Electronic shelf labels in Morocco: ESL guide

Changing a store’s prices by hand takes time: printing, cutting, replacing every label, checking none was missed. Electronic shelf labels (ESL) remove that work: the price is changed once in the store software, then appears automatically on the shelf.

What is an electronic shelf label?

It is a small screen fixed to the shelf in place of the paper label. It shows the product name, its price and, depending on the format, the price per kilo, a promotion, a barcode or a QR code. Most use an e-paper (electronic ink) screen: very readable, like paper, and low on energy, as it only uses power when the display changes.

How do electronic shelf labels work?

An electronic label system links three elements: the store management software, a cloud platform and a base station installed in the store, which communicates wirelessly with the labels.

• The price or promotion is changed in the management software (for example TOPSYS).
• The update is sent to the labels’ cloud platform.
• The store’s base station sends it wirelessly to the relevant labels.
• The label shows the new price, and the update is confirmed in the dashboard.

The benefits for a store

• The same price on the shelf and at the checkout: both come from the same source.
• Less time spent printing and replacing paper labels.
• Scheduled promotions that appear and disappear on the planned dates.
• A clean, consistent display across every aisle and every store.
• Extra features: LED out-of-stock alerts, product location, QR code to the product page.

In Morocco, displaying prices is mandatory: electronic labels make it easy to comply in every aisle.

Consumer protection law no. 31-08 (article 3) requires informing customers of product prices by marking, labelling or display, and decree no. 2-12-503 of 2013 sets out the details. Inspections cover price display and promotional operations in particular: labels that are always up to date reduce the risk of a gap between the displayed price and the price charged.

Which formats to choose?

Labels come in many sizes. The choice depends on the product and how much information you need to show.

• Small formats (about 1.5 to 2.1 inches): small products, dense aisles, cosmetics.
• Medium formats (2.6 to 3.5 inches): most grocery aisles.
• Large formats (4.2 to 7.5 inches and more): key products, fruit and vegetables, wine, appliances.
• Bar labels (30, 45 or 60 cm): several products and promotions on the same shelf.
• Cold-ready models: versions designed for frozen-food aisles, down to −25 °C.

Which sectors?

Supermarkets and grocery stores come first, but electronic labels are also used in parapharmacies, perfumeries and cosmetics, fresh-food aisles, store networks and franchises, and even in hotels to show the name and details of buffet dishes.

How much do electronic shelf labels cost?

The price depends on the number of labels, the formats chosen, the number of base stations needed for the store’s surface, the number of stores and the integration with your POS and management software. That is why a quote is built after a visit or a demonstration: we count the products, choose the formats per aisle and check the store coverage.

How does a roll-out work?

• Demonstration and needs assessment: number of products, aisles, formats.
• Choice of hardware and display templates (price, promotion, price per kilo, QR code).
• Installation of base stations and labels with their accessories.
• Linking each label to its product from the mobile app.
• Synchronisation with the management software, then staff training.

Paper or electronic labels: the takeaway

Paper labels remain simple for a small shop with stable prices. As soon as prices or promotions change often, products are numerous or the chain has several stores, electronic labels save time and make the display reliable. At Mohtaoua, we offer TOPSYS ESL, ZKONG electronic labels managed from TOPSYS, with a demonstration tailored to your store.