Following a successful trial in over 35 locations Lidl GB is to change the way it displays prices instore.
The new displays do away with paper prices on shelf edges and instead replaces them with digital displays, aka Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL).
The new ESL look very much like normal paper labels and are hardly noticeable. Since launching its trial in September 2022 across 35 stores, including Epsom and Tooting, over two-thirds of shoppers surveyed said they didn’t notice the change.
The move is estimated to save over 206 tonnes of carbon annually through paper and packaging reductions, while ink usage will also be drastically minimised.
The new ESLs reduce the time staff spend on manually checking and updating paper price tags, allowing them to focus on the things that matter most, such as helping customers and restocking shelves.
Lidl will gradually introduce ESL in the coming months, with the full rollout expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Isaac Ekpenyong, Director of Sales Organisation at Lidl GB, commented: “As a discounter, sustainability and efficiency run deep in our DNA. Making changes to how we operate, no matter how big or small, allow us to enhance the overall experience for those shopping with us. In this particular case, we’re empowering colleagues by freeing up more of their time to dedicate to tasks that directly benefit our customers. But our transition to Electronic Shelf Labels is more than that; it is another step we are taking to reduce our impact on the environment by curbing paper and ink consumption.”
