Asda will simplify store operations and boost colleague productivity with the rollout of VusionGroup’s Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) across 250 of its Express convenience stores.

The deployment follows a three-month pilot in Asda’s Manchester Oxford Road store, which helped enhanced productivity and drive efficiencies across in-store operations.

By digitalising the shelf-edge, the ESLs allowed associates to spend more time helping and serving customers, as well as focusing on priority tasks to ensure the smooth running of the store, including managing deliveries and replenishing shelves.

Streamlining store operations

“We’re continuing to invest in enhancing our stores,” said James Laws, Senior Director at Asda Express. “By streamlining our in-store operations, we can free up our colleagues to focus on what they do best – serving our customers.”

The move will see ~700,000 digital shelf displays deployed across Asda Express stores, meaning its colleagues no longer need to manually update pricing in-store, and instead can focus on enhancing customer experience.

The technology will also be used to offer shoppers more product information at the shelf-edge, with allergen information displayed via digital QR codes, in addition to other details including pricing, weight and unit prices.

Asda continues investment into convenience format

Asda hopes to launch up to 20 new Express stores before the end of the year as part of its investment into its convenience format stores. Each new Express store will feature ESLs from day one.

“With the first of 20 new Express sites set to open next, we’re excited to build on this momentum and to bring Asda’s trusted value to even more communities across the UK,” Laws added.

“By combining ESLs with IoT innovation and data-rich insight, we are helping to transform the in-store experience for Asda customers and colleagues,” Roy Horgan, CEO UK&I at VusionGroup, added.