Imagine a busy convenience store during peak hours—staff rushing, customers scanning deals, and a long queue at checkout. A customer disputes a price mismatch, causing delays. Now, picture the same store with Electronic Shelf Edge Labels (ESELs)—prices update instantly, promotions change in real-time, and customers scan QR codes for details, all without manual effort.
With increasing competition, rising labour costs, and changing customer expectations in the UK, convenience store owners need smarter, more efficient retail solutions. ESELs are no longer just a high-tech luxury for supermarkets—they are becoming necessary for independent convenience stores looking to cut costs, reduce errors, and improve the shopping experience.
Let’s dive into ESELs, how they work, their costs, and why they make perfect sense for UK convenience stores.
What Are Electronic Shelf Edge Labels (ESELs)?
Electronic Shelf Edge Labels (ESELs) are digital price tags that replace traditional paper labels. They are connected to a store’s central pricing system, allowing retailers to update prices, promotions, and product information in real time.
- Unlike paper labels, ESELs:
- Eliminate manual price updates
- Prevent pricing errors at checkout
- Enable instant promotions and flash sales
- Enhance the customer shopping experience
With the UK retail sector embracing automation and digitisation, ESELs are quickly becoming a must-have solution for convenience stores.
How Do Electronic Shelf Labels Work?
ESELs use wireless technology to update prices across the store instantly. Here’s how they work:
1. Centralised Price Management: Store owners or managers control all prices from a cloud-based system or in-store POS.
2. Wireless Communication: ESELs receive updates via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or radio frequency, eliminating the need for manual price changes.
3. Instant Display Updates: Once the prices are updated in the system, all ESELs in the store change instantly, ensuring 100% price accuracy.
4. Seamless POS Integration: ESELs sync directly with the store’s POS system, ensuring that shelf prices always match the checkout prices.
5. Advanced Features: Many ESELs offer additional features like QR codes, NFC capabilities, and LED alerts, making shopping more interactive for customers.
With this system in place, store owners save time, improve efficiency, and eliminate pricing disputes.
How Much Do Electronic Shelf Labels Cost in the UK?
The cost of ESELs depends on factors like label size, display type, and technology. Below is an approximate cost breakdown:
ESL Size | Price Per Label (Approx.) |
1.5 inches (Smallest) | £4 – £12 |
2.1 inches (Common size for grocery items) | £8 – £20 |
4.2 inches (For large products/promotions) | £12 – £40 |
7.5 inches (For premium items/specialty displays) | £25 – £80 |
Per Unit Cost: ESELs typically range from £5 to £20 per label. Smaller displays with basic features are on the lower end, while larger, full-color displays with advanced capabilities are priced higher.
Additional Equipment: Implementing ESELs requires infrastructure such as base stations or gateways to facilitate communication between the central system and the labels. The average cost of a base station is between £300 and £400.
Software Integration: ESEL management software is essential for controlling and updating the labels. This software often comes with an upfront cost of around £500, with potential additional monthly fees, especially if provided as a Software as a Service (SaaS).
Additional Costs to Consider
Software & Installation: One-time setup fees range from £400 to £4,000, depending on store size.
Maintenance & Support: Some providers charge an annual service fee for software updates and support.
POS Integration: Custom setups may require additional investment for software compatibility.
Are ESELs expensive? At first glance, they may seem costly, but the long-term savings in labour costs, reduced errors, and increased efficiency make them a profitable investment.
Key Features of Electronic Shelf Labels
Modern ESELs are designed to streamline store operations and improve the customer shopping experience. Here are some standout features:
- E-Paper Displays
ESELs use e-paper or LCD screens that provide crisp, clear pricing, even under bright store lights.
Real-Time Price Updates
Store owners can change thousands of prices in seconds without touching a single label.
QR Codes & NFC Technology
Shoppers can scan QR codes to:
- Access more product details
- Get exclusive discounts
- View customer reviews
LED Flashing Alerts for Staff
Need to restock an item? Flashing LED ESELs help staff locate products instantly.
Long Battery Life
Most ESELs last 5–10 years on a single battery, making them cost-effective.
Cloud-Based Price Management
Retailers can update ESELs remotely from anywhere, ensuring consistent pricing across multiple store locations.
Major Benefits of ESELs for Convenience Stores
1. Saves Time & Reduces Labour Costs
Traditional price updates are labour-intensive and error-prone. With ESELs, store staff can focus on customer service instead of constantly replacing paper labels.
Did you know? A store with 5,000 products spends up to 40 hours per month on price changes. ESLs reduce this to minutes!
