fees and the tribunal fee - or nothing if you've already paid more than £110 in court fees. If a hearing is scheduled, you'll need to pay an additional £220 hearing fee. Speak to the Leasehold Advisory Service online at or call them on 020 7832 2500 to find out more and get free advice on service charge issues. You could also apply to the Housing Ombudsman if you have a complaint about how your service charge fees have been managed. It says cases have jumped by 25 per cent in the last four years. If you're finding it hard to pay your service charges, there's support available. If you're on Universal Credit and have been receiving it for at least nine months, you could get help with your service charges if you own a leasehold property. People over the state pension age can also get support through pension credit. £5.3k charge but I waited months for vital repairs LAWYER Liam Spender, 41, thought he'd bought his dream home when he purchased his £591,000 two-bed flat six years ago. But within months it had turned into a nightmare. "I regret buying it to this day," said Liam, who lives in the Isle of Dogs, east London. Initially he paid a £4,200 a year service charge but it has rocketed to £5,300 in just four years - a 26% increase. A huge chunk of his bill - over £1,200 a year - was for buildings insurance, according to Liam. Yet, despite paying so much, Liam had to wait months for repairs after part of his flat's floor collapsed. To make matters worse, he discovered £300 of the insurance fee was being taken as commission by his landlord and their broker. In 2021, Liam teamed up with 103 homeowners in his building block and applied to the property tribunal. A few days before the case their landlord conceded and awarded the homeowners £100,000 in backdated commission payments. It meant that Liam got £300 back, while his neighbours in larger properties received significantly more. "There are millions of people like me in the same boat and they are owed money they don't even know about", said Liam, who has since founded Leaseholder Action to help other people being hit with secret commission fees. RIGHT TO MANAGE If you don't get anywhere by approaching your management company, you could take over managing the charges yourself via Right to Manage. It is a legal process where leasehold residents in flats can take over managing the maintenance and services. To do this, enough long-leaseholders (those with leases originally over 21 years) need to get together and form an RTM company. It costs £50 to set up a company and takes 24 hours to register. You then need to serve notice to the freeholder of the development - the person who owns the land - letting them know you are taking over the right to manage. They then have one month to dispute this. The government is also planning to remove the requirement for leaseholders to cover the landlords expenses during the process, which will save homeowners around £3,000. It's also not allowed if there are four or fewer flats and a landlord lives in the building. It could help you cut out management fee costs and charges for unnecessary work - but you will be responsible for the company and annual reporting. Unless one of you is trained in these areas you may need to take on an accountant or managing agent. Applications to set up RTM companies rose by 20% last year, according to Direct Line.
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Ange Postecoglou SACKED by Tottenham despite finally ending Spurs' 17-year trophy drought with Europa League triumph
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ANGE POSTECOGLOU has been sacked by Tottenham despite ending the club's 17-year trophy drought, it's understood. Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao to lift the Europa League last month - sparking incredible scenes, both at San Mames and back home at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Ange Postecoglou lifts the Europa League trophy Credit: GETTY 8 Postecoglou hugs chairman Daniel Levy following the Europa League final Credit: GETTY 8 The Aussie remained popular with several players in his squad Credit: GETTY Postecoglou, 59, vowed after the match that he wanted to stay at Spurs, insisting his work was not "complete". Nevertheless, chairman Daniel Levy has decided to end the Aussie's reign, with the club's dire Premier League form costing Postecoglou his job. Tottenham finished the season with a 4-1 home defeat by Brighton that left them 17th in the table with 38 points - their worst in Prem history. They fell six points short of their previous worst points tally of 44 in 1997-98. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL FIRST XI How Premier League could boast 11 teams in Europe with SEVEN in Champions League Postecoglou's record in two years at Spurs reads 47 wins from 101 games, with a win percentage of 47 per cent. As SunSport reported Fabio Paratici is to return to Tottenham as managing director and will play a key role in finding the club's next manager. The Italian, 52, was the club's managing director of football between 2021 and 2023, before being forced to resign in April 2023 after being hit with a two-and-a-half-year worldwide ban by Fifa due to financial malpractice at previous club Juventus. Paratici is thought to be a fan of former Ajax boss Francesco Farioli. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 8 Postecoglou delivered on his silverware promise Credit: GETTY Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner are all thought to be in the frame. Postecoglou's reign began amid a wave of optimism in North London. Tottenham fans PARTY through the night in Bilbao after Europa League triumph He arrived at Tottenham in June 2023, having been poached from Celtic where he won back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles. Postecoglou had initially appeared to be a breath of fresh air following the miserable reigns of Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte. His tenure began in style as Tottenham made the club's best-ever start to a Premier League season. 8 Postecoglou celebrates with his jubilant players in Bilbao Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK 8 The Aussie, 59, claps the travelling Tottenham supporters Credit: GETTY 8 Spurs won eight and drew two of their first ten Premier League games despite the exit of club icon and record scorer Harry Kane on the eve of Postecoglou's first match in charge. They were top of the table until a crazy 4-1 home defeat by Chelsea and a slew of injuries in late October triggered a steady decline in form. Tottenham finished fifth following a dismal end to the campaign, but many fans still felt optimistic about Postecoglou's tenure. However, Spurs struggled with a long list of injuries this season and despite a landmark 4-0 win over champions Man City at the Etihad in November, they were frustratingly fragile domestically. Following the City thrashing, Spurs won just one Premier League game in the next 71 days - and that was against Southampton - before eventually ending their barren run at Brentford in January. 'QUE SERA, SERA' Postecoglou pleaded for patience amid a heavy injury crisis across the winter months. And with his first choice defence and front line restored, he was able to guide Spurs to Europa League glory. Following the final, Postecoglou said: "I would be disappointed if we don't continue on this path. "It is difficult to buy into one person's vision. I have been a serial winner. I know people dismiss what I have won because it didn't happen here, but they were hard earned. "There is huge relief. You carry the weight of responsibility and 150 times I have been a spokesman for this club. "There are no planned meetings. I'll go back to my hotel room with friends and family, open up a nice bottle of scotch, a massive parade on Friday, game on Sunday against Brighton and then holiday. Then que sera, sera." Postecoglou added: "I know our league form has been unacceptable, but coming third was not going to change this football club, winning a trophy would, that was my ambition and I was prepared to wear it if it did not happen. "People kept reminding me of it because we were getting closer but I'm happy with that."
Wales Online
12 hours ago
- Wales Online
Sainsbury's set to revolutionise supermarkets with major in-store change
Sainsbury's set to revolutionise supermarkets with major in-store change The supermarket are trialling the use of new digital features in stores Sainsbury's are testing whether the change will improve customer experience (Image: Getty ) Sainsbury's has joined the growing list of UK supermarkets trialling electronic shelf-edge labels (ESLs) in a bid to modernise its stores and boost efficiency. The supermarket giant began quietly testing the digital pricing technology in three of its larger-format stores late last year, including its 'Future Store' in Oxfordshire, which underwent a refit in November 2023. The move is part of a wider supermarket trend towards ESLs as a means to streamline pricing, cut labour costs, and improve accuracy on the shop floor. Speaking to The Grocer, a Sainsbury's spokeswoman said: "We are trialling electronic shelf-edge labels in a small number of our stores." However, the supermarket declined to provide further details on the pilot, which is being closely monitored for both customer experience and back-end efficiency gains. Industry insiders have revealed that Sainsbury's is testing ESLs across a range of product departments, including beers, wines & spirits, health and general merchandise. The trials are reportedly assessing both the hardware used to display prices and the potential labour savings that could be achieved through automating price displays, reports the Express. Article continues below The new technology should minimise pricing errors (Image: Getty ) Fixtures specialist Harrison Retail collaborated with Sainsbury's to develop the bespoke shelf fixings needed to support the devices. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here . The ESL technology itself is believed to be supplied by multiple providers, though neither Sainsbury's nor Harrison Retail shared specific details about the tech partners involved. This new way of labelling is becoming increasingly popular in the retail sector due to their ability to update pricing in real time, allowing supermarkets to swiftly respond to market changes, minimise pricing errors, and manage promotions more effectively. Sainsbury's Witney store has been leading the supermarket's trial. As part of Sainsbury's ongoing programme to modernise store operations and improve customer experience using digital tools, the supermarket has been investing in its 'Future Store' programme. Article continues below While it is still uncertain whether Sainsbury's will implement ESLs across its entire estate, these trials reflect a growing trend among UK supermarkets to digitise shelf-edge pricing. Tesco, Morrisons, and Co-op are also known to have conducted similar tests. For the time being, customers in selected stores may notice the sleek new screens slowing replacing traditional paper tags.
