Every retailer knows the feeling. As soon as November hits, it’s all hands-on deck. Prices on perishables change almost daily, festive promotions have to be set up overnight, and customers want everything to be quick and easy.
On top of that, many shops rely on seasonal staff who don’t have time to learn clunky label printers. One wrong ticket can cause confusion at the till, or worse, cost you margin. And yet, week after week, staff end up stuck with scissors and tape instead of spending time