Two regional co-operatives at opposite ends of the UK have introduced new electronic shelf labels (ESLs) at their stores.
The SoluM ESLs are being installed at stores run by Scotmid Co-op and Southern Co-op by Cambridge-based technology integrator Herbert Retail.
Both co-operatives said initial trials have already seen increased store efficiency, improved pricing and product information compliance, reduced paper wastage and enhanced store team morale.
“We are always looking at innovation to pick out the solutions that land real benefit for our customers and colleagues,” Allan Robertson, programme manager for innovation and change at Scotmid, said.
“SoluM’s Electronic Shelf Edge Labels look great, transform our stores and present our price and product information more clearly to our customers. Our store teams are really loving this – removing the burden of price and promotion tasks and compliance isn’t just a productivity boost – it’s been a morale boost too.”
Herbert Retail has been working with the co-operatives in a bid to help drive a new value layer at the shelf edge. The integrated technology allows for fast, accurate and confirmed information updates , in terms of critical and accurate retail information such as pricing and promotions.
The two retail co-operatives initially trialled Herbert’s technology in two of their stores and have now extended the deployment to take in 23 stores with further installations being planned across the estate, replacing traditional paper-based shelf edge pricing and promotion labels, in favour of digital screen technology.
The ESLs, which are manufactured by SoluM, a Samsung-invested company, allow the retailers to undertake a roadmap of digital store enhancement.
Paul Sargeant, Southern Co-op’s business information and solutions manager, said: “The new ESLs sit beside our strong and continued commitment to sustainability as well as a drive to offer our customers a seamless in-store experience. It was great to work cooperatively with Scotmid and Herbert to create an offering of mutual benefit for all. The SoluM ESLs from Herbert really enhance the look and feel of the store whilst giving us the ability to highlight extended information to our customers, such as allergens and country of origin information.”
