Electronic Shelf Label & Digital Price Tags

In the digital signage arena, the use of Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) is now wide-spreading in most stores. They are constantly being used in product pricing, signage on buildings, and randomly in production processes. It takes only a few seconds for the Electric Shelf Label to transfer data via WLAN. All the data collected is controllable from all branches, although it is centrally managed on a PC.

MOKO is one original Electronic Shelf Label manufacturer. We deliver chips that outclass the Radio Frequencies; therefore, our Electronic Shelf Labels ideally in various surroundings from high-retail traffic spaces to sparsely-stocked warehouses. Our mesh stack provides excellent performances and the best efficiency for ESLs applications as we optimize it for our trademarked IP. Also, Moko offers customized hardware solutions that have stacks with a high-efficiency protocol. Our chips will likely form the base on the building of the next generation of ESL networks.

Electronic Shelf Label & Digital
Price Tags

In the digital signage arena, the use of Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) is now wide-spreading in most stores. They are constantly being used in product pricing, signage on buildings, and randomly in production processes. It takes only a few seconds for the Electric Shelf Label to transfer data via WLAN. All the data collected is controllable from all branches, although it is centrally managed on a PC.

MOKO is one original Electronic Shelf Label manufacturer. We deliver chips that outclass the Radio Frequencies; therefore, our Electronic Shelf Labels ideally in various surroundings from high-retail traffic spaces to sparsely-stocked warehouses. Our mesh stack provides excellent performances and the best efficiency for ESLs applications as we optimize it for our trademarked IP. Also, Moko offers customized hardware solutions that have stacks with a high-efficiency protocol. Our chips will likely form the base on the building of the next generation of ESL networks.

ESL Tag Products

2.13 Inch Digital Price Tags

2.13 Inch

2.6 inch Digital Price Tags

2.6 Inch

2.9 Inch Digital Price Tags

2.9 Inch

4.2 Inch Digital Price Tags

4.2 Inch

2.13 inch Digital Price Tags

5.8 Inch

Structure Description

digital shelf tags structure description

How Electronic Shelf Label Works?

The Benefits of ESL Electronic Shelf Label

* Ensures Accurate Pricing and Product Information.
* Enables On-Demand, Real-Time Pricing Promotions.
* Improves Margin and Increases Sales.
* Reduces Labor Costs and Errors.
* Enhances Customer Loyalty and Satisfaction.

* Integrates with Existing Retail Systems.
* Centralized Administration of all Devices with full Visibility
* Create In-Store Marketing and Promotion Centers
* Strong Return on Investment, Easy to maintain.

Ultra-low Battery Consumption

Ultra-low Battery
Consumption

All Terrain -25~40

All Terrain -25~40

Bluetooth Communication

Bluetooth Communication

Easy Finding

Easy Finding

Cost Efficiency

Cost Efficiency

Easy Deployment

Easy Deployment

Extremely Thin

Extremely Thin

Retail IOT Cloud

Retail IOT Cloud

Security

Easy Finding

Applications

Automated Digital Pricing by Electronic Shelf Labels

Automated Digital Pricing

The price sales on Electronic shelf labels match with the label management software. This makes sure no branding issue turns around the price integrity, thereby increasing the accuracy of prices. The lost revenue for undervalued items decreases due to this, as customers usually alert the staff of high-priced items and not the converse. Automated digital pricing in ESL systems lessens the labor cost of pricing management, enhances the accuracy of prices, and permits dynamic pricing. Dynamic pricing enables retailers to fluctuate prices to match the demand, create promotions and increase online competition.

ESL for Shopper Engagement

Shopper Engagement

Modern shoppers usually need more information on various products, although their availability is more comprehensive than ever. Whether it’s the history of the product, country of origin, or how to recycle the product, the electronic shelf label makes such additional information available to customers with just a scan or tap in their smartphones. Shoppers can engage with the shop as the electronic shelf labels are always equipped with NFC tags. The NFC tags are easy to use as they redirect the shoppers their desired page with just a tap of a compatible phone. You can use QR codes on the label in case NFC is not necessary. Also, it is essential to use dedicated apps if possible.

