An integral part of modernizing physical stores, Vusion Group leads the charge with its innovative digitalization solutions for commerce. The company pioneers the technology behind the digital price tags, or Electronic Shelf Labels, you increasingly see in supermarkets. This system allows Esl Retail businesses to instantly and accurately update prices, promotions, and product information across an entire store. The global Electronic Shelf Labels market, valued at USD 2.34 billion in 2024, is projected to grow significantly, reflecting this widespread adoption of digitalization.
Note: This technology, centered around the ESL Gateway AP and the individual ESL Price Tag, represents a major leap from traditional paper labels. Vusiongroup provides a robust platform that ensures the information displayed is always correct, creating a more reliable shopping experience for everyone.
What Are Those Digital Price Tags?
Those small digital screens on supermarket shelves are a powerful technology known as Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs). They represent a significant leap forward in retail operations, replacing static paper tags with dynamic, connected displays. Major retailers like Carrefour and The Fresh Market® are already using this technology to build the next generation of smart stores.
Introducing Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs)
From Paper to Pixels
For decades, paper labels dominated store shelves. Employees spent countless hours printing, cutting, and manually replacing tags for every price change or promotion. This process was slow and prone to error. The transition from paper to pixels introduces dynamic, accurate electronic shelf labels. These digital tags connect to a central system, allowing for instant and error-free updates across thousands of products simultaneously.
The Vusion V-Label
Vusiongroup engineers the technology behind these advanced labels, offering a diverse portfolio to meet any retail need. The V-Label series includes:
- V100 & V300 Series: These labels form the backbone of price automation, offering displays in black, white, red, and yellow. The V300 series includes specialized models for freezers (withstanding -25°C) and wet environments like seafood counters.
- V700 Series: These are full-color displays that act as mini digital signs, perfect for high-impact branding and video promotions right at the shelf.
This variety ensures there is a solution for every product and department. The wide range of available screen sizes further highlights the platform’s adaptability.
What You See on the Screen
More Than Just a Price
Modern electronic shelf labels offer much more than a price. They can display crucial product data like nutritional facts, country of origin, unit pricing, and even real-time stock levels. This rich information empowers shoppers to make more informed decisions without needing to search for an employee or pull out their phone.
Understanding Promotions
Tip: Look for the colors! Vusiongroup electronic shelf labels use bright colors like red and yellow to make promotions impossible to miss.
Instead of relying on separate paper signs, the label itself dynamically changes to show a sale. The original price might appear next to the new, lower price, making the discount clear and easy to understand. This ensures shoppers can spot deals quickly and confidently.
QR Codes for More Info
Many labels feature a QR code. A quick scan with a smartphone camera can direct a customer to a webpage containing detailed specifications, recipes, or brand stories. This feature seamlessly connects the physical shelf to the vast resources of the digital world, enhancing the shopping experience with on-demand information.
How Do Digital Price Tags Actually Work?
The seamless operation of thousands of digital price tags appears magical, but it relies on a sophisticated and efficient wireless ecosystem. Vusiongroup designed this system to be robust, fast, and incredibly energy-efficient, ensuring stores can manage their pricing with precision and reliability. The technology works through a combination of centralized communication and clever power management.
The Magic of Wireless Updates
Every electronic shelf label in a store is part of a connected network. This network allows for instantaneous updates pushed from a single point of control, eliminating the slow and error-prone process of changing paper tags by hand.
The Central Store Hub
The process begins at a central hub located within the store. This hub acts as the system’s brain, integrating directly with the supermarket’s existing Point of Sale (POS) and inventory management (ERP) systems. When a manager updates a price or promotion in their main computer system, the change is automatically sent to the hub. The hub then identifies the specific label on the shelf and transmits the new information, ensuring perfect alignment between the checkout price and the shelf-edge price. This automation streamlines the entire pricing process for any retail business.
Low-Energy Communication
The hub communicates with the labels using specialized wireless protocols designed for low power consumption and reliability in a busy store environment. The vusiongroup platform utilizes several advanced technologies to send data packets to the labels. These include:
- Radio Frequency (RF) technology for broad coverage across the store.
- Infrared (IR) for secure, line-of-sight communication.
- Modern IoT protocols, including options based on Bluetooth.
This multi-protocol approach guarantees that every update reaches its destination quickly and securely, whether it’s for one label or ten thousand.
Keeping the Labels Powered
A common question is how these digital screens stay on without being plugged into an outlet. The answer lies in their ultra-low-power design and long-lasting internal batteries, making them completely wireless and easy to install.
