Electronic shelf labels (ESLs) are now a preferred solution for retailers focused on accurate pricing and efficient in-store operations. Though ESLs deliver long-term savings, the upfront investment to integrate them onto shelves can be substantial. Because of this, retailers must consider secure and robust holders to protect their ESL investment.
Here are several insights retailers should know about the key differences between ESL holders and traditional label holders.
Why ESL Holders Demand More Robust Construction
Unlike paper or plastic inserts that slip into a simple channel, electronic shelf labels bring new mechanical and financial requirements to the fixture. Before attaching ESLs to your existing holders, consider the two forces that make sturdier hardware non-negotiable:
- Weight: Traditional shelf label holders are designed for lightweight paper or plastic labels. Digital price tags are heavier and thicker than traditional labels. This added bulk means they are more prone to accidental damage.
- Investment Cost: Compared to the pennies it takes to generate a paper or plastic label, the upfront cost of an ESL is more substantial. Protecting the ESL requires a holder that is strong enough to keep the tag secure, readable, and functional for years.
Choosing ESL holders built to accommodate these realities safeguards your ESL rollout and prevents the hidden costs of breakage, downtime, and reinstallation.
Vulnerable Shelf Positions and Protective Solutions
Certain areas of the store expose ESLs to higher damage risk. Investing in proper ESL holders in these areas is particularly important in the following target areas:
- Beverage Cooler Shelves: Items like milk and juice gallons, as well as beer packs, can easily bump into shelves, potentially dislodging or even damaging ESLs mounted on wire shelves.
Recommendation: Choose rails with locking and hinge mechanisms to firmly secure ESL rails. This added stability prevents unnecessary movement and ensures the rails remain in place. - End Cap Displays: Typically positioned at the end of aisles, end caps are more exposed to foot and cart traffic and restocking activities. End cap inventory is often more jostled, putting ESLs at risk.
Recommendation: Install additional protective covers or use a stronger frame design that shields ESLs from the constant movement and handling of products. - Base Decks in High-Demand Areas: Quick-shop shelves offering high-demand or impulse products, especially in lower center store shelves (known as base decks), can be risky areas for ESL integration due to the potential for frequent collisions with shopping carts or baskets. However, with ongoing promotions and more frequent price changes, these are also areas where ESLs provide a distinct advantage over traditional shelf labels.
Recommendation: Use ESL rails with protective covers on lower shelves. These covers can absorb impacts, reducing the risk of damage and helping the price tags stay intact.
By matching each vulnerable zone with the right protective solution, retailers can keep their digital price tags secure, functional, and looking sharp—no matter how busy an aisle gets. Once these high-risk areas are fortified, the next step is to address the physical fit of ESLs on every shelf front, ensuring that thicker digital tags integrate seamlessly with existing fixtures.
Did you know? The Kinter catalog offers a broad inventory of ESL attachments for retail shelving needs to address these very challenges!
Making Sure Sign Holders and Other Shelf Hardware are Compatible with ESLs
Digital price tags are thicker and bulkier than traditional paper labels and, as a result, existing shelf-mounted sign holders and other hardware might not be compatible with them. Traditional under-shelf sign holders, for instance—designed for paper label rails—often don't have an arm long enough to go around the thickness of ESLs. Attempting to use existing holders can result in ESL tag damage or loss.
Newer, adjustable shelf accessories are designed to handle the larger profiles of digital price tags and to support variations in different supplier and product lines. Replacing sign holders and other gondola hardware with adjustable options will ensure that your ESLs fit securely and remain visible without the risk of slipping or becoming dislodged.
One-Size-Fits-All? Not in ESL Attachments
There is no "one-size-fits-all" solution for ESL attachment hardware. ESL tag dimensions and weight can vary between brands and even within the same product line. This variability means retailers shouldn’t feel confined to a single ESL brand simply because of limited accessory options.
ESL accessories should be flexible and customizable. The correct accessories will provide a secure mount for your ESL investment, providing a seamless and effective integration into your existing retail environment.
Partnering With a Versatile ESL Accessory Supplier
Working with a versatile ESL accessory supplier is essential for maximizing your ESL investment. A capable and knowledgeable supplier, like Kinter, brings ingenuity to the table, developing and producing hardware that ensures the durability of ESLs and accommodates specific store layout constraints and positions. Retailers need a partner who can provide flexible solutions designed to evolve alongside advancements in digital price tag technology, ensuring systems remain adaptable and future-proof.
The right hardware solutions also help retailers avoid the limitations of a single brand or product line. By offering a broad range of compatible options, an experienced ESL accessory supplier ensures retailers aren’t locked into one specific ESL manufacturer. This support will help you choose the best ESL products for your needs without worrying about compatibility issues.
Ready to improve your store's pricing accuracy and protect your investment in ESL technology?
Kinter offers a full range of durable ESL holders that are easy to install across different systems. From rail covers for base decks to adjustable, heavy-duty clips for wire cooler shelves, every Kinter ESL attachment solution is built to protect your investment and preserve the clean aesthetic today’s shoppers expect. Couple that quality with our deep inventory, responsive support, and custom design capabilities, and you have a partner ready to future-proof your pricing strategy—no matter which ESL system you deploy.
Take a look at this case study showing how one of North America's largest retailers' quest for innovative electronic shelf label attachment solutions led them to Kinter. We are here to help you find optimal ESL hardware solutions for your retail environment.
Contact Kinter today to learn more or request our full catalog for more information on our ESL solutions. Let us help you optimize your store’s ESL deployment with a focus on durability, flexibility, and efficiency.