Liquor Store Price Tags: 3 Benefits of Electronic Shelf Labels

The wine and spirits retail industry continues to evolve. Consumer behavior has changed and the need for accurate and up-to-date information about products during the ever more complex purchasing journey has become paramount.

Liquor store owners can cater to a clientele that wants access to information fast by installing digital price tags and other digital signage within stores. It’s a sure way to please environmentally conscious consumers, improve inventory management and make essential information accessible. 

Join us as we show you three ways that using electronic shelf labels (ESLs) for your liquor store price tags can refine your customers’ in-store experience and increase your company profits.

Go green: support sustainability and please your customers

From organic vineyards to an overall interest in sustainability, the wine industry has been showing a consistently greater commitment to going green over the past several years. 

Alongside grassroots efforts to help the planet, eco-friendly wine and spirits packaging has also been growing in popularity. Retail stores can participate and show their environmental commitment to customers by using paperless electronic shelf labels, and by digitizing messaging and signage within stores. 

 Save money: manage your inventory better and drive sales

The more efficiently you manage your inventory, the less money you lose on missing or misplaced products, lost sales and badly-managed ordering. The cost of electronic shelf labels is minimal when you consider that they make it possible to update price changes instantly, so that you can manage inventory without cumbersome and time-consuming manual labour. 

Wireless display labels include monitoring and notification functions. You can identify products in real-time and set up stock alerts. The competitive advantage to the wine and spirits industry is undeniable. Electronic shelf labels lower costs and drive margins, while building customer trust.

Simplify choice and accessibility for your customers

Electronic shelf labels have a place in every sizable retail store, but they can be a special advantage in large-scale supermarkets and liquor stores, where customers face a wide variety of choice and want to find important information on price tags fast. 

In the wine and spirit industry, cost matters. As more and more individuals consume retail-purchased alcoholic beverages at home, it is important that these consumers can immediately and accurately assess pricing information in-store. While the brand continues to be the defining factor in consumer purchasing choice, the struggling economy means many consumers will want to know exactly what they are paying for.

Electronic shelf labels are available in various formats, allowing you to customize the shopping experience within your store and even adjust visual formats to suit your customers. Graphic shelf labels come in high-definition display and can accommodate various additional features, including SmartTAG Power+ which will increase the visibility of promotions, and a built-in NFC function which allows customers to access more information about a product by tapping their smartphone on the label.

JRTech is your partner in cutting-edge electronic shelf label technology

Electronic shelf labels are essential to modern large-scale retail stores. The wine and spirits industry is moving forward to embrace sustainable practices and inclusivity, making digital technology the logical next step in improving in-store experiences. Better inventory management and improved shelving and stock alerts can only help increase profits, and electronic shelf labels are an investment that is certain to bring significant returns.

Contact JRTech today to learn how you can implement digital price tags in your liquor store.

5 Types of Retail Sales Promotions and How to Apply Them

Retail sales promotions are a category of marketing tactics that today’s consumers trust and respond to. Despite the growth of multichannel and digital methods for communicating with customers, retailers still need to offer their target audience an extra reason to take the next step and make a purchase. Sales promotions do just that. 

JRTech explains how 5 types of time-tested retail sales promotions can help you increase retail purchases by both new and returning customers if you implement them with the right tools for the digital age.

What are sales promotions?

A sales promotion is just one tactic within an overall marketing strategy. Sales promotions have a clear goal: increase sales to move inventory.

How do sales promotions motivate buyers? By offering shoppers a deal: they can make a purchase at a lower price or get an extra product at no cost. 

The following ideas for retail sales promotions may look familiar, but their utility remains undeniable. These tactics are proven to offer customers extra value, boost brand image and increase sales.

1. Giveaways

A giveaway is a great way to make customers feel appreciated and move excess inventory. There are four main types of giveaways:

Coupons

Retail stores can send virtual coupons to first-time shoppers or offer them to customers who spend a minimum amount of money on a purchase. 

