Latest news with #ESLs
Daily Record
17 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Sainsbury's announces huge change to shelves that customers may notice soon
Co-op are also due to implement the change by next year. Sainsbury's supermarkets have announced a major change that shoppers may soon notice on store shelves. The classic British supermarket has become the latest grocer to trial electronic shelf-edge labels (ESLs) in an aim to modernise its stores and improve operational efficiency. ESLs offer retailers the opportunity to update their prices in real time, which aims to reduce pricing errors and better manage promotional offers. For those who work in supermarkets, it will also save time, as paper labels will no longer need to be manually changed by staff. Speaking to the Grocer, a Sainsbury's spokesperson said that the store was trialling electronic shelf-edge labels in a small number of stores. However, they refused to share any further details on the pilot, which is being monitored for both customer experience and back-end efficiency gains. It has not yet been confirmed exactly which or how many stores will be taking place in the ESL trial, but Sainsbury's customers may soon notice the new digital labels while browsing the supermarket. The retailer began trialling the new electronic labels across three of its larger-format stores last year, including in its 'Future Store' in Witney, Oxfordshire, which was refitted in November 2023, the Express reports. The change comes as part of Sainsbury's 'Future Store' programme, which aims to modernise the supermarket's store operations and improve customer experience using digital tools. Sainsbury's is testing ESLs across a variety of its product categories, including beers, wines & spirits, health products and general merchandise, according to industry sources. The trials are said to be testing both the hardware used to display prices as well as evaluating the potential labour savings that could come from automated pricing updates. The retailer follows a number of other major UK supermarkets that have made the move towards using electronic labels in stores. Co-op recently also announced plans to add electronic labels to all of its 2,400 stores by next year. Co-op head of operations Steven Logue said: "With convenience at the heart of everything we do, Co-op is committed to continually exploring innovative technology that can improve how we operate. "The electronic labels have the potential to enhance product information and transparency, avoid paper waste, and make everyday tasks like picking online orders easier." Co-op recently fell victim to cyber attacks, along with M&S, which left store shelves empty. The chain was forced to shut down IT systems and slow deliveries after hackers attacked their servers. During the attack, the cyber criminals breached IT networks and stole customer and employee data. They claimed to have the private details of 20 million customers in Co-op's membership scheme. Although shelves were widely empty, the store has since recovered from the incident. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Metro
2 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Sainsbury's aisle change could signal end of an era for classic shopping feature
We've seen a number of changes being tested in supermarkets of late – from Tesco adding locked security cabinets to the introduction of Scan & Shop devices that let you skip the checkouts completely. Many of these have prompted strong reactions from shoppers, with some baffled and others downright 'horrified' feeling like 'big brother' is watching them. The most recent change being trialed shops isn't likely to cause such a fuss though, although it could signal the end of a classic supermarket feature. Retailers across the UK are trying out new electronic shelf-edge labels (ESLs), with Sainsbury's being the latest to give them a go. Sainsbury's is believed to have installed the new electronic labels in several of its bigger stores, across items such as wine, beer, spirits and health products. The technology allows staff to update prices for products remotely on a computer, removing the need to use traditional paper price labels and replace them each time a price goes up or down. According to The Grocer, the new electronic labels are currently being trialed in the Witney store in Oxfordshire. This is one of the company's 'Future Stores' in which they test new aisle and display formats as well as different technology. Another of its kind can be found at Kiln Lane in Epsom, Surrey. The Epsom store was renovated in November 2024 and is known as a 'Destination Plus' supermarket as it stocks the retailer's entire range of food, general merchandise and clothing, as such it's a store that people travel for miles to get to. Speaking about the new labels, a Sainsbury's spokeswoman confirmed they were being 'trialed […] in a number of stores' but they didn't share any other information on them. Sainsbury's isn't the only retailer opting to give ESLs a go, as several other supermarkets have also recently trialed them, including Asda, Waitrose, Co-op and Company Shop. ESLs aren't new as the first systems launched more than 30 years ago and supermarkets have trialed them before, but they've never stuck. Tesco was set to roll them out back in 2017, but ended up not going ahead with this, and Sainsbury's also previously tested digital pricing displays in 2015 in a bid to see if they could cut the use of paper and automatically update prices, and some were tested last year in three stores to discover the impact they would have. Now they are once again being considered for use around the UK as executives believe they could prove more efficient and help cut costs. More Trending It's not clear yet what will happen with ESLs, but if supermarkets were to move ahead with using them in future, it would signal the end of an era for paper labels, which have been a feature in aisles for decades. And it won't be the only supermarket feature that will have been axed after a long time, as barcodes also look set to disappear after being used for 50 years. GS1, the world's only authorised provider of Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) believes barcodes will soon be replaced with pixel-based QR codes instead. Anne Godfrey, chief executive of GS1 UK, claims almost half of British retailers have already updated their checkouts to prepare for the use of QR codes. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: 'Mouth-watering' chocolate brand that disappeared from supermarkets five years ago is back MORE: Tesco launches major new Clubcard bonus — but shoppers need to act fast MORE: Jaffa Cakes unveil brand new flavour — but fans say 'not a chance'
