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Scotsman
an hour ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Sainsbury's trials digital price labels in shops and stores
Shoppers could soon see prices change live on the shelves 👋 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Sainsbury's is trialling electronic shelf-edge labels in select larger stores across the UK The digital tags allow real-time price updates and could pave the way for dynamic pricing Items like alcohol and health products are among the first to feature the new labels The move follows similar trials by Asda, Waitrose, Morrisons, Lidl, and the Co-op Supporters say the system improves efficiency, reduces paper waste, and boosts transparency A major UK supermarket may be quietly ringing in the end of paper price tags, as it joins a growing list of retailers trialling electronic shelf-edge labels - a change that could pave the way for real-time, Uber-style pricing. Sainsbury's has rolled out the digital price tags in select larger stores as part of a limited trial. The new labels have appeared on items like beers, wines, spirits, and health products. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Powered by a wireless network, the technology allows prices to be updated remotely at the click of a button - replacing the age-old manual process of swapping out paper tickets. (Photo:) | Getty Images Is dynamic pricing coming? The small digital displays show product prices and information, and unlike static paper tags, they're linked to a central database and can be updated wirelessly - instantly and accurately. This marks more than just a convenience for staff. The system opens the door to dynamic pricing, where costs could rise or fall in real time based on demand - similar to how ride-hailing apps operate during peak hours. Sainsbury's has partnered with specialist firm Harrison Retail to create new shelf fixings designed to house the sleek displays. A spokesperson confirmed the trial to The Grocer, adding there was "nothing further" to share at this stage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The supermarket joins rivals Asda, Waitrose, Morrisons, and Lidl, who are all exploring similar upgrades. The Co-op is leading the charge, announcing plans to roll out digital labels across its entire network of 2,400 stores by the end of 2026. Its head of operations, Steven Logue, highlighted the environmental and operational benefits: "The electronic labels have the potential to enhance product information and transparency, avoid paper waste, and make online order picking easier.' Lidl has echoed the eco-friendly promise, estimating a potential saving of 206 tonnes of carbon annually by reducing paper, packaging, and ink use. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Daily Record
a day 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'.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Sainsbury's change may eventually mark end of an era for shoppers
A pilot is being trialled at a small number of stores as Sainsbury's begins using a system Asda, Co-op, Morrisons and Waitrose are also employing Sainsbury's shoppers could be starting to see the end of an era for a classic supermarket symbol. The retailer is experimenting with new electronic labels to make it easier to change the price. The supermarket chain has reportedly installed the technology in some of its larger stores on items such as beers, wines, spirits and health products in a new trial. Electronic shelf-edge labels allow staff to remotely update prices via computer, eliminating the need to manually replace traditional paper tickets. This also paves the way for dynamic pricing, where prices can fluctuate at the last minute when demand spikes, a strategy seen in apps like Uber. Sainsbury's teamed up with specialist fixtures firm Harrison Retail to create the shelf fixings where the devices will be installed. It was understood that the Witney branch in Oxfordshire was among the first to test the new labels. "We are trialling electronic shelf-edge labels in a small number of our stores," a Sainsbury's spokesperson confirmed to The Grocer. When pressed by the Mirror for more details about the rollout, the chain stated there was "nothing further" to add to what had already been reported. Sainsbury's has become the latest addition to a growing list of retailers trialling electronic shelf-edge labels, joining the ranks of Asda, Waitrose, and Morrisons. This development follows closely on the heels of the Co-op's announcement to swap traditional paper shelf tickets for digital ones across all its branches by the end of 2026, with 1,500 stores set to adopt the new technology by the end of this year. Steven Logue, the Co-op's head of operations, said: "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." READ MORE: Blackbird crisis: UK residents with gardens urged to take action amid rising Usutu virus cases READ MORE: 'I started turning my driveway into a garden - then a neighbour came round' Lidl also revealed plans to introduce electronic shelf-edge labels last year, following a successful pilot in 35 stores. The budget-friendly retailer claimed that implementing this system would lead to significant environmental benefits, including saving over "206 tonnes of carbon annually through paper and packaging reductions, while ink usage will also be drastically minimised". What are electronic shelf-edge labels? Electronic shelf-edge labels are tags that display product prices digitally and enable price changes to be made remotely from a separate location. According to tech specialists the Barcode Warehouse, the devices are "typically connected via wireless networks, allowing for instantaneous price changes and information updates from a central database or control system". The technology was pioneered in the 1990s and has since been embraced by retailers across Europe and North America. However, it hasn't quite taken off in the UK market, with Tesco halting a complete rollout in 2017 because it claimed "there was nothing new to say" about the technology. Nevertheless, the Barcode Warehouse says shoppers are the real winners when it comes to electronic labels. Its website states: "With real-time price updates, customers can trust that the prices they see are accurate and up-to-date, reducing confusion and improving satisfaction. "Additionally, [they] can display detailed product information, helping customers make informed purchasing decisions."
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Big supermarket chain to make major change across all 2,400 stores – but it will leave shoppers divided
A HUGE supermarket chain is set to make a major change across its nearly 2,400 stores - but it will leave shoppers divided. Co-op is replacing paper product tags with electronic labels throughout its whole estate over the coming months. The retailer has already made the change in 340 branches but will roll out the tags more widely. The chain said 1,500 stores will have the labels by the end of the year and will be rolled out across all its nearly 2,400 by the end of 2026. We have asked Co-op if all labels will be replaced with electronic ones in stores and will update this story when we've heard back. The electronic labels are designed and created by VusionGroup, which also works with Asda. Steven Logue, Co-op's head of operations, 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." Co-op said the new electronic labels will show allergen and nutritional information and products' country of origin, as well as deals and savings. It said they will also reduce paper waste and "enhance the transparency of product information" overall. However, the move to digitise the labels across its store estate is bound to leave shoppers divided. Fears have previously been raised the use of electronic labels could lead to "dynamic pricing" - when prices are raised based on customer demand. The labels can make it harder for shoppers to spot cut-price items too, as they're not as visible as the paper yellow, orange or red stickers well-known by bargain hunters. Shopping discounts - How to make savings and find the best bargains Co-op joins a host of other supermarkets who have launched electronic labels in stores. Lidl said it would roll out the digital labels across all its stores before the end of 2024 following a successful trial at 35 branches. Fellow discounter Aldi has already introduced digital screens in its stores. Meanwhile, Asda is currently the digital labels at a store in Manchester. OTHER CO-OP NEWS Co-op was one of a number of retailers hit by a cyber attack recently which saw supermarket stock and customer data affected. However, by May 14, the supermarket chain confirmed it was in a "recovery phase" and ready to turn online orders back on. Customers had been complaining of shortages of fresh produce, ready meals, yoghurts and confectionery since the incident began at the end of April. The attack also pushed contactless card payments offline in nearly one in 10 stores, forcing customers to pay with cash or enter their PINs at the till. The retailer also confirmed customers' private details were stolen during the attack after its IT systems were compromised. Some customers' names, contact information and dates of birth were exposed, however passwords, credit card details and transaction information were not. Meanwhile, last month, Co-op shoppers started spotting new labels on meat packaging stating they were "protected by GPS". The security measures were taken in a bid to track thieves stealing the higher-priced items from stores. How to bag a bargain SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain… Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with. Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks. Sales are when you can pick up a real steal. Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on. Sign up to mailing lists and you'll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use and are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer. Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping. Bargain hunters can also use B&M's scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out. And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you'll get some of your money back or a discount on the item. .
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
