Southern Co-op has announced that electronic shelf edge labels (ESELs) will be replacing its paper labels across all stores, following a successful 12-month trial.
The new ESELs’ were met with positivity by store staff throughout the trial in 15 stores which began in December 2020.
This will be put into effect towards the end of 2022 and throughout 2023, when all stores will feature the technology manufactured by SoluM, a Samsung invested company and run in partnership with technology integrator, Herbert Retail.
It is estimated that the retailer will save £220,000 in paper and printing each year once the ESELs’ are implemented fully.
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“They make such a difference. We are able to save so much time and, from a wider perspective, I have got the confidence that all the prices are accurate,” The Co-operative Food’s Stockbridge Road, Chichester store manager, Adam Skiller said.
“We used to get through around 40 packs of paper for shelf edge labels a year so that is a huge saving in paper and financially.”
“Replacing all the paper labels – the job always fell to the same people and it is incredibly monotonous. So it does help with morale and it looks clean, tidy and organised.”
Southern Co-op’s retail transformation project lead, Mark Barnett added: “It’s a big investment but it’s worth it as our stores will have increased efficiency, assured pricing and product information, reduced paper wastage and an enhanced store team morale.”
“It means promotions can change over as soon as a store opens its doors. Plus the larger electronic labels can display legal information such as allergens, Think25 messaging, and home delivery options.”
“It is fast, accurate and offers our customers a seamless in store experience.”
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