Wearhouse Management by digital shelf labels

Wearhouse Management

If you are still using shelf labels in the management of your warehouse, it is worth investing in electronic warehouse shelf labels, and you will not regret it. Once you start experiencing the advantages of ESLs, you will wonder why you didn’t embrace the technology initially. Electronic warehouse shelf labels ease the optimization of prices in your business. ESL features price optimization algorithms that are easy to adjust according to your client’s buying practices and supplier prices. The electronic labels enhance profit margins and revenue growth as they permit you to make abrupt price alterations based on the approvals from your extensive data system.

Product Wayfinding by Digital Price Tags

Product Wayfinding

Electronic shelf labels propose an automated way out to the product wayfinding problem. As every brand is dynamically positioned, the system quickly determines where all products are on a map. Customers can use the Pricer Quick Search tool available on the web search or at the kiosk to search the position of various products in the store. Shoppers can conveniently search products in the store when you place a few stalls all over the store. Besides, you can provide simple QR codes that link to the mobile Quick Search. This enables anyone using a smartphone to access the search.

Store Operations by Digital Price Tags

Store Operations

Using electronic warehouse shelf labels helps you to expand the operations and efficiency of your store. When selling various commodities in your store, it is likely for price changes to come in large batches. This can cause problems in staffing as your employees would be required to spend much time on unnecessary tasks which most of them find boring. Once you start using the electronic shelf labels, the staff allocation at your store will significantly improve. This is because your staffs will spend much time serving and engaging with customers and that what matters the most.

Sustainability Through Stop Wasting by Digital Price Tags

Sustainability Through Stop Wasting

Naturally friendly packages are likely to increase customer loyalty and add value to products. Nowadays, it is necessary for a brand owner who is contesting lead market positions to have Electronic shelf labels. The labels minimize the waste caused by packaging, which the public is increasingly aware of. Global companies such as McDonald’s have already adopted the electronic shelf labels and vowed to make their packaging fully recyclable by 2025. Many governments are also implementing strict regulations that shops have to meet to stop sustainable wasting. The pressure on electronic shelf labels is on, and there is no doubt about it.

What is an Electronic Shelf Label?

You must be overly familiar with the annoying inconveniences attached to paper labels. They aren’t easily located, don’t come off easily and are a pain to deal with. Electronic Shelf label was created in effect to curbing these problems by smart labels.

Electronic Shelf labels are electronic tags used in displaying the price for products in a retail shop or store.

Electronic shelf label consists of easy-to-set-up components which include hardware such as, electronic price tags, hangers or rails on which the price tags are attached. All the Electronic Shelf labels can be controlled by a central server computer via a software-directed local network. Through which their prices, dates and other product information can be updated.

Though electronic shelf labels had just started getting massive popularity, they have been around for a while and has gone through several technological developments.

Technological development of Electronic shelf tags

Electronic shelf labels’ components such as the type of display screen, and, the connection network’s features such as; speed, battery capacity and range, through which the prices and other product information are updated unto the Electronic shelf labels to be displayed to the customers.

The type of Electronic shelf label display screen used, determines the type of communication technology which would be employed.

Over the decades, these two components of Electronic shelf labels had been optimized with the changing developing technologies of each era.

Some of the changes include:

The earliest generation of Electronic shelf tags

first generation: electronic price tags in supermarkets

The earliest generation of Electronic Shelf labels was equipped with liquid crystal display screens. Just like those of calculators.

Images of product prices in form of numerals and numbers were displayed through numerous and different combinations of a set of segments and lines or bars. The transmission of information from the central computer to each of the Electronic price tags was achieved through the reflection and refraction of infrared light. One of the cons of this method of display and transmission is the high amount of power it takes for the LCD screen to display an image.

