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6 Ways ESLs Are Transforming Grocery Merchandising

6 Ways ESLs Are Transforming Grocery Merchandising

December 11, 2025

Carlson AirFlo’s ESL Adapters ensure your digital shelf labels stay secure, protecting your investment.

Retail merchandising is evolving fast, and Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) are leading the charge. These sleek digital tags are a strategic shift in how retailers manage pricing, promotions, and labor. But as more stores make the leap to ESLs, one question keeps surfacing: how do you keep them securely in place?

Carlson AirFlo has the answer. Our new line of ESL Adapters are designed to hold ESLs exactly where they belong—firmly attached, perfectly aligned, and ready to perform. Because when you’ve made a big investment in merchandising technology, the last thing you want is for it to fall off the shelf.

Pictured: Carlson AirFlo’s Straight ESL Adapter

ESLs: The Smart Retailer’s Advantage

Electronic Shelf Labels are transforming retail operations from the inside out. By replacing traditional paper tags with digital displays, ESLs allow retailers to:

Update pricing in real time, across thousands of SKUs and locations
Reduce labor costs by eliminating manual tag changes
Improve pricing accuracy, minimizing errors and customer confusion
Enhance sustainability, cutting down on paper waste and printing
Deliver dynamic promotions, with timed offers and instant markdowns

It’s no surprise that major retailers, from grocery chains to big-box stores, are rolling out ESLs at scale. The benefits are clear: faster operations, better margins, and a more modern shopping experience.

Let’s explore six powerful ways ESLs are reshaping grocery merchandising and how Carlson AirFlo helps secure your investment.

Real-Time Pricing Across Thousands of SKUs

In grocery retail, pricing agility is everything. ESLs allow retailers to update prices instantly across thousands of products and multiple store locations. ESLs make it possible to respond in real time without printing or manually replacing tags.

But digital pricing only works if the label is visible and secure. Carlson AirFlo’s ESL Adapters ensure ESLs stay perfectly aligned and firmly attached, so your pricing updates are always clear and consistent.

Reduced Labor Costs and Operational Efficiency

Traditional paper tags require constant attention. Everything from printing and cutting to placing and replacing, ESLs eliminate that manual labor. This allows more time to free up store associates to focus on customer service, inventory management, and other high-value tasks.

However, ESLs that fall off or shift out of place can create new problems. Misaligned or fallen tags confuse shoppers and require staff to intervene. Carlson AirFlo’s adapters are easy to install, reposition, and securely hold ESLs in place, supporting flexible merchandising strategies while minimizing disruption.

Pricing Accuracy That Builds Shopper Trust

Few things frustrate customers more than incorrect pricing. ESLs dramatically reduce human error and can be updated with ease, ensuring that the price on the shelf matches the price at checkout. This consistency builds trust and enhances the overall shopping experience.

Sustainability That Goes Beyond Paper

Grocery retailers are under increasing pressure to reduce their environmental footprint. ESLs help by eliminating the need for paper tags and the energy-intensive printing processes that go with them. Over time, this shift can significantly reduce waste and improve sustainability metrics.

Dynamic Promotions That Drive Sales

ESLs empower retailers to run dynamic promotions with precision. Timed discounts, instant markdowns, and targeted offers can be deployed across stores with a few clicks. This flexibility allows grocers to respond to market trends, clear inventory, and boost sales, all without touching a single tag.

A Modern Shopping Experience That Sets You Apart

Today’s shoppers expect a modern, tech-forward experience. ESLs deliver that with sleek digital displays that signal innovation and efficiency. They elevate the look of your store and reinforce your brand’s commitment to progress.

Carlson AirFlo’s ESL Adapters complement that aesthetic with clean lines and seamless integration into existing shelving systems. Whether you’re merchandising in cold cases, floral buckets, or dry goods aisles, our adapters ensure ESLs look sharp and stay secure.

Pictured: Carlson AirFlo’s Straight ESL Adapter

Built to Hold, Designed to Last

You’ve made a bold move by investing in ESLs. We’re here to make sure that investment stays protected.

Carlson AirFlo’s ESL Tag Adapters are engineered to keep ESLs securely in place. That means no slipping, no sagging, and no surprises. Whether you’re merchandising in cold cases, floral buckets, or high-volume produce sections, our adapters are:

Custom-fit for ESLs, ensuring a snug, stable hold
Durable and rust-resistant, built to withstand moisture, temperature shifts, and daily wear
Easy to install and reposition, supporting flexible merchandising strategies
Compatible with AirFlo’s full suite of shelving systems, so you don’t have to compromise on layout or design

These adapters aren’t just accessories, they’re insurance. They protect your ESLs from the bumps, shifts, and environmental challenges of everyday retail life.

Pictured: Carlson AirFlo’s ESL Price Clip Adapter

Merchandising That Works as Hard as You Do

At Carlson AirFlo, we believe great merchandising is equal parts presentation and practicality. ESLs offer a sleek, modern look but they need the right support to function reliably. Our ESL Adapters are designed to deliver both.

They keep your shelves looking sharp, your pricing accurate, and your investment secure day after day, season after season. Because when you commit to innovation, you deserve solutions that commit to you.