Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Business
Anna Wise

Supermarket giant to bring in digital price tags across hundred of stores

Empty fruit and vegetable shelves at an Asda in east London - (Yui Mok/PA Wire)

Supermarket chain Asda is set to equip 250 of its Express convenience stores with digital price tags, enabling electronic price changes across shelves.

The retailer follows in the footsteps of others, such as Lidl and Currys, who have already adopted electronic shelf-edge labels (ESLs) in their shops.

Around 2,800 individual labels will be added, Asda confirmed, meaning staff will no longer need to manually replace pricing in stores.

The technology, powered by retail technology firm VusionGroup, also helps display allergen information through QR codes, as well as displaying the cost, weight and unit price of products.

The grocer said the change will free up time for its store workers, such as to help customers, manage deliveries and restock shelves.

It is understood that Asda has no plans to reduce staffing as a result of the rollout, nor introduce “dynamic pricing” – which enables businesses to raise or lower prices in real-time in response to demand.

Joseph Sutton, Asda Express’s vice president, said: “We’re continuing to invest in enhancing our stores, and the launch of cutting-edge technology across our Express estate is proof of this.

“By streamlining our instore operations, we can free up our colleagues to focus on what they do best – serving our customers.”

Asda is opening up to 20 new convenience stores before the end of the year.

The grocer has been pushing forward with a major turnaround strategy which has included cutting the prices of a range of products in a bid to attract more cash-strapped shoppers.

Digital price tag technology has been introduced by the likes of Lidl, Co-op and Currys across UK stores.

Co-op has also used the technology to direct shoppers to its membership webpage when they tap the label with their mobile phone.

Last week Tesco said it is showing no signs of “losing its grip” as the UK’s biggest supermarket – despite battling an persistent price war and a plethora of higher business costs, experts say.

Tesco revealed its group sales rose by 4.6% in its first quarter, compared with the prior year, having been boosted by growing demand for own-brand and premium products.

It has been steadily growing its share of the UK grocery market – picking up 0.8 percentage points over the past year to 28.4%, according to the latest analysis by Worldpanel by Numerator.

Meanwhile, its biggest rivals Sainsbury’s and Asda have seen their share of the market edge lower, while German discounters Aldi and Lidl continue to gain customers.

Tesco’s shares have soared to their highest price in more than a decade amid the strengthening performance.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.