Long-Life Batteries
Electronic shelf labels are engineered for extreme energy efficiency. They only consume significant power when receiving an update; the static e-paper display uses virtually no energy to hold an image. This allows them to operate for years on a single battery.
Most Vusiongroup ESLs have battery lives ranging from 5 to 10 years, depending on the frequency of updates and the specific screen technology used. Some models can handle over 7,000 updates on a single battery.
This incredible longevity means store employees rarely have to worry about replacing batteries, making the system highly sustainable and low-maintenance.
Designed for Retail
Every component of the system, from the communication hardware to the label’s power source, is built to withstand the demands of a busy retail environment. The labels are durable, the wireless network is resistant to interference, and the batteries provide years of dependable service. This thoughtful engineering ensures the technology works reliably behind the scenes, so your shopping experience is smoother and more accurate.
How Vusion Group Tech Makes Your Shopping Better
The technology from Vusiongroup directly enhances the shopping journey by creating a more reliable, efficient, and informative store environment. These digital upgrades solve common frustrations, making each trip to the supermarket smoother for every consumer. The system empowers shoppers with accurate pricing, easy-to-find products, and rich information right at the shelf edge.
No More Price Surprises at Checkout
One of the most significant benefits for any consumer is price integrity. Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) build trust by ensuring the price you see on the shelf is the exact price you pay at the register.
Guaranteed Price Accuracy
ESL systems eliminate the frustrating discrepancies that occur with manual paper labels. The technology automates the entire pricing process, which greatly reduces the risk of human error. A National Retail Federation report indicates that switching to digital labels leads to a 30% reduction in pricing errors. Vusiongroup achieves this by integrating its platform directly with the store’s Point of Sale (POS) system.
- Price updates are sent to the shelf labels and cash registers simultaneously.
- This synchronization ensures perfect consistency between the shelf and the checkout.
- Automated price adjustments reduce customer disputes and improve checkout efficiency.
This accuracy helps retailers comply with pricing regulations, which protects the consumer from overcharges and builds confidence in the store.
Real-Time Price Changes
Supermarkets can now implement price changes instantly across the entire store or even a whole chain of stores. This capability allows for dynamic pricing strategies that benefit the shopper. For example, a store can quickly launch a flash sale or reduce the price of items nearing their expiration date. This ensures pricing is always current and consistent with online promotions, removing confusion for the consumer and creating a seamless experience. The Vusiongroup platform gives retailers centralized control to manage these updates, guaranteeing every shopper sees the correct price at the right time.
Finding Deals and Products Easily
Navigating a large supermarket to find specific items and the best deals can be challenging. Vusiongroup technology simplifies this process with clear visual cues and smart location features.
Clear, Dynamic Promotions
ESLs make promotions impossible to miss. Instead of relying on separate paper signs, the labels themselves change to highlight special offers. Retailers can use bright colors like red and yellow or even customize designs to spotlight promotions. This technology also enables dynamic strategies, such as discounting perishable goods in real time as their expiration dates approach. The clear visual display of the original price next to the sale price makes the savings obvious to any consumer.
Shelf-Edge Product Geolocation with LED Lights
Many Vusiongroup labels feature a small, multi-color LED light that revolutionizes product location. This “Pick to Light” functionality helps everyone find items faster.
Store associates fulfilling online orders can activate the LED on a specific label, guiding them directly to the correct product. This feature increases picking productivity and reduces the chance of missing items.
The same system, known as “Stock to Light,” helps staff identify empty shelves that need replenishment, ensuring products are available when you want them. This smart geolocation makes the entire store operate more efficiently.
Getting More Product Information
Modern shoppers want access to detailed product information to make informed choices. ESLs bring the richness of online shopping directly to the physical shelf.
Accessing Details Instantly
Many labels include a QR code that shoppers can scan with their smartphones. This simple action connects the physical product to a world of digital information. A consumer can instantly access:
- Detailed product descriptions and specifications.
- Customer reviews and ratings.
- Instructional videos or recipe ideas.
This feature transforms the shopping trip into an informative session, allowing customers to research products on the spot and make purchasing decisions with greater confidence.
Displaying Allergen and Origin Data
Beyond the price, ESLs serve as a hub for crucial product data. The Vusiongroup system is designed to enhance the transparency of product information. The high-resolution screens can clearly display vital details that matter to health-conscious and ethically-minded shoppers. This includes:
- Vital allergen information for those with dietary restrictions.
- Nutritional facts like calorie counts and ingredients.
- Country of origin or confirmation that an item is locally produced.