Second generation – Radio transmission and E-paper generation.

Second generation

The advance in technological development saw ESL LCD screens replaced by a new type of display screen whose visual representation imitates the appearance of the product prices as common ink on paper. This was achieved through the clever use of Electrodes, capsules and electronic film placed within the screen. Compared to LCD, E-paper requires a negligible amount of power for displaying.  Radio transmission involving the use of frequencies were used in communication and transferring display product information from the main computer to each of the individual Electronic shelf label. The type of frequency that can be used with the E-paper is low-ranged, which cannot support the transfer of a large amount of data. This proved to be a problem as low data tags cannot properly display the high content information needed for some particular product.

Current generation – people counter

Current generation: electronic labels supermarket

The third generation of Electronic shelf labels technological development still made use of the E-paper display screen and radio transmission. The frequency transmission was supported with electronic and digital applications which helps increase the frequency range and data transmission to an almost limitless range (depending on the type that suits you). One of such new digital application is the almost magical-seeming technology marvel called people counter. The ESL price tags can be integrated with the particular software or application which helps you monitor the exact amount of people around a particular product and that has been around the particular product through, motion sensors, Bluetooth sensing, heat-signature sensors and lots more. This, not only optimizes security it also helps you analyze the amount of attention each particular product is getting.  You can then act on the result and re-strategize to improve your sales. This development got rid of the cons involved in the former ESL generation and optimized the ESL technology to the close-to-perfect ESL features we use and see around us today.

General principles of ESL

In a typical retail store, an average of 80 to 100 Electronic shelf labels are required. Therefore, for the usage of ESL to be cost, power, and operationally effective, the design for its principle of operation has to take into consideration this high number of required ESL.

Therefore, ESL components are constructed and optimized to this effect.  

The principle of operation of ESL involves the way the hardware and software components of the Electronic shelf label interacts for it to function optimally.

This involves the following aspects:

General principles of ESL

Centralized management software

This is the main software responsible for the labels’ maintenance and operation. It sets up the central computer server system and inputs the information needed to configure the electronic labels. ESL management software also builds and maintain the network transmission through which the product information the software configures into the central server system can be transmitted to the Electronic shelf labels and displayed to customers.

Transmission network or station

It is the route through which information configured by the centralized management software is communicated by the Central server system to the ESL price tags.

The transmission station ensures the proper transmission of the information to the ESL labels and it dictates the range to which this information is transferable.

Display system

The display systems are the numerous ELS price tags. They receive and display the transmitted product information to the customers.

Components of ESL

The ESL system is composed of components of the hardware and software.

Hardware

The hardware components of ELS include:

Electronic-shelf-label-hardware
  • ESL price tags: including the circuit design of the price tags and the electronic chips required for this to work. The TI MSP432 is most commonly used. This circuit’s function is to receive the information communicated by the management software.
  • Display screens which are most commonly E-paper or Liquid crystal displays.
  • Adapters or railingfor hanging the ESL price tags
  • A communication module that acts as a medium for information transmission. Modules used must have a minimum average transmission distance of 30 meters.
  • A CPU or a computer/server will serve as the central control station, from which the entire actions of the ESL system will be directed.

Software

The ESL software is probably the most important component. There are three types of software in an Electronic shelf label setup.
  • The first is centralized management which sets up a central server system and configures the product information.
  • The second software is the one that enables the communication module to transmit the information sent by the central server system to the display station.
  • The third type of software receives the transmitted information and converts it into a form that can be displayed to the customers on the E-paper or the Liquid crystal display.

Usage of Electronic shelf labels

Electronic shelf labels are electronic price tags. ESL is used majorly by retail shop owners in displaying the information of their product. The ESL price tags are placed in front of each product and information such as the products;
  • Price
  • Nutritional content
  • Expiry date
  • Weight and size
  • Remaining product in stock
The type of ESL price tag determines the information displayed. The usage of the ESL price tag is quickly expanding into other fields such as medicine, and pharmaceuticals in displaying the prescription of each drug and other uses.

