Family-run Kelly’s Group, which operates 12 stores under the Henderson Group franchises of Eurospar, Spar and Vivo in mid-Ulster, has installed EDGEPos Electronic Shelf Edge Labels (ESELs) across its estate after trials proved that it could help the business make significant time and cost savings.
Eurospar Maghera in County Derry (pictured) is the last of the Kelly Group’s stores to be fitted and marks Henderson Technology’s 100th installation of the system.
The Kelly family first trialled ESELs in their Spar store in Castledawson, County Londonderry. They then began to look at the cost of ESELs over seven years versus the savings that they would see in store with employee hours and increased margins, and quickly came to the decision that ESELs would be a great investment. After piloting the first store and reaping the benefits quickly, they decided to install EDGEPoS ESELs across the other eleven stores and finished the complete project in six weeks.
Lauryn Kelly-Tallon, Kelly’s Group store manager, says: “Initially we felt it was going to be a huge investment, but after doing a lot of research and getting support from Henderson Technology, we saw how well they would work in our stores.”
The new tech has given the retailer the ability to create its own pricing batch files, which has allowed the business to instantly increase margins across all twelve stores.
“One of the biggest drivers in installing EDGEPoS ESELs was to save on staff wages,” said Lauryn. “Since installation it has meant we have been able to use our staff in other parts of the store and in some stores reduce the time needed on the shop floor by up to a quarter.
“We are in a world where retail technology is coming on leaps and bounds, and our younger staff have engaged particularly with ESELs. Staff engagement is key to the addition of any innovative technology instore.”
Staff at the twelve stores were excited from the get-go, particularly the managers, who have the ability to instantly action promotion changeovers. Lauryn said that everyone instore has been incredibly positive about the upgrade. “Promotion changeovers used to take at least one and a half days per store per changeover and now it’s done at the touch of a button.
“Pricing accuracy is 100% correct across all products in all stores. This has eliminated customer complaints on pricing. It’s a game changer! The ESELs look uniformed, and the customer can identify deals and promotions easily. Our staff no longer have to leave the shop floor to check back-office prices.
“With the cost of living, inflation and rise of energy costs across the stores, the ESELs have had an incredibly positive impact on helping with this. We sit down every quarter and review staff wages and hours, and the investment into ESELs is enabling us to review these more accurately.”
Lauryn recommends that other retailers explore the technology. “Don’t think about it – just do it!” she she says. “In the end it was an easy decision for us as a company and business. We have gained the GP margin; we have become more efficient, and it looks so professional. Working in partnership with Henderson Technology has meant we have perfected the process for twelve stores, so this should give any retailer or group the confidence to go with EDGEPoS ESELs if it’s something they are thinking of investing in.”
No comments yet