Frequently asked questions about Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs)

Getting started

How do electronic shelf labels work?

ESLs operate through a cloud-based management system that enables updates and control. This system allows retailers to manage their entire network of digital labels, ensuring consistency and accuracy throughout the store while providing efficient tools for monitoring and updating product information across all connected labels.

Who uses electronic shelf labels?

Vusion currently provides ESLs for retailers across multiple sectors, including:

• Grocery Stores and Supermarkets: For accurate pricing and inventory management
• Department Stores: For consistent pricing across multiple departments
• Electronics Retailers: To provide detailed product specifications
• DIY and Home Improvement: For managing large product catalogs
• Appliance Stores: For displaying detailed product information
• Convenience Stores: For efficient price management
• Liquor and Beverage Stores: For pricing and promotions

Digital labels enhance operational efficiency and improve the customer experience in all these retail settings by making pricing displays more streamlined and interactive.

What are the key benefits of ESLs compared to traditional paper labels?

ESLs offer several advantages compared to paper labels. They help retailers maintain more consistent shelf information across stores, reduce pricing inconsistencies, and support clearer promotion execution when campaigns are planned and deployed centrally. ESLs also reduce paper usage and enable more flexible label layouts, including richer product information, icons, QR codes, or compliance attributes such as unit pricing where required. These benefits contribute to a more consistent and transparent shelf experience for shoppers.

What’s the difference between electronic shelf labels and digital shelf displays?

ESLs are designed to automate price updates, align online and in-store pricing, and improve shelf-level accuracy across all SKUs. They ensure operational precision and reduce manual workload. Digital shelf displays, on the other hand, are used to highlight promotions, run in-store marketing campaigns, or provide shopper guidance. ESLs drive executional efficiency, while digital displays enhance shopper engagement. Both can be part of a broader shelf digitization strategy, depending on retail objectives. 

Are ESLs scalable across different store formats and regions?

Yes, electronic shelf labels are fully scalable across a wide range of store environments, from small-format urban stores to hypermarkets and specialized retail chains. ESL infrastructure is modular and can be deployed incrementally or at scale, depending on business priorities and rollout strategy. Centralized management systems enable accurate, reliable updates across thousands of labels, regardless of geographic location or store format. Retailers benefit from a unified digital backbone that ensures consistent execution, even in complex multi-store networks. Scalability also extends to multilingual content, promotional strategies, and regional pricing regulations—critical for large retail groups operating across multiple markets.

Pricing & Promotions

How are prices, promotions, and product information updated on ESLs?

ESLs are managed through a centralized platform such as the IoT Cloud Platform, where approved updates to shelf information can be prepared and deployed across one store or a full chain. Retailers can schedule promotions, adjust displayed product details, and publish label templates in a controlled way, ensuring consistent execution across aisles and locations. This approach helps maintain alignment between shelf displays and the retailer’s central pricing and product systems, supporting accuracy and governance.

How do ESLs support planned promotions and compliant price execution?

ESLs help retailers deploy planned promotions and approved price updates consistently across their store network from a centralized platform. Promotions can be scheduled and rolled out in alignment with marketing calendars, store strategy, and compliance requirements. This ensures shelf information is executed consistently across aisles and locations, supporting clear communication and reliable campaign execution.

Can ESLs display additional information, such as promotions or customer reviews?

Yes, ESLs can display a variety of information beyond pricing. This versatility enhances the shopping experience by delivering comprehensive product insights, including:

• Promotional Offers: Highlighting current deals and discounts.
• Customer Reviews: Showcasing ratings and feedback to assist in purchasing decisions.
• Nutritional Information: Providing detailed product content for informed choices

How can electronic shelf labels improve pricing accuracy and compliance?

ESLs help retailers improve pricing accuracy by supporting consistent alignment between shelf displays and the retailer’s central pricing system. This reduces discrepancies that can lead to shopper complaints and compliance issues. ESL platforms can also support governance through permissions, publish controls, and reporting that helps retailers monitor label status and document updates, which is valuable in regulated environments.

Can ESLs trigger concerns around pricing fairness or trust?

Retailers can use ESLs to strengthen pricing integrity and transparency by ensuring the price displayed on the shelf is consistent with the retailer’s central pricing system and checkout. ESLs support clear, legible displays and can help reduce discrepancies caused by outdated or inconsistent shelf labels. When retailers apply governance around when and how updates are published, ESLs reinforce shopper confidence by improving clarity and consistency at the shelf.

Store Operations

How do ESLs support operational efficiency in retail stores?

ESLs help retailers standardize how shelf information is displayed across stores by using centrally managed templates and approved updates. This reduces inconsistencies between aisles, improves shelf execution for promotions, and supports clearer governance for when updates are published. ESLs can also support store workflows through features like LED indicators and digital content formats that make it easier to maintain accurate shelf conditions and consistent shopper communication.

Can ESLs be used for purposes other than displaying prices, such as inventory management or assisting with order picking?

Absolutely! Beyond displaying prices, ESLs can enhance various retail operations:

• Inventory Management: Real-time stock levels and alerts.
• Order Picking: Assisting staff in locating products efficiently.
• In-Store Navigation: Guiding customers to product locations.

This multifunctionality contributes to streamlined operations for the store and improved service quality for the customers.

What operational data can be displayed directly on the shelves using electronic labels?

Electronic shelf labels go beyond pricing—they become access points to operational intelligence. Labels can display real-time stock levels, product availability, planogram compliance indicators, expiry dates, or even picking instructions. This transforms the shelf into a live data hub, directly synchronized with the retailer’s ERP or inventory system. Store associates gain instant visibility into stock-outs, backroom availability, or restocking needs—without leaving the aisle. By eliminating the need for handheld devices or paper-based checks, ESLs streamline workflows and accelerate task execution, enabling faster, data-driven decisions in-store.

