A HUGE supermarket chain is set to make a major change across its nearly 2,400 stores – but it will leave shoppers divided.
Co-op is replacing paper product tags with electronic labels throughout its whole estate over the coming months.
GettyCo-op is rolling out electronic labels across its whole store estate[/caption]The retailer has already made the change in 340 branches but will roll out the tags more widely.
The chain said 1,500 stores will have the labels by the end of the year and will be rolled out across all its nearly 2,400 by the end of 2026.
We have asked Co-op if all labels will be replaced with electronic ones in stores and will update this story when we’ve heard back.
The electronic labels are designed and created by VusionGroup, which also works with Asda.
Steven Logue, Co-op’s head of operations, said: “With convenience at the heart of everything we do Co-op is committed to continually exploring innovative technology that can improve how we operate.”
Co-op said the new electronic labels will show allergen and nutritional information and products’ country of origin, as well as deals and savings.
It said they will also reduce paper waste and “enhance the transparency of product information” overall.
However, the move to digitise the labels across its store estate is bound to leave shoppers divided.
Fears have previously been raised the use of electronic labels could lead to “dynamic pricing” – when prices are raised based on customer demand.
The labels can make it harder for shoppers to spot cut-price items too, as they’re not as visible as the paper yellow, orange or red stickers well-known by bargain hunters.
Co-op joins a host of other supermarkets who have launched electronic labels in stores.
Lidl said it would roll out the digital labels across all its stores before the end of 2024 following a successful trial at 35 branches.
Fellow discounter Aldi has already introduced digital screens in its stores.
Meanwhile, Asda is currently the digital labels at a store in Manchester.
OTHER CO-OP NEWS
Co-op was one of a number of retailers hit by a cyber attack recently which saw supermarket stock and customer data affected.
However, by May 14, the supermarket chain confirmed it was in a “recovery phase” and ready to turn online orders back on.
Customers had been complaining of shortages of fresh produce, ready meals, yoghurts and confectionery since the incident began at the end of April.
The attack also pushed contactless card payments offline in nearly one in 10 stores, forcing customers to pay with cash or enter their PINs at the till.
The retailer also confirmed customers’ private details were stolen during the attack after its IT systems were compromised.
Some customers’ names, contact information and dates of birth were exposed, however passwords, credit card details and transaction information were not.
Meanwhile, last month, Co-op shoppers started spotting new labels on meat packaging stating they were “protected by GPS”.
The security measures were taken in a bid to track thieves stealing the higher-priced items from stores.
How to bag a bargain
SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain…
Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with.
Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks.
Sales are when you can pick up a real steal.
Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on.
Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer.
Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping.
Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out.
And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
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