Benefits

  • It enables the accurate and easy display of product prices.
  • It saves you the cost of having to print new labels with every price fluctuations.
  • ESL makes product survey easier for the customers and thus, improves customer satisfaction, ultimately elevating your business’ growth.
  • ESL can serve as a means of security, as special applications can be installed to track customers’ movement via heat signature and GPS location.
  • ESL increases the productivity of your shop/ organization
  • ESL gives your customers security in the retail information provided.
  • ESL saves you money for hiring extra staff in keeping the price tags up-to-date and in educating customers on the Nutritional facts of products.

Disadvantages

  • The use of Electronic shelf labels negates the need for some staff thereby, potentially leading to loss of jobs.
  • The operation of Electronic shelf labels software requires a certain degree of professional expertise.
  • A tiny software bug or error could lead to a massive loss of sales as it could potentially have a very large ripple effect.
  • Electronic shelf labels might be expensive to set up.

Digital price label types

There are various types of ESL based on some specific features and by extension, their brands.

Each type of digital price label is also differentiated by its cost.

  • Some of such features include;
  • Battery power
  • Transmission module range
  • Portability
  • Screen size
  • Encryption security
  • Transmission type
  • Display technology
  • The display area, etc.
  • Working Temperature

Some types of digital price tags:

By Dragon Guard; M200, M280, M400, E213, E290, E420 models

By troniTAG; BL15, BL21, BL29, BL58 models.

As a beginner opting for ESL for the first time, you might be overwhelmed with the bucket-load of choices without knowing how to choose the ‘right’ ESL for your retail shop.

Here is why we created a solution to helping you pick the best ESL price tags packages that best suits you.

Our ESL tags solution features

At SOLUM solution provider we offer ESL price tags packages known as Newton Gateway which are of the best technology and state-of-the-art features.

Some of which include:

  • A work-efficiency optimized central system server from which you can store, control and configure all your product information.
  • An ultra-fast transmission speed and wide range:
    • can update over 2000 ESL tags in 5 minutes
    • Takes less than 10 seconds and could peak at a speed of 0.1 seconds in updating a tag.
  • The screen of ESL price tags is very durable with a capacity to withstand a shock of 323kg/m/sqm.
  • The tags are also dust resistant and water-resistant to a certain degree. They can be fine, submerged in a meter deep water for half an hour.
  • There is flexibility in the design of the display template.  From numerous ready-made template to almost limitless custom options.
  • The screens of the Newton gateway ESL tags have a wide variety of screens from 1.6 to 11.6 inches.
  • The numerous option of over 60 RF channels optimizes the communication experience to an almost surreal perfection.
  • Newton’s software configuration makes the ESL tags very easy to find and this elevates their productivity and efficiency in several ways.

Application of Electronic shelf labels

Electronic shelf labels can be applied in several fields which include;

  • In Industries
  • In the Automobile industry
  • In the Fashion industry
  • In Cosmetics and Drug stores
  • In Furniture showrooms and stores
  • In Events
  • In the Food industry and food retail shops/stores
  • Pharmaceutical Management and Hospitals
  • In Tourism

In Industries

ESL In Industries

Electronic shelf labels can be applied in industries in several ways. The centralized server could serve as a central control station where all the works can be easily directed and controlled from. Each stage of production and the progress of production of each stage could be easily monitored and marked by ESL software and tags. The mode of operation of each machine and their present state of efficiency could also be monitored by the central management software and displayed by ESL labels to enhance productivity, prevent accidents and in short, make work more fun.

In Retail shops and stores

esl-in-retail

The most common application of ESL labels is in Retailing. ESL labels are used in optimizing product information and shopping experience by displaying products prices and other information on the ESL price tags. And also in the general maintenance of products. This application is increasingly elevating the growth of the retail industry.