Cross-selling works well with coupons if you target consumers based on their purchase history. For example, in a pharmacy, a consumer who buys a product specific to senior citizens could receive a coupon for another product relevant to the same consumer group.

Receiving a coupon that is geared toward their personal purchase history can make a consumer feel noticed and valued. An offer that feels exclusive will go further to motivate customers to return and make another purchase.

Gift with purchase

A gift with purchase involves giving away a free product when a customer makes a qualifying purchase. To make this type of giveaway lucrative, retailers will need to choose their minimum purchase requirements carefully, and focus on giving away only surplus stock. 

It is also possible to send branded gifts to customers who make a purchase over a certain amount. These will remind customers of your brand, and if created thoughtfully, inspire an emotional attachment. Examples include pens, keychains and magnets, but you could also choose another product that is more directly related to your product line.

Contests

Another way to structure a giveaway is in the context of a contest. Contest entry rules can include a minimum purchase or an exchange of information. Asking for an email address, for example, can help you improve your knowledge of your target consumer audience and give you a means to communicate with your buyers in the future. Contests are especially well-suited to promotion (both organic and paid) via social media. 

The contest winner or winners will receive a gift certificate or product and you can further boost your brand image by congratulating the lucky individual(s) across various communication channels.

Multi-buys

Multi-buys involve presenting a giveaway as a “2 for 1” promotion.  Multibuys include BOGO (Buy One Get One) and BOGOF (Buy One Get One Free) and usually involve offering either a very large discount on a second related product, or a completely free related product.

This type of giveaway only works if you sell products or services that are logically related and that are a certain size and price. For example, it is unlikely that a ‘buy one sofa get one sofa free’ promotion would work! Consider whether your product is used as a set or is a near-commodity like a drink or decoration. Grocery stores often have products that can work well in a multi-buy promotion, such as related cooking utensils or commonly combined food items. 

Retail stores can even combine multibuys to make the offer even more enticing. For example, you can offer customers a ‘buy two and get the third at half price’ promotion at the same time as a ‘buy three and get the fourth free’ deal.

2. Percentage and dollar amount price promotions

Percentage discounts are among the most popular and effective types of retail promotions. Storewide percentage discounts are proven to work best to increase conversions – it’s easy to track profits and adjust this type of discount as needed, depending on the type of marketing media you are using. 

You can also implement a similar promotion with a specific dollar amount, such as ‘$5’ off. Of course, you will need to adjust the amount of the discount according to the perceived value of your products and your desired profit margin. While sitewide percentage discounts tend to work better, a dollar amount discount is also very effective.

Digital technologies like Pricer electronic shelf labels from JRTech Solutions can be used to streamline promotion management. With the ability to update prices quickly and easily, you can save valuable time that would otherwise be spent manually changing prices.

 3. Seasonal offers

Seasonal promotions have a built-in sense of urgency because they are only valid for a limited amount of time. Seasons and special events can differ in length – consider the difference between a spring promotion or a sale on New Year’s Day – but consumers are always aware that there is a time-limit.

Some seasonal promotions are directly related to your target audience’s lifestyle and demographic, like buying back to school supplies, while others are more general and not necessarily related to your specific product. For example, an electronics store could still benefit from throwing a summer sale, even though electronics are used year-round.

Check your competition before setting up a sales promotion of this type. Examine what they do well, and what works. Keep in mind that there may be seasonal opportunities specific to your product that your competitors will not be able to implement. Get creative, and know your own brand inside out.

Promoting seasonal sales can be expensive if you rely on traditional channels. Paper flyers and posters that are only relevant for a few days can result in a lot of waste, which hurts your brand image in today’s market of environmentally aware consumers. In addition, once the season is over, there is nothing less appealing than seeing leftover print media still in circulation. Digital signage is a cost-effective solution for promoting retail sales in-store that accommodates easy updates and the integration of compelling graphics.

4. Free Shipping

Ecommerce stores and dark stores rely on shipping to get their products to consumers. A free shipping promotion can drive a lot of conversions, but some retailers say this type of retail promotion is only effective if it is applied as a blanket. For example, offering free shipping on a base purchase amount works better than offering free shipping on specific products.