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Business
- 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.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SOLUM Expands Production Capacity and Accelerates Retail Digitalization Across North America
SOLUM Expands Production Capacity and Accelerates Retail Digitalization Across North America SEOUL, South Korea, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SOLUM, a global leader in electronic shelf labels (ESL) and digital retail solutions, is strengthening its global leadership by scaling production and securing key wins across major retail markets. As demand for smart retail technology continues to rise, SOLUM is emerging as a core enabler of retail digital transformation worldwide. In April 2025, SOLUM's Vietnam manufacturing facility shipped a record 6.26 million ESL units, the highest monthly volume since the site's inception. Production value reached KRW 59.6 billion, marking a 33% increase year-over-year. In May, the company expects shipments to exceed 7 million units, with production value approaching KRW 100 billion—a milestone that could mark the plant's highest monthly performance to date. This output growth is the result of long-term investment in production automation. Since 2020, SOLUM has introduced multi-phase automation lines for ESL performance testing. Its flagship Newton 2.9-inch model is now fully automated, and semi-automated lines have been optimized to further increase output. Despite a 27% reduction in workforce compared to the 2022 average, per-person productivity has improved, supported by tighter quality control. As of 2024, defect rates dropped to 18 ppm, well below industry norms. _____________________ North America: Demonstrating ESL Value in High-Volume Grocery Chains SOLUM has firmly established its North American presence by supplying ESLs to more than 1,000 stores operated by Canada's largest retail group. The implementation has been particularly impactful in grocery environments where product turnover and price variability demand real-time responsiveness. SOLUM's ESL system supports dynamic pricing, automated markdowns, and simultaneous display of member and promotional pricing across thousands of SKUs. 'ESLs deliver their highest value in complex environments like grocery stores, where frequent price changes and high operational demands are the norm. Our partnership with Canada's largest retailer represents a turning point in the region's digital transformation. We're aiming for a 70% market share in Canada's ESL segment,' noted CW Ahn, CEO of SOLUM America. To support this growth, SOLUM has established a local sales entity in Canada and is expanding its technical and sales teams. The company recently signed a new contract with one of Canada's Top 3 grocery groups, further enhancing its leadership in the region. The company's North America lead stated, 'We're evolving from a hardware vendor into a solution partner. Beyond large enterprise clients, our long-term vision includes empowering small and mid-sized retailers to adopt ESL through a SaaS-based platform. Our organizational growth reflects this shift toward platform-driven retail technology.' _____________________ Platform-Led Leadership in Smart Retail As global demand for digital retail solutions accelerates, SOLUM continues to lead through a powerful combination of manufacturing scale, premium quality, and technology integration. Its Newton ESL lineup supports full product customization, while upcoming solutions—including BLE-based trace tags and handheld terminals—will offer retailers greater operational control and visibility. These initiatives mark SOLUM's evolution from a hardware supplier to a platform-based smart retail partner. 'SOLUM isn't just following global retail trends—we're helping shape them,' said Steve Jun, Head of ESL Division, at SOLUM. 'With proven success across North America and Europe, we're committed to delivering intelligent, future-ready solutions that drive the next phase of retail innovation.' A photo accompanying this announcement is available at CONTACT: For media inquiries: solum@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Co-op advances retail tech with VusionGroup's smart labels
British co-operative Co-op has initiated a collaboration with digitalisation solutions provider VusionGroup to transition to electronic shelf-edge labels (ESLs) across its stores. The retailer will implement the technology in 1,500 stores by the end of 2025 and extend it to all its locations by the end of 2026. The initiative enhances customer experience, providing more transparent product information while reducing paper waste. ESLs offer customers clear and accurate product details, including allergen and nutritional information, country of origin and local production status. The labels also contribute to better inventory management and eliminate the environmental impact of paper label waste. The new system enables instant updates on Co-op member discounts and promotional offers. Co-op operations head Steven Logue stated: 'With convenience at the heart of everything we do, Co-op is committed to continually exploring innovative technology that can improve how we operate. The electronic labels have the potential to enhance product information and transparency, avoid paper waste and make everyday tasks like picking online orders easier – improving ways of working, supporting our growth ambitions and enhancing the shopping experience for our members and customers.' The electronic labels comes with the ability to flash, assisting staff in identifying where products should be placed during restocking. The technology could expedite the process of gathering items for online grocery orders as Co-op stores serve as local hubs for its leading quick commerce operations. VusionGroup UK & Ireland CEO Roy Horgan stated: 'Co-op's rollout demonstrates its ongoing commitment to invest in physical stores which play a valuable role on UK high streets, making a positive impact in the communities it serves whilst enabling greater agility to react quicker to ever-changing market dynamics and customer needs.' In March 2025, Co-op renewed its partnership with Uber Eats for an additional three years up to 2027, continuing a collaboration which began in 2022. "Co-op advances retail tech with VusionGroup's smart labels" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
