Are you sick of peeling old grocery store labels off shelves, wrestling with plastic label holders, and manually updating every aisle in your store every time your suppliers’ pricing changes?
There’s a better way.
With electronic shelf labels (ESL), you can update prices instantly, track inventory accurately, and keep customers informed while they shop — all without manual updates.
But are they worth the investment? And what do they cost? Let's break it down.
What Are Electronic Shelf Labels? + 4 Benefits for Grocery Stores
ESLs are small digital displays that replace paper shelf tags. They attach directly to your shelving, connect wirelessly to your store's pricing or inventory software, and update in real time.
Most models run on long-lasting batteries, and some offer solar-powered options.
Here's what that means in practice for your grocery store:
- Saves time on price updates: Manually updating prices can be tedious. Swapping out tags across an entire store takes hours, if not days. ESLs let you skip the hassle by updating thousands of prices in seconds. The time saved is huge for grocery stores with frequent promotions or price changes.
- Increases pricing accuracy: Shoppers notice when your pricing is reliable. Seeing the same price at checkout as they did on the shelf builds confidence and trust. With ESLs, you can make this happen every time. Consistency encourages customers to return, knowing they can count on your store for fair pricing.
- Adapts quickly to market changes: ESLs make adjusting prices easy. Drop prices on perishable items before they expire, respond to supplier changes, or roll out flash sales without breaking a sweat.
- Boosts sustainability: ESLs tackle waste by replacing disposable paper and plastic labels with reusable digital displays. Over time, this can lower your grocery store’s environmental impact.
In other words, ESLs modernize grocery store operations. If you’re ready to upgrade, they’re a smart investment that pays off in efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability.
Related Read: 5 Top Grocery Store Technology Innovations To Implement
How Much Do Electronic Shelf Labels Cost?
ESL pricing typically runs from $5 to $20 per label for standard units, though larger full-color displays can reach $30 or more. But the label itself is just the starting point.
Here's what drives your total investment:
- Type of label (e-ink vs. LCD): E-ink labels are simple, energy-efficient, and perfect for displaying basic information. They’re great for stores prioritizing readability and cost savings. On the other hand, LCD labels shine when bold visuals or supermarket promotional graphics are a priority, offering vibrant colors and dynamic displays. Choosing between the two depends on your store’s goals — clarity or flair.
- Label size and display options: Bigger labels or those with advanced display capabilities typically come with a higher price tag. A smaller monochrome label, like a 2.7-inch e-ink model, might cost around $7. For something more eye-catching, such as a 4.2-inch color label with graphic capabilities, prices can reach $15 or more.
- Installation and setup requirements: A smaller grocery store might manage installation in house, keeping costs minimal. Larger and more complex store layouts may require professional installation, which can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Factor this into your budget based on the scale of your project.
- Software licensing and ongoing fees: ESL systems usually require software to manage updates. Some providers charge a flat annual fee, while others base their pricing on the number of labels or locations. These licensing fees are essential to maintaining the system, but can add a recurring cost to your initial investment.
- Maintenance and upgrade potential: You’ll need to plan for replacements or upgrades over time. For example, switching to color displays or replacing batteries every few years adds to long-term costs. Keeping these potential expenses in mind helps ensure your ESLs remain functional and up to date.
Top Electronic Shelf Label Providers for Grocery Stores
Below are two of the top ESL providers in the market, along with the grocery point of sale (POS) system built to work seamlessly alongside them.
Best for: Grocery stores that want a POS system with built-in ESL compatibility
IT Retail is a POS system built specifically for grocery stores. It covers everything from inventory tracking to shelf label integration, so you have what you need to keep your store running smoothly in one place.
Key features for grocery stores:
- ESL integration: Sync with electronic shelf labels to enable real-time price updates and effortless pricing management.
- Inventory management: Track perishable and nonperishable items in real time to avoid waste and keep shelves stocked.
- Integrated scales: Connect scales seamlessly for precise weighing and pricing, whether it’s produce or bulk items.
- All-in-one POS solution: Combine all these features into a single platform for easier management of your grocery store operations.
Pricing: We provide custom quotes tailored to your store’s specific needs. Use our Build and Price tool to get started with a clear and transparent estimate.
Best for: Retailers seeking a reliable ESL system with centralized management
With Pricer AB, you can update prices across every shelf in your store in seconds. It's a straightforward system built for retailers who want accurate pricing without the extra legwork.
Key features for retailers:
- Automatic price updates: Update prices across multiple stores in seconds, saving time and reducing errors.
- Customizable displays: Choose between segment and graphic displays to match your branding and store layout.
- Remote management: Change prices from a central system effortlessly, even for multiple locations.
- Optical wireless communication: Keep operations running smoothly with Pricer's optical wireless technology.
Pricing: Contact Pricer to get a custom quote tailored to your store’s needs.
Best for: Retailers that want flexible label designs
Solum ESL gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to how your shelf labels look and function. With several label types to choose from and long battery life, it's a practical option for stores that want reliable performance without a lot of maintenance.
Key features for retailers:
- Multiple label types: Support LED, graphic, and button labels to suit different store setups and needs.
- Advanced wireless communication: Get fast, reliable updates for real-time pricing and inventory changes.
- Energy-efficient design: Extend battery life while maintaining excellent performance.
- High-resolution displays: Deliver crisp, easy-to-read visuals that help customers navigate your store more easily.
Pricing: Contact Solum ESL directly for a custom quote based on your store's size and requirements.
How To Decide on the Best Electronic Shelf Label for Your Store
Now that you’re familiar with ESLs, how do you decide if they’re the right investment for your store?
Here are some things to think about:
- Assess your store size and layout: Large stores or those with precise shelving setups will need more labels and potentially a more detailed installation process. Walk through your aisles and identify every shelf that needs a label. Make a list, noting any unique needs, like refrigerated sections, so you can ensure compatibility.
- Evaluate your store’s pricing update frequency: Stores running frequent promotions or adjusting prices often will see major time savings with ESLs. If your pricing is steady, ESLs might not be your top priority. Consider how much time you spend updating prices manually and compare it to how quickly ESLs can do the job.
- Consider budget and long-term ROI: Yes, ESLs are an investment, but the labor savings and error reduction can add up over time. Get quotes from reputable providers and ask for case studies showing return on investment (ROI) for stores similar to yours. Don’t forget to include maintenance and software licensing in your calculations.
- Gauge customer experience improvement opportunities: Accurate prices and clear product information matter to shoppers. ESLs can display promotional details, discounts, or even stock availability. Think about how you can use this technology to make your customers' shopping experience faster, easier, and more reliable.
- Determine compatibility with existing tech systems: Integration is key. Check if the ESL system works with your current POS and inventory software. Ask vendors about the installation process and whether it includes training for your staff to use the system effectively. A smooth integration ensures no disruption to your daily operations.
Related Read: 6 Reasons Why Your Grocery Store Needs a POS System
Ready To Bring ESLs and a Smarter POS Together?
Electronic shelf labels are only as effective as the system behind them. If your POS can't keep up with real-time price changes or sync seamlessly with your ESLs, you're leaving a lot of that value on the table.
That's where IT Retail comes in. Built for grocery stores, IT Retail connects directly with your ESLs to keep pricing accurate, inventory up to date, and your team focused on running a great grocery store.
Want to get an idea of how IT Retail can fit your grocery store's needs and budget? Get a custom quote today.