5. Loyalty programs

If you’re looking to increase your sales over the long term, loyalty programs are the type of retail sales promotion you need to implement. By earning points every time they shop with you, consumers can look forward to free products, discounts or other perks (like free shipping) when they return to your store.

Start small when you implement a loyalty program, so that your offer doesn’t hurt your profits. Track sales and points with the help of digital technology so that you can adjust your promotion quickly and easily as needed. Make sure customers are aware of the precise rules for redeeming points, and make sure there are no loopholes that could allow expired or excessive points to be used against purchases. 

JRTech offers digital solutions for retail sales promotion 

Regardless of the type of promotion you choose, remember to consider your goals. Do you want to retain loyal customers, or are you more focused on building brand awareness? Coupons and branded gifts can keep consumers coming back for more, while announcing a giveaway on social media will increase your audience. Loyalty programs involve customers over the long term, while a seasonal sale can encourage new customers to try your product for the first time. 

Contact JRTech for digital solutions that improve in-store communication and inventory management. Our world-renowned electronic shelf labels are an effective solution for retail store managers who need to change prices quickly and efficiently to accommodate promotions.

Retail Communication Strategy: 4 Ways to Improve In-Store Communication

Retail marketing is changing rapidly to meet new challenges and evolving customer expectations. Having a winning in-store communication strategy is an essential part of guaranteeing success and keeping a competitive edge.

There are a variety of ways to implement digital solutions to make your in-store communication more effective and efficient. JRTech explains how to take your in-store communications to the next level.

What is in-store communication?

There are two types of communication that are important in retail: internal communication and in-store communication.

Internal communication refers to the communication between a retail business’ headquarters and individual retail outlets. Depending on the number of stores a company has, and how far apart they are located, communications between staff at the directorial level and individual store managers can become complicated, ineffective and time-consuming. 

In-store communication refers to the communication between a brand and its customers within a physical store. This can include everything from promotions to product information to display prices.

For practical purposes, there is a link between both types of communication: if communication between headquarters and store managers or between store managers and employees (internal communication) is stalled or inefficient, stores are less able to communicate accurate and timely information to customers (in-store communication).

In-store communication is the final step in a chain of communication that has a huge impact on retail success.

Common problems related to in-store communication

In-store communication is vital to maintaining a positive brand experience for customers and a consistent and efficient sales strategy for a company.

Unfortunately, many retailers experience problems related to in-store communications. For example:

  • Uninformed employees: Employees are sometimes given incorrect information, which they pass on to customers. This can be the result of poor internal communication or outdated methods of presenting and updating information within the store environment. 
  • Dissatisfied customers: Customers who cannot get the information they want or need about the company, products, promotions or policies will feel they have not had the brand experience they were expecting.
  • Lost or reduced sales: When prices are not updated or displayed correctly, promotions are not presented effectively, or communications clash within the store environment, consumers lose trust in the brand. The result is lost or reduced sales.

 How to improve in-store communication

Traditional communication between managers and employees relies on verbal and paper-based messages. This type of communication is often cumbersome and slow, resulting in confusion and delays. For example, informing employees of an update to store policy via a pamphlet distributed in staff rooms is not 100% effective. If employees do not see or read the pamphlet, they could remain uninformed about vital developments and misinform clients.

Likewise, informing customers of promotions and price changes via paper posters and tags also requires time and effort to implement. The solution lies in digital technology.

Retailers who rely on digital signage and messaging can benefit from many advantages: digital communication is fast, efficient and easy to implement.

Here are a few of the most effective strategies for making your in-store communication better by going digital:

1. Set up a corporate intranet

In-store communications and internal communications are dependent on one another. To ensure quick and effective communication between staff and management, some companies choose to create a web page that is only accessible to people within the organization.

