Innovation of the Week is a series highlighting retail initiatives that have caught the eye of our team.
What is it?
Asda is undergoing a new trial of electronic shelf edge labels at an Asda Express store on Oxford Road in Manchester’s city centre.
The supermarket has collaborated with Vusion Group to install 3,000 electronic shelf edge labels, which provide pricing updates in as quick as 15 seconds.
The trial will run at the store for 12 weeks with the aim of simplifying operations for colleagues and making sure more of their time can be spent helping customers.
Why does it matter?
The Oxford Road convenience store is a high footfall store according to Asda, so this will enable the technology to be stress tested and provide more data. It will be run across many product categories such as frozen, fresh, instore bakery, toiletries and alcohol.
The grocer tested similar technology at its superstore in Stevenage in 2023. It hopes to continue trialling electronic shelf edge labelling and other future technology across its Express stores with the goal of providing a better in-store customer experience.
Strategic implications
The testing of such technologies gives Asda the chance to find out what works, what can be improved and if it can be rolled out to future stores.
It forms part of Asda’s commitment to keep investing in enhanced in-store operations.
“This ‘test and learn’ trial will not only help to simplify operations for colleagues in the store, but it will also provide us with valuable learnings that will shape future technology rollouts into stores. We look forward to hearing feedback from customers and colleagues on the trial.”
Chris Walker, managing director of Asda Express
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