British co-operative group Co-op has revealed plans to deploy electronic shelf-edge labels (ESELs) across over 1,600 of its convenience stores by the end of the year, as part of efforts to enhance the shopping experience.
The expansion will continue, aiming to equip all its 2,300-plus stores with this technology by 2026, marking the largest implementation of such technology in the UK, stated the retailer.
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This initiative is set to simplify membership sign-ups and provide instant access to benefits and price savings.
Currently, over 700 Co-op stores feature the electronic labels.
The ESELs use near field communication (NFC) technology, enabling shoppers to ‘tap to join’ Co-op’s membership directly through their mobile phones.
Co-op Operations Innovation lead David Tyas said: “The electronic labels not only have the potential to enhance product information and transparency, avoid paper waste, and improve ways of working, they can also enhance the shopping experience and make it easier for customers to become a Co-op member and start to benefit from member price savings, promotions and deals, and save on a wide range of everyday essentials.”
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By GlobalDataEarlier this year, Co-op announced its partnership with VusionGroup to transition from paper shelf edge labels to electronic versions.
The electronic labels facilitate store operations, such as stock replenishment and online order picking, and instantly update customers on the latest Co-op price savings and deals.
VusionGroup UK & Ireland CEO Roy Horgan said: “We are proud to be partnering with the Co-op to give UK customers access to the benefits of electronic shelf labels and technology for the physical store.
“Co-op’s innovative use of NFC tags to seamlessly link customers to the benefits of membership directly from the shelf is just one demonstration of how this technology can transform the retail experience. With other applications across the supply chain and customer journey – for customers and associates – this rollout is an important step in what we expect will be a broader industry transformation.”
