How to Pick Your Store's Best Electronic Shelf Label System

As retail continues to evolve in the digital age, electronic shelf labels (ESLs) have emerged as a game-changing solution for brick-and-mortar stores looking to streamline pricing, improve accuracy, and enhance customer experience. Unlike traditional paper tags, ESLs offer real-time updates, dynamic pricing, and seamless inventory integration. But with so many solutions available in the market, choosing the right digital price tags for your store requires a thoughtful approach. In this article, we’ll break down the key factors to consider when selecting an electronic shelf label system—and why solutions like Stack IOT are leading the way.

1. Understand Your Store’s Needs

Before diving into product specifications, take a moment to assess your store’s unique requirements:

• Store size and layout: A large supermarket with thousands of SKUs will have very different ESL needs compared to a small boutique store.
• Frequency of price changes: Stores that change prices often—like electronics or grocery stores—benefit the most from real-time updates.
• Integration goals: Do you need the ESL system to integrate with your POS, ERP, or inventory management system?

Understanding these needs will help you narrow down ESL systems that are best suited to your operational priorities.

2. Evaluate Display Technology

Electronic shelf labels generally use e-ink or LCD displays. E-ink offers better readability under various lighting conditions and consumes less power, making it ideal for most retail environments. LCD displays, on the other hand, may support color and animations but use more energy. For most stores, e-ink ESLs strike the best balance between visibility and efficiency.

3. Connectivity and Infrastructure

A reliable ESL system needs robust wireless communication. Leading providers, like Stack IOT, offer secure and scalable network solutions using technologies such as:

• 2.4GHz proprietary radio
• BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy)
• Wi-Fi or Sub-GHz frequencies

Look for a system that guarantees low-latency, stable connectivity, even in areas with heavy foot traffic or metal shelving.

4. Battery Life and Maintenance

One of the biggest advantages of electronic shelf labels is their long battery life—typically 5 to 10 years. However, this varies by display size, update frequency, and communication protocol. Choose a vendor that offers power-efficient ESLs and provides transparent details about battery performance. Minimal maintenance means lower total cost of ownership and fewer disruptions to daily operations.

5. Software and Integration

The heart of any ESL system is the management software. Make sure the software is:

• User-friendly: Easy to use by store staff without extensive training.
• Scalable: Supports multiple stores and thousands of SKUs.
• Secure and cloud-ready: Enables remote access and over-the-air updates.

Solutions like Stack IOT shine here by offering cloud-based management platforms that easily integrate with your existing retail systems, automating price changes and reducing human error.

6. Customization and Design

Every store has its brand identity. ESLs should enhance—not clash with—that image. Look for options with customizable templates, logos, font sizes, and color-coded alerts. Stack IOT’s ESLs are sleek and modern, allowing seamless integration into various retail aesthetics.

7. Support and Reliability

​Even the most advanced system needs dependable customer support. Opt for providers that offer:

• 24/7 technical support
• On-site setup and training
• Warranty and after-sales service

Reliable support ensures your store gets the most out of its digital transformation.

Final Thoughts

Investing in the right electronic shelf label system can transform the way your store manages pricing, promotions, and inventory. By focusing on performance, integration, and usability, you can find a solution that boosts efficiency and improves customer satisfaction. Companies like Stack IOT are setting new benchmarks in this space, offering scalable and intuitive digital price tag solutions for modern retail.

Don’t just look at the price—consider the long-term value, compatibility, and reliability of your ESL provider. With the right system in place, your store can stay agile, competitive, and future-ready.