In Tourism

intourism: digital price tags for retail

Running a tourist business can be both profitable and disastrous. The use of ESL technology in tourism is a sure bet at profitability. Every price changes, the weather update and even the number of people a customer is next in line to can be monitored and displayed all from a single central system at little to no effort. This of course boosts your customers’ satisfaction and as the popular saying states ‘happy customers is a happy business.’

Market insight and key findings

esl-Market-insight-and-key-findings summary

The Electronic Shelf label is an emerging and booming industry and further research and findings and market insight move to suggest that its Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is expected to be within touching distance of 21% throughout five years beginning from 2021 and ending in the year 2025, and in monetary terms and figures, the Electronic Shelf Label industry and the market are projected and estimated to reach more than $3 billion by the time the year 2027 rolls around. This is because of their constant and increasing popularity and increases in demand as a reliable and effective method of pricing.

Other interesting findings from various other reports include:

  • The enlargement and expansion of the growth in the market of this technology will be mostly driven by the acceptance of this store pricing technology.
  • Currently, countries in Europe and the continent of Europe as a whole are a large contributor and holds a significant percentage in the Electronic Shelf Label market share. This is only expected to rise in the coming years because of the laws which protect consumers against deceitful product information and pricing made and enforced by the European Commission. It is also expected that in the future, Europe will be responsible for about 49 – 50% of the growth of the label market and within that, the countries of Germany and France would possess a considerably larger chunk of the market share in comparison to other European countries.
  • The existing Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is projected to surge and increase and this is because of the current presence of Phones (smart-phones) which all contain and make use of the Near Field Communication Technology, which is known to be more cost and energy-efficient when compared to others.
  • Large companies and corporations, most recently Panasonic as of September 2019 have now announced that they plan to introduce Electronic Shelf labeling to retail industries and sectors in large markets like India for the process of smooth and easy synchronization between information on products on the shelf.

COVID-19 impact on the electronic shelf label market

COVID-19-impact-on-the-electronic-shelf-label-market

The impact of the pandemic known as COVID-19 has been felt all over the world, and every sector and important market and industry has felt its effect, which is either positive or negative. In the continent of North America and the North American Electronic Shelf label Market, the policies by the government, most importantly, the United States, which according to multiple sources is one of, if not the country which suffered and is still suffering heavily from the effects of the pandemic encourage the use of Electronic Shelf labels, but the pandemic has forced many businesses to pack up and many other small businesses are now struggling. As a result, many cannot afford to invest in the Electronic Shelf Label and it has affected the market negatively throughout the pandemic. It is expected that once the pandemic dies down and things get back to normal, the demand for the Electronic Shelf label would increase, thereby boosting the market.

Latest trends

latest-trend-of-esl

In the year 2019, it was reported that the Electronic Shelf Label market was worth a reported and estimated amount of over $1 billion and its Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) was estimated to be about 10% within six years beginning from the year 2020 and ending at 2026. These devices are also being made and shipped out to various countries across various continents in the world and it is estimated that as of the year 2026, its total units sold worldwide would have reached the 600 million unit mark.

In the face of the growing technology, automation is an exciting and enticing prospect in the industry and the need for this is one of the growing reasons for the increasing trend. The use of electronic shelf labels would help with the accuracy of pricing of goods on the retail shop shelf and enable easy product information updates and ensure homogeneity throughout the network.

These Electronic shelf labels employ a technology known as the Internet of Things (IoT). This is defined as a series or number of objects which are physical and each of the objects contain sensors and software capable of detecting and exchanging information with other devices over the internet. It is estimated that there are more than 7 billion objects connected to this technology and it is only expected to rise, with a prediction that by the year 2025, there will now be a total number of 22 billion.

This type of technology is important because it enables us to connect so many other objects to the internet via a central source or device and these objects then can be easily accessible on the internet and information can be gotten and transferred over the network. This technology enables an automated process in other to save time, cut costs and be more effective. This technology covers a wide area and has a country span covering 20 countries.

