Changes are in store, as Co-op ‘taps’ into its new Electronic Shelf Edge Labels to make becoming a member and accessing member benefits and price savings even easier for shoppers
The convenience retailer is committed to creating value for its members and customers, and its new electronic shelf labels in-store invites shoppers to ‘tap to join’, and become a member of Co-op, quickly and easily.
Membership unlocks additional value for Co-op customers, with personalised offers and lower prices on the products shoppers buy most. The Innovative Near Field
Co-op confirmed earlier this year that it had partnered with VusionGroup to replace paper shelf edge labels in store with the new electronic shelf edge labels, a move designed to improve the customer shopping experience, enhance the transparency of product information (such as allergen and nutritional information or country of origin), improve inventory management and cut paper waste associated with traditional shelf labels. Electronic shelf edge labels can also simplify everyday store tasks including stock replenishment and picking online grocery orders.
The labels can also instantly communicate the latest Co-op price savings, deals and savings.
Working with VusionGroup the electronic labels are now seen in over 700 Co-op stores, they are expected to be rolled-out to more than 1600 of the convenience retailer’s stores by the year end, and in all (more than 2,300) of its stores during 2026 – the UK’s widest rollout of this technology.
David Tyas, Co-op’s operations innovation lead, said: “Co-op is committed to continually exploring innovative technology that can improve how we operate – with ease, convenience and the customer experience at the heart of everything we do. 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.”
Roy Horgan, CEO UK & Ireland, VusionGroup, 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.”
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives, with its history dating back more than 180 years. Co-op’s 6.5m members own the business and also play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation – Co-op exists to create value for its membership and communities.
