Lidl is trialling electronic shelf labels nationwide, in a bid to reduce the need for employees to manually change prices in stores.
The electronic shelf labels have been introduced in around 30 of the budget supermarket's branches.
However, a date is yet to be confirmed for a wider rollout - we will update this article when we know more.
Lidl says this will improve efficiency by allowing staff to focus on other tasks, with the electronic shelf labels also being more environmentally friendly as they save paper reports the Grocer Magazine.
Eagle-eyed shoppers have spotted the technology in Lidl’s London Tooting store on everyday own-label lines including frozen peas and tomato passata.
Lidl’s standard tier own-label 500g passata was cut in price from 49p to 45p, one of the signs highlighted.
This put it at the same price as Aldi’s standard tier own-label 500g passata on that day.
Rival Aldi has also been trialling electronic shelf labels in a number of stores since 2021.
The budget retailer said they were now gradually being rolled out to all Aldi stores.
Tesco and Sainsbury’s have previously trialled electronic shelf labels but do not currently have them in stores.
Morrisons have them in a small number of stores, including its two newest branches, in Chelmsford, Essex, and Great Park in Newcastle.
Lidl has recently asked shoppers for help in finding locations for new stores.
It also shared a wishlist of over 1,000 areas in the UK where it would like to open a store.
The discount supermarket chain currently has 950 stores across England, Scotland and Wales and wants to increase this to 1,100 sites by the end of 2025.
The supermarket said it was looking for “prominent locations” with “strong pedestrian or traffic flow” measuring more than 1.5 acres for standalone shops and up to four acres for mixed-use sites.
It also said each location should be able to accommodate 18,000 and 26,500 sq ft and 100 dedicated car parking spaces.
Lidl GB Chief Development Officer, Richard Taylor, added: “Our store expansion has been and continues to be unparalleled.
“In the last three months alone, we’ve opened 15 new stores – more than any other retailer, and in 2022 we welcomed customers through the doors of over 50 new stores.
“But we won’t be stopping there. Our vision is to have over 1,100 stores in the future, but really there’s no ceiling on our ambition or growth potential.”
You can find the full wishlist from Lidl here.