Currently, the important market shareholders are looking for and turning their focus towards a way of merging Artificial Intelligence and Bluetooth technology with their offered products to encourage and improve interaction and engagement between customers and retail shop owners.

Electronic shelf label tag segmentation

Electronic shelf label tag segmentation

The Electronic Shelf Label can be divided or segmented into various divisions based on various requirements or specifications.

Based on the Components, they can be divided into groups which are: Displays, Batteries, Transceivers and Microprocessors.

If they are grouped according to the product type, the various available groups or segments are: Full graphic electronic paper (e-paper), Segmented e-paper and the last of them is the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The E-paper is highly preferred and is expected to increase in demand in the future because of its energy efficiency and its capability to project objects into graphics, while the Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) are more expensive to purchase and implement.

According to the size of their displays, the available segments are Less than 3 inches, between 3 – 7 inches, from 7 – 10 inches and more than 10 inches.

Broken down and segmented by Technology, the segment which exists are Radio Frequency technology, Infrared Technology, Near Field Communication (NFC) technology and some other minor segments. The Infrared technology ESLs are expected to increase in demand, while near Field Communication (NFC) is also expected to be well sought after as a result of its ability to simplify customer interactions.

If these are also desired to be broken down according to the Type of End-user, the two segments here are the retail segment (which includes supermarkets) and the Industrial segment.

If you wish to further break down and segment the Electronic Shelf Label Tags according to its region or region of use, they can be divided into four segments which are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the last segment according to this classification is the Rest of the World. As stated earlier, Europe a majority chunk of the market share and it is only expected to increase as time goes on, although Latin America which includes countries like Argentina and Brazil are forecast to have the biggest growth rate.

What retailers must consider when implementing electronics shelf labels

Electronic Shelf labels sound like an interesting and attractive technological proposition which has been adopted by a lot of retailers with much more considering and preparing to adopt the technology in the coming years, and it is encouraged, but just before every single retailer jumps on the Electronic Shelf label bandwagon, there are some questions to be asked and some things to be considered before you begin adoption and implementation.

  • The physical layout of the store is important to enable the Radiofrequency signals to travel freely around the store or retail outlet with no object interfering with the transmission.
  • Who handles the pricing of the goods? Is it that particular branch of are the prices determined from a central source?
  • To choose which Electronic Shelf label is best for you, you have to first go through the various ones available and make a decision on which appearance best appeals to and is suitable for you and the retail outlet.
  • The cost of purchasing and implementing the technology. After analyzing the various kinds and types, along with their various costs, you can now make an informed decision about the most cost-effective system.
  • You will have to find out which of the Electronic Shelf labels sellers or vendors offer support and are willing to train and adequately educate the workers on the process of using the system.
  • If there is a new technology in the future, can the existing technology be upgraded seamlessly or does the entire system have to be scrapped and the new one built from scratch?

How does it work?

how-does-esl-tag-work

All the objects contain electronic shelf price tags which display the cost or price and other information of the object on a screen. All other objects within the shop are all connected to the same central server so that whenever there is a change or an update in price, the change is input and is automatically updated to all the appropriate objects connected to the network. This saves the workers the time and energy of manually having to change every single price in the store whenever there is an update.

How much do electronic price tags cost?

The costs of electronic price tags differ and change according to the type of tags and the size of the electronic tag, but on average a single electronic price tag costs about $10, so you would have to multiply that by the number of objects in the store and the number of tags you would need for them. Every price tag system also has to be controlled by software and a station that controls, operates and regulates the information and prices of the objects on sale. A single base station can comfortably control one thousand price tags and each base station has a cost of about $150.

As one original electronic shelf labels manufacturers, MOKO will provide a better price while guaranteeing high quality. We are one of your best electronic shelf label companies’ choices.

Digital Price Tags change price process