There are many ways you can use a corporate intranet:

  • To provide training and tutorials
  • To notify staff of updates to promotions and branding
  • To make documentation and handbooks available in reliable digital format
  • To forge closer bonds between leadership and staff through sharing of information and creation of virtual events like Q&A sessions, contents and more.

Segmenting your intranet into spaces, departments or groups will make it even easier to manage messaging and information sharing within the staff community, which in turn will lead to better in-store communication with customers.

To encourage staff to use a company intranet, create a community by posting interesting on-brand visuals and engaging content:

  • Broadcast company and individual accomplishments
  • List community events
  • Post job openings and hirings
  • Introduce themed days of the week

2. Implement digital signage

Digital signage includes everything from price tags to in-store promotional screens. Gone are the days of printing expensive signs and tags that only lasted a few days, weeks or months. Digital signage reduces waste and allows for coherent, up-to-date communication with customers. 

Installing digital signage can:

  • Prevent in-store crowding by guiding shoppers to the right isles 
  • Allow you to quickly update signage content in real-time with the click of a button (without making staff install and uninstall hard-to-reach posters one at a time)
  • Facilitate showcasing of high-profit margin products and limited-time deals to encourage impulse shopping
  • Make it possible to implement data-driven advertising that you can tweak to improve interactions

3. Set up digital POS

One of the biggest challenges to internal and in-store communication is keeping prices up to date and maintaining a seamless and efficient purchasing experience.

Setting up a digital POS (point-of-sale system) makes it possible to check out a customer wherever you are using a POS app and an internet-enabled device, such as a tablet or phone. Other digitized tools offer similar advantages.

The biggest advantage of a digital POS is that it allows you to access price changes on a large scale, implemented instantly.

 4. Digitize multiple communication channels

When you digitize multiple communication channels, you, your staff and your customers will benefit from communication that is quick, consistent, clear and brand-centered. 

  • Instant communication: Messages that affect customer or staff safety, such as public health notifications, can be distributed in real time and across many channels making it possible to take appropriate action immediately.
  • Consistent communication: When headquarters communicate important information to store managers via digital means, multiple locations can receive the same message at exactly the same time, making it possible to transmit consistent brand, promotional and price messaging to consumers in different locations. For example, adjusting prices to follow inflation can pose a nightmare, but digital price tags make it possible to change tags quickly as many times as necessary.
  • Clear communication: Electronic shelf labels (ESLs) allow stores to indicate prices and price changes clearly and efficiently. Without the delay of replacing prices manually, staff and managers can be assured of a coherent customer experience. It is widely acknowledged that visual communication is more effective than written words, and digital signage makes dynamic displays appealing and memorable.
  • Brand-based visuals: The expense of producing printed visuals with brand-specific colours and images is significant. Digital signage allows a brand to communicate effective and attractive visuals that directly portray brand elements, reinforcing loyalty and company image for both employees and consumers.

Make your in-store communications digital with JRTech

Retailers looking to improve their in-store communication can gain a competitive edge with digital technology. By implementing digital pricing solutions and digital signage, and maintaining a corporate intranet, retailers and consumers can benefit from quick, clear and effective messaging. 

Contact JRTech to learn about our digital signage and technology solutions. As a leader in digital pricing technology, we can offer you the best equipment for in-store communication in today’s competitive retail environment.

9 In-Store Sales Strategies for Grocery Stores

Marketing and advertising are essential for any successful business, and supermarkets are no exception. Like any other business, grocery stores in Canada employ marketing strategies to draw in customers, build loyalty and keep them coming back.

Are you looking for simple yet effective supermarket sales strategies to help you attract more shoppers? Look no further! In this article, we present the most effective in-store grocery marketing tactics that can help you increase profitability.

Promotional signage and advertisements

In-store supermarket signage and advertisements can be an effective way to let your customers know about any promotional offers in specific areas of the store. With targeted promotions on digital screens or point-of-purchase displays, you can ensure that customers know exactly where to go to find the offers they’re looking for.

Seasonal marketing campaigns

Seasonal marketing is an effective way to maximize the impact of your grocery store marketing campaigns by leveraging annual events and holidays. By creating campaigns that are tailored to the specific occasions, you can ensure that your messaging is timely, relevant and resonates with shoppers. 

