By Howard Lloyd

Copyright walesonline

Asda has announced a major change that will be seen in 250 of its stores across the country. The supermarket giant, which makes up one of the traditional ‘big four’ in the UK, will introduce digital price tags, it has confirmed. They will be introduced in 250 of its Express convenience stores, and will replace the traditional price tags. It means the tags can be changed more efficiently, and will also exhibit the cost, weight, and unit price of products, as well as allergen information via QR codes. Electronic shelf-edge labels (ESLs) mean Asda is following in the footsteps of Lidl and Currys, among others. Around 2,800 individual labels will be added, Asda confirmed. It is hoped this will free up staff from repricing items, giving them more time to carry out other essential work, including serving customers. It is not thought that any job losses will result from the change, nor will the controversial practice of dynamic pricing be used. Joseph Sutton, Asda Express’s vice president, said: “We’re continuing to invest in enhancing our stores, and the launch of cutting-edge technology across our Express estate is proof of this. “By streamlining our instore operations, we can free up our colleagues to focus on what they do best – serving our customers.” Around 2,800 individual labels will be added, with retail technology firm VusionGroup behind the technology being used. Asda is opening up to 20 new convenience stores before the end of the year as it fights with Sainsbury’s to be the UK’s second-most used supermarket. Tesco is currently in the lead, while budget supermarkets Lidl and Aldi are also surging in popularity.