Displaying this information directly on the shelf empowers shoppers to select products that align with their personal needs and values without having to inspect tiny print on the packaging.
The Vusiongroup Platform: The Brains of the Operation
The seamless functionality of digital labels relies on a powerful central nervous system. The vusiongroup platform is the intelligent core that connects and manages every digital component in the store, turning raw information into actionable insights. This sophisticated software ecosystem is what truly powers the modern supermarket.
Connecting an Entire Supermarket
The vusiongroup platform creates a robust, store-wide network that ensures every label is connected and responsive. This infrastructure is designed for scalability, security, and efficiency.
The Vusion Cloud
The VusionCloud is a specialized Retail IoT platform that serves as the central command center. It enables retailers to track, manage, and monitor their electronic shelf labels from delivery to end-of-life. This cloud-based solution allows for centralized control over prices and promotions across an entire chain. Major US retailers have adopted this system to automate processes in hundreds of locations from a single point of control, ensuring consistency everywhere.
Managing Thousands of Labels
In-store, the system uses advanced hardware to communicate with every label.
- Access Points: A single SESimagotag Access Point can manage up to 10,000 labels, reducing hardware clutter.
- Infraless Solutions: Some setups leverage a store’s existing Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for extra hardware or cabling.
- V:Gate Security: This technology ensures top-tier security for all communications, using standards like encryption and secure boot to protect data.
This powerful combination allows the vusiongroup platform to manage a vast network of labels reliably.
More Than Just Price Changes
The platform’s capabilities extend far beyond simple price updates. It transforms shelves into a source of valuable data, helping stores operate more efficiently and serve customers better.
Real-Time Stock Monitoring
The vusiongroup platform uses Captana, a system of wireless shelf-edge mini-cameras and AI, to provide 24/7 shelf monitoring. It offers real-time visibility of every product.
The system automatically identifies SKUs and generates instant alerts for out-of-stock situations or misplaced items. This ensures shelves are replenished quickly, maximizing product availability for shoppers.
This constant flow of data helps staff maintain a fully stocked store.
Data for a Better Store Layout
The platform provides powerful retail intelligence by analyzing in-store data. It uses AI to study customer traffic patterns and purchasing behavior, drawing insights from sources like retail point of sales data. This analysis helps retailers understand which products are popular and where they should be placed for optimal visibility. This data-driven approach allows stores to refine their layouts, improve product assortment, and create a more intuitive shopping experience.
How AI Helps Supermarket Staff Help You
Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that transforms store operations, directly benefiting the consumer. The Vusiongroup platform uses AI to handle routine, time-consuming jobs. This shift allows supermarket staff to focus on what truly matters: providing excellent customer service. These AI-powered solutions create a more efficient store and a better shopping experience for every consumer.
Automating Tedious Tasks
AI excels at automating repetitive work with speed and accuracy. This technology removes major bottlenecks in daily store management, from pricing to inventory control. The result is a smoother, more reliable operation that benefits both the staff and the consumer.
Ending Manual Price Updates
Changing paper price tags is a slow and tedious process. AI-powered solutions eliminate this task entirely. The system automates price updates, saving a significant amount of staff time each week. This automation allows employees to focus on more valuable activities. Retailer case studies show impressive time savings:
- Dan Murphy’s in Australia reported saving approximately 12 staff hours per store each week.
- Kavanagh’s Belsize Park saved around 600 hours in just six months, which is about 23 hours per week.
- Stores with frequent price changes can save up to 100 hours weekly by switching from paper to digital labels.
Faster Stock Replenishment
Empty shelves are a major frustration for any consumer. The Vusiongroup platform uses AI to ensure products are available when you need them. The system analyzes real-time data from various sources to detect out-of-stocks and prioritize replenishment tasks. For example, The Fresh Market uses AI-enabled mobile devices to get a clear view of every shelf. This technology helps them digitally spot empty spaces and restock items efficiently, improving product availability for the consumer.
Freeing Up Employees for Customer Service
When AI handles the monotonous jobs, human employees are free to engage in more meaningful work. This strategic shift places more staff on the sales floor, ready to assist shoppers and enhance the in-store experience.
More Staff on the Floor
Automating back-office tasks allows retailers to reallocate their workforce. Instead of spending hours in a back room changing prices or manually checking inventory, employees can be present on the floor. This increased visibility means more opportunities for staff to help a consumer find products and answer questions.
By automating the most repetitive and monotonous tasks, agents are able to dedicate more time to more complex support needs and focus on work that can’t be automated. This removes one of the biggest bottlenecks support teams see.