This form of marketing allows you to capitalize on the distinct interests and buying behaviors associated with seasonal events, ensuring maximum reach and visibility.

Pricing promotions

If there’s one thing grocery shoppers love, it’s a great bargain. One of the most effective marketing strategies for supermarkets is to offer promotional discounts on select items for a limited time only. 

This will encourage customers to buy in bulk and take advantage of the savings. Plus, offering promotional discounts is a great way to attract new customers and reward loyal customers. By capitalizing on these limited-time deals, you can increase sales and create a loyal customer base.

Digital technologies like electronic shelf labels offered by JRTech Solutions make managing promotions easier than ever before. Prices can be quickly and easily updated as many times as desired, freeing up valuable time that would otherwise be spent manually changing prices. 

Moreover, when you use grocery store digital price tags, four of the most common colors can be configured to make promotions more noticeable to shoppers.

Free grocery product samples

Have you ever strolled into a grocery store and stumbled upon a delightful little setup offering free samples when you enter? In-store food sampling is an excellent way to entice shoppers and create a buzz in your store. 

Free samples are a great opportunity for stores to introduce shoppers to new products and may encourage them to leave with an item they’ve sampled, even if they came in for only basic items. 

By giving shoppers the chance to sample a product, you can show them the value of the product first-hand and create an incentive for them to purchase it.

Impulse buying at checkout

If you have children, then you know how effective this strategy can be for adding extra expenses to your grocery bill. Often, impulse purchases take the form of the convenient products located close to the checkout area.

Ideally, impulse products should be small, affordable and highly desirable. They should be able to easily draw attention and entice shoppers to make a purchase. 

Products with an impulse purchase appeal are convenient for shoppers to quickly add to their carts or give to the cashier.

Strategic placement of products on shelf

Products that are placed at eye level have a much higher chance of being seen and purchased by shoppers, making it the most valuable shelf space in any grocery store. 

By strategically positioning specific products at eye level, you can dramatically increase the visibility and sales of high margin products to maximize profits.

If your grocery store has smart shelves installed, you can even verify planogram compliance to ensure the most lucrative products are always located where they should be.

Free Wi-Fi and seating area

Offering shoppers leisure and convenience in the form of free Wi-Fi and a lounge area not only encourages them to stay in the grocery store longer, but also adds to their overall shopping experience. 

By providing these perks, you can give your customers the chance to browse and purchase items with ease and comfort, creating an environment where they are more likely to return often, and spend more money.

Grocery rewards card

Grocery store rewards cards are an incredibly effective tool for creating shopper loyalty and incentivizing purchases. With a rewards card, shoppers can take advantage of exclusive coupons and promotions that are only available to card holders.

By offering exclusive discounts and special offers, customers are more likely to come back and make repeat purchases. Shoppers can therefore enjoy substantial savings and benefits that will keep them coming back time and time again.

Ambiance, music and lighting

Creating the right atmosphere can make a huge difference to the overall grocery shopping experience. By investing in an inviting atmosphere, supermarket retailers can encourage customers to stay longer, browse more, and ultimately, spend more.

Background music in supermarkets can create a calming atmosphere, reducing the sense of being observed in public spaces. It can also soften the unpleasant technical noises such as cash registers opening or droning ventilation systems, creating a more pleasant shopping experience.

Supermarket lighting is another important part of creating an inviting shopping experience for customers. Good lighting can be used to strategically highlight the desirability of food in different sections, creating an attractive visual presentation that will draw the consumer’s eye to the most carefully displayed products.

Optimize your supermarket sales strategies with JRTech Solutions

JRTech Solutions is a North American supplier of digital pricing systems from industry leader Pricer. Our electronic shelf label and digital signage solutions are designed to maximize efficiency, accuracy and customer satisfaction while minimizing waste in grocery stores. 

Reach out to us to find out how our technology can optimize your in-store marketing strategy!