The Co-operative Group (‘Co-op’) has partnered with VusionGroup (VU – FR0010282822) to replace paper shelf edge labels in store with electronic shelf edge labels, a move designed to improve the customer shopping experience, enhance the transparency of product information, cut paper waste and simplify everyday tasks including picking online grocery orders.
The convenience retailer is working with VusionGroup, the global leader in digitalisation solutions for commerce, to roll-out the innovative technology across its near 2,400 stores.
The electronic labels will enhance clear, accurate and transparent product information available to customers, can display vital allergen information, nutritional information, country of origin or whether an item is produced locally. It can also support improved inventory management, while eliminating the paper waste associated with traditional paper labels.
The labels can also instantly communicate Co-op member price savings, deals and savings.
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. 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.”
“We are immensely proud of this strategic partnership. Co-op’s values align closely with our own, and this collaboration exemplifies how technology can foster sustainability and improve the in-store experience of customers and colleagues. 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 on the communities it serves whilst enabling greater agility to react quicker to ever-changing market dynamics and customer needs”, said Roy Horgan, CEO UK & Ireland – VusionGroup.
“Our partnership with Co-op marks a major step for VusionGroup in the UK and Ireland region. We are proud of the growing customer base we have built here since 2015. We look forward to continuing helping physical retailers achieve their digital transformation in UK and Ireland”, said Sébastien Fourcy, SEVP EMEA – VusionGroup.
Future applications of the technology include simplifying everyday operational tasks and increasing operational agility. With the electronic labels able to ‘flash’, they can show colleagues where items should be placed when stocking shelves. Plus, as Co-op stores act as fulfilment hubs in the local community for its market leading Quick Commerce operation, the technology could highlight items required for a customer’s online grocery order, making picking orders quicker and easier, supporting Co-op’s online convenience growth ambitions.
The technology is expected to be deployed to around 1,500 stores by the end of this year, and to all Co-op stores by the end of 2026.