Quicker Help When You Need It
With more employees available throughout the store, shoppers receive help much faster. This improved responsiveness is a direct result of AI handling background processes. Whether a consumer needs help locating an item, has a question about a promotion, or requires a product recommendation, a knowledgeable staff member is more likely to be nearby. This efficient use of technology and human expertise creates a supportive and satisfying shopping environment.
The Future of Your Supermarket with Vusion
The technology powering your supermarket is constantly evolving. Vusiongroup is at the forefront of this transformation, with a strategic plan to turn physical stores into fully integrated digital assets. The future of retail promises an even smarter, more personalized, and sustainable shopping experience, driven by advancements in IoT, AI, and data analytics.
Smarter Shelves, Smarter Shopping
The shelf edge is becoming the next frontier for digital interaction. Future innovations will transform static shelves into dynamic guides that assist you throughout your shopping journey.
In-Store Navigation
Finding products in a large store will soon become effortless. Intelligent shelves are a key growth area for in-store wayfinding. These shelves will integrate with digital maps to provide real-time directions to any item on your list. Imagine a shelf that lights up or displays an arrow, guiding you to the next product you need. This technology will enhance the shopping experience by helping customers find items more quickly and efficiently.
Personalized Offers on the Shelf
Promotions are set to become highly personal and relevant. The vusiongroup platform will use technologies like geofencing to create contextual shopper interactions. This means the system can recognize a loyal customer’s presence in an aisle and display a personalized offer on the shelf label right in front of them.
For example, as you approach the coffee aisle, a special discount on your favorite brand could appear on the digital tag, creating a unique and engaging retail experience.
Sustainability in Retail
Beyond convenience, this technology drives significant environmental benefits. Digital systems help reduce waste and optimize energy consumption, making the entire retail operation more sustainable.
Reducing Paper Waste
The most immediate environmental impact is the elimination of paper price tags. This shift dramatically reduces a store’s paper consumption and waste. Traditional paper systems also have hidden environmental costs.
- Energy used for printing and distribution.
- Ink and toner consumption.
- Waste generated from discarded labels. Digital labels remove these factors entirely, contributing to a greener retail footprint.
Optimizing Energy Use
Electronic shelf labels are designed for extreme energy efficiency. E-paper displays consume minimal power, using energy only when the information is updated. This allows their batteries to last for 5 to 10 years. This ultra-low consumption stands in stark contrast to older LCD signs that require continuous power. By optimizing energy use at the shelf, this technology helps retailers reduce their overall carbon emissions and operate more sustainably.
The vusion group is the global leader modernizing physical commerce with its smart digital label system. This technology ensures the price you see is the price you pay, creating a more reliable and efficient shopping trip. The impact of vusion group is significant, with a presence that includes:
- Over 400 million Electronic Shelf Labels installed worldwide.
- Serving over 350 major retailers in more than 60 countries.
Ultimately, the vusion group works behind the scenes to deliver a smoother, more accurate experience for every shopper.
FAQ
What happens to the labels if the store loses power?
The e-paper screens on the labels retain their last displayed image without needing continuous power. The central system will automatically resynchronize with all labels once power and network connectivity are restored, ensuring all information becomes current again.
Are the digital labels waterproof?
Yes, Vusiongroup designs specialized labels for different environments. For example, the V300 series includes models with high water resistance ratings. These specific labels are perfect for use in humid areas like seafood counters or produce sections.
How long do the batteries in the labels last?
The batteries in Vusiongroup ESLs are designed for longevity. They typically last between 5 and 10 years. This long lifespan depends on factors like the label model and the frequency of price updates in the store.
Can these labels track my personal information?
No, the labels do not collect personal data from shoppers. The system’s communication is a one-way street for pricing and product information. It sends data to the label. It does not gather information from customers in the aisle.
How quickly can a store update a price?
Price updates are nearly instantaneous. Once a retailer changes a price in their central system, the Vusiongroup platform transmits that update to the specific shelf label in a matter of seconds. This ensures rapid and accurate price changes store-wide.
What is e-paper technology? 📝
E-paper, or electronic paper, is the screen technology used in most ESLs. It mimics the appearance of ink on paper.
This technology is extremely energy-efficient because it only uses power when the image is changing. It requires zero power to hold a static image.
Do the labels work in cold environments like freezers?
Absolutely. Vusiongroup offers specialized ESLs engineered to function perfectly in extreme temperatures. Certain models can operate reliably in commercial freezers with temperatures as low as -25°C (-13°F), ensuring price accuracy in every department.
See Also
Page Not Found: Navigating The Digital Abyss Of Missing Content