2. Eliminates Pricing Errors
Price discrepancies are a major frustration for customers and can lead to lost sales or negative reviews.
ESLs ensure that shelf prices always match checkout prices, eliminating disputes and improving customer trust.
3. Enables Dynamic Pricing & Instant Promotions
Large retailers like Tesco and Co-op already use dynamic pricing to:
- Offer discounts on expiring products
- Adjust prices based on demand
- Run time-sensitive promotions
Now, convenience stores can compete with supermarkets by offering flexible pricing strategies.
4. Enhances Customer Shopping Experience
Customers today expect digital convenience. ESELs:
- Ensure accurate pricing
- Provide product details via QR codes
- Display promotional offers instantly
This creates a modern, hassle-free shopping experience that keeps customers coming back.
5. Eco-Friendly & Cost-Effective
Switching to ESELs means no more paper waste from constantly printing new price tags.
Did you know? UK retailers spend millions of pounds annually on paper price tags. ESELs cut this cost significantly.
6. Supports Omnichannel Retailing
ESELs bridge the gap between online and offline shopping. Customers can:
- Scan QR codes to check stock availability
- Place orders for click-and-collect
- Access exclusive online discounts
This seamless shopping experience helps convenience stores compete with larger retailers.
Why Are UK Convenience Stores Adopting ESELs?
With the UK retail sector rapidly evolving, small and independent convenience stores must embrace automation to stay competitive.
Retail giants like Tesco, Marks & Spencer, and Co-op are already using ESLs. Independent convenience stores are following suit to:
- Reduce operational costs
- Improve efficiency
- Attract tech-savvy customers
Get Electronic Shelf Label Technology With MPOS
Revolutionize your convenience store operations with MPOS’s advanced Electronic Shelf Edge Labels (ESELs), designed to streamline pricing, enhance customer experience, and boost efficiency. MPOS ESELs are not just labels—they are a smart, dynamic, and eco-friendly solution that integrates seamlessly with your existing MPOS system to provide real-time updates, enhanced data management, and cost savings.
- Instant Real-Time Updates: With MPOS ESELs, pricing, promotions, and product details are updated remotely in real-time. Say goodbye to the time-consuming process of manual label changes. As soon as promotions are selected, the labels update automatically, ensuring accurate and consistent pricing across all locations, saving valuable time and labor costs.
- Durability & Longevity: Built for durability, MPOS ESELs feature an anti-scratch screen and an impressive battery life of up to 10+ years. With an IP68 rating for waterproof and dustproof protection, they perform reliably in all store environments, no matter the conditions.
- Wireless Integration & Data Collection: MPOS ESELs utilize wireless communication technology (2402MHz~2480MHz) to seamlessly integrate with existing MPOS systems. This wireless connectivity enables central management, allowing you to control updates and promotions across multiple stores with ease. Additionally, valuable sales and customer behavior data can be effortlessly collected to drive informed decision-making.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: MPOS ESELs go beyond basic pricing information. They can display detailed product descriptions, nutritional facts, and customer reviews, empowering customers to make more informed purchasing decisions directly on the shelf. This added visibility enhances the overall shopping experience.
- Eco-Friendly & Cost-Efficient: By eliminating paper waste and reducing labor costs, MPOS ESELs promotes a sustainable, eco-friendly environment while improving store efficiency. The reduction in manual work allows staff to focus on other important tasks, increasing productivity and improving staff well-being.
- Agile Promotions & Centralized Control: With MPOS ESELs, you can quickly implement promotions, discounts, and special offers across all stores, all from a single, centralized control system. This ensures pricing consistency and accurate promotional messaging across locations.
- Streamlined Workflow & Improved Efficiency: The remote, automatic updates provided by MPOS ESELs streamline your workflow, eliminating the need for frequent price tag changes. This improves operational efficiency and allows staff to focus on customer service and other high-priority tasks.
Are ESELs Worth It for Convenience Stores?
Absolutely! If your store deals with:
✔ Frequent price changes
✔ Time-consuming manual updates
✔ Pricing errors at checkout
Then ESELs are a smart investment.
By automating pricing and improving accuracy, ESELs help convenience stores save time, cut costs, and boost sales.
Thinking of upgrading your store with ESELs? Now’s the time to make the switch! MPOS ESELs are more than just labels—they are a powerful tool for enhancing store operations, improving customer satisfaction, and driving profitability. Their flexibility, durability, and ease of integration make them the ideal solution for forward-thinking convenience stores looking to embrace digital transformation.