Shopper Experience

How do digital price tags enhance in-store customer experience?

Digital price tags support a clearer, more consistent in‑store experience by improving shelf information accuracy and readability. Shoppers benefit from legible displays, consistent promotion communication, and fewer discrepancies between what is shown on the shelf and what is reflected at checkout. When enabled, QR codes or NFC can provide optional access to additional product details, helping shoppers make more informed decisions without cluttering the shelf.

Are ESLs readable and user-friendly for shoppers?

Absolutely. Modern ESLs are engineered for in-aisle clarity and usability. Their high-contrast e-paper displays are designed to remain legible from multiple angles and lighting conditions. Retailers can choose font sizes, icons, and layout templates to match shopper profiles and product types. Some ESLs also support QR codes or NFC taps to deliver expanded information, nutritional facts, or shopper reviews—enhancing transparency without cluttering shelves. These formats improve shelf navigation and reduce shopper frustration, especially in high-SKU environments.

How can digital price tags increase in-store shopper engagement?

Digital price tags turn the shelf edge into a communication channel. Beyond static pricing, they deliver contextual content, highlighting promotions, cross-sell suggestions, or real-time stock alerts. Shoppers can interact with ESLs via QR codes or NFC to access product reviews, nutritional scores, availability in nearby stores, or alternative formats online. These touchpoints empower customers with instant, relevant information? while enabling retailers to personalize engagement based on shopper needs. The result: higher conversion rates, better in-aisle experience, and more seamless online-offline transitions.

Technology

What types of electronic shelf labels are available?

Retailers can choose from a range of ESL formats to match different store environments and product categories. Standard monochrome labels are ideal for high-SKU areas like grocery, while color displays support branding and promotional visibility in non-food or specialty retail. Sizes vary from small-format labels for cosmetics or convenience stores to large-format models for bulk items or end caps. Some models integrate NFC or LED indicators, enabling shopper interaction or staff task management. All ESLs are designed to ensure readability, robustness, and low energy consumption.

Do ESLs function effectively in extreme environments, such as refrigerated or humid areas?

ESLs are designed to operate optimally in various retail environments, including areas with refrigeration or high humidity. Their robust construction ensures reliable performance under challenging conditions, maintaining accurate and visible displays. Waterproof models, such as the V300, can even be placed where fish, meat, or produce are displayed without compromising hygiene standards.

How reliable is the wireless network for ESLs in dense store environments?

Electronic shelf labels rely on a dedicated, low-bandwidth wireless protocol optimized for high-density retail environments. The infrastructure operates on isolated radio frequencies to avoid interference with Wi-Fi or other in-store systems. Advanced deployment planning includes site surveys to ensure full coverage—even in complex layouts. Once installed, the network supports stable, bidirectional communication across thousands of tags simultaneously, with uptime rates exceeding 99.9%. ESL platforms also include monitoring tools to detect and resolve any signal loss or coverage blind spots in real time.

What happens if an ESL display fails or the battery runs out?

ESLs are built for longevity, with a typical battery lifespan of over 5 years—even under intensive update cycles. When batteries near depletion, centralized platforms generate automated alerts to enable proactive replacement without service interruption. Labels are designed with fail-safe features: if a display glitch occurs, they retain the last valid price until reset. Combined with predictive maintenance and label-level diagnostics, this ensures uninterrupted pricing integrity and seamless store operations at scale.

What customization options are available for ESLs in terms of size, color, and design?

ESLs come in various sizes and designs to suit wide-ranging retail needs. Customization options include:

• Display Sizes: From small tags perfect for aisle shelves to larger displays for prominent products.
• Color Displays: Options for monochrome or color screens.
• Mounting Designs: Various attachment methods to fit different shelving systems.

These options allow retailers to tailor ESLs to their specific branding and operational requirements.

Deployment & Infrastructure

What infrastructure is needed to deploy ESLs in stores?

Deploying ESLs does not require heavy infrastructure. Stores need a power source for the communication access points and a reliable internet connection. The ESL system operates wirelessly and does not depend on the store’s Wi-Fi. Installation is fast – typically completed within 1 to 3 days per store, depending on store size – and includes a setup of a centralized content management system (CMS) to handle price updates and label configurations. The system integrates seamlessly with POS and ERP environments via API, without requiring major changes to existing workflows.

What is the typical lifespan and maintenance cost of ESL devices?

High-quality ESLs generally offer a lifespan of 5 to 7 years. Their battery life often exceeds 5 years due to energy-efficient protocols. Maintenance is minimal and mainly involves occasional battery replacements or firmware updates. With centralized management platforms, retailers can update thousands of labels in seconds, removing the need for in-store interventions. Some solutions also support automated shelf monitoring, further reducing the need for manual checks and ensuring long-term system reliability.

Connected Store

How are AI and IoT transforming electronic shelf label capabilities?

AI and IoT can enhance ESL ecosystems by improving visibility into shelf conditions and supporting smarter store execution. When connected to store systems and sensors, retailers can monitor label status, detect gaps between expected and observed shelf conditions, and surface insights that help prioritize actions such as replenishment checks or planogram verification. This creates a more connected store environment where decisions are supported by data and where shelf information can be managed with greater consistency and control.

How do electronic shelf labels support retail media and in-store advertising?

ESLs turn every shelf into a programmable advertising surface. Through scheduled content and contextual messaging, retailers can promote new products, highlight brand activations, or trigger targeted messages by daypart or location. QR codes or NFC taps allow shoppers to access digital coupons, branded videos, or online exclusives. Integrated into a retail media strategy, ESLs help monetize shelf space and deliver CPG campaigns with precision—right at the point of purchase. This creates a new revenue stream for retailers and boosts in-aisle brand visibility.