R E TA I L T E C H N O L O G Y
SOUTHERN CO-OP
Southern Co-op to roll out electronic shelf edge labels
The retailer estimates the technology will save it around £220,000 each year in paper and consumable costs
S
outhern Co-op is to roll out electronic shelf edge labels to all of its stores following a successful trial. The regional, independent co-operative started trialling two different types of electronic shelf edge labels (ESELs) in December 2020 before gradually widening the trial to a total of 15 stores over the past 12 months. Taking into account the demand, the accuracy and the positive feedback, Southern Co-op has agreed to invest further into the technology with a rollout to all of its stores towards the end of 2022 and throughout 2023. Adam Skiller, Store Manager of The Southern Co-op’s Stockbridge Road store in Chichester, which has had the
ESELs for 19 months, said: “We are lucky really that the business is investing, looking forward and exploring how to make tasks easier in the store. 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. “Overall, we really benefit and all the colleagues love it. 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.” It is estimated that around £220,000 will be saved each year in paper and consumable costs such as printing. The technology is manufactured by SoluM, a Samsung-invested company,
and is run in partnership with Cambridge-based technology integrator Herbert Retail. The installation programme was delivered in partnership Scotmid Co-op, which is hoping to complete its ESEL installation programme to all of its stores later this year. Mark Barnett, Southern Co-op’s Retail Transformation Project Lead, said: “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.”
WEDNESDAY 20TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 114/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 17
