John Taylor

Asda Rolling Out ESLs Across Express Stores Asda has announced that it is rolling out electronic shelf labels (ESLs) across its largest and busiest Express convenience stores as part of its efforts to simplify operations. Working with VusionGroup and its partners, Renovotec and HL Display, the rollout to 250 sites follows a three-month trial at Asda’s Oxford Road Store in Manchester. The trial found that the technology freed up staff time, allowing them to focus on customer service, managing deliveries, and replenishing shelves. Approximately 2,800 separate electronic shelf labels (over 700,000 across the entire rollout) will be added to each store, meaning Asda’s staff will no longer need to manually update pricing in-store. The technology can also display allergen information at shelf edge through QR codes, in addition to displaying the cost, weight and unit price of products. Asda recently announced that it was resuming its Express store opening programme after a pause to focus on converting the 469 sites it acquired from the Co-op and EG Group. Up to 20 of the convenience stores are due to open before the end of the year, starting with Castleford on Wednesday of next week. Each new Express site will feature the ESLs from day one. “We’re continuing to invest in enhancing our stores, and the launch of cutting-edge technology across our Express estate is proof of this,” said Joseph Sutton, VP Asda Express, foodservice and fuel. “By streamlining our in-store operations, we can free up our colleagues to focus on what they do best – serving our customers. 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.” Roy Horgan, CEO UK & Ireland – VusionGroup, added: “We are proud to be extending our partnership with Asda as they accelerate their digital transformation. This next phase is a testament to both Asda’s digital ambition and the strength of VusionGroup’s market-leading technologies. By combining ESLs with IoT innovation and data-rich insight, we are helping to transform the in-store experience for Asda customers and colleagues.” NamNews Implications: * Key benefits in practice: - Free up existing staff to improve in-store service level (rather than cut staff numbers per store) - Add unit pricing (hopefully enabling true like-with-like price comparison) - Error reduction in on-shelf pricing (either via delays in adding updates or genuine errors) * Given those conditions, the ESL rollout should make a difference… #AsdaElectronicShelfLabels #ESLs

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What’s been happening in retail this week? · Co-op endorsed government plans to raise business rates on large supermarkets to fund cuts for smaller stores, expecting 92% of its estate to benefit. Larger rivals, including Marks and Spencer and Tesco, criticised the £1.7bn surcharge, warning it could lead to store closures and higher food prices. · Sainsbury's and Aldi UK welcomed the UK government’s Good Food Cycle, a 10-point plan promoting healthier, affordable and sustainable food. The strategy aims to support domestic production, improve supply chain fairness and tackle obesity and food insecurity. · Marks and Spencer entered its first international fashion wholesale partnership, supplying womenswear, menswear and lingerie to Australian department store David Jones. The deal spans 24 stores and online, supporting M&S’s aim to grow international sales. · Pottery Barn will launch in the UK this autumn with an online offer of furniture, lighting, bedding and décor. Owned by Williams-Sonoma, Inc., the brand will also offer free design services. · IKEA announced the opening of its first “small store” in Harlow on 24 July, in a former Homebase unit. The store will showcase 5,000 products, with 3,000 available to take home. · Sosandar revealed the M&S cyber attack cost it £800,000 in lost revenue, delaying its return to the platform. As a stock concession supplier, Sosandar may not resume trading until autumn. · Boots UK owner Walgreens secured 96% shareholder support for a $10bn acquisition by Sycamore Partners. Completion is expected later this year, pending regulatory approval. · Claire's Accessories has appointed Interpath to explore a rescue plan amid debt pressures, with a £355m loan due by December 2026. UK losses hit £25m over three years, with 2024 sales down 0.8% to £137m. · Dunelm reported a 4% increase in fourth-quarter revenues and 3.8% annual sales growth to £1.77bn for the year to 28 June. New CEO Clodagh Moriarty joins in October. · DFS reported a 10% year-on-year rise in second-half orders, lifting gross sales by 5%. The group expects full-year profit slightly above £29m, up from £10.5m last year. CEO Tim Stacey credited cost control, stronger margins and solid performance from the DFS and Sofology brands. 💥 💥 💥 We're delighted to launch our latest Risk and Resilience Report with Barclays Corporate Banking. The report outlines a retail resilience framework, quantifying perceived risks across 7 key areas. Cyber and data security comes out top, followed by operational and financial risks. Our modelling shows a significant rise in operating costs - including National Insurance and Living Wage uplifts - alongside broader increases across property, logistics and central functions The report is packed full of insights touching areas such as AI, geo-political instability and supply chains. Download the report below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/emFFv6Kj

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