PYMNTSTechnology

Walmart Uses Flashing Digital Shelf Labels to Help Shoppers Find Items

By PYMNTS

AI summary of the source article

Walmart announced it is using built-in flashing LEDs on digital shelf labels to guide shoppers and associates to specific products. Through the Walmart app, "Shop to Light" activates a flashing label to help customers locate items, while "Stock to Light" and "Pick to Light" assist employees with shelf stocking and online order fulfillment. Walmart began deploying digital shelf labels in June 2024 and aims to install them across roughly 5,200 U.S. stores by 2027. Amid scrutiny from lawmakers and labor groups concerned about surge pricing, Walmart stated that the labels do not change prices automatically, collect customer data, or personalize prices.

Why it matters

The technology aims to improve store efficiency and eliminate manual paper tags, even as lawmakers and labor groups express concern that electronic shelf labels could enable dynamic or surge pricing.

Key facts

  • Features called Shop to Light, Stock to Light, and Pick to Light use LEDs on digital shelf labels to guide shoppers and workers to items.
  • Walmart plans to deploy digital shelf labels across roughly 5,200 stores in the United States by 2027.
  • In September, the AFL-CIO Tech Institute called on policymakers to ban electronic shelf labels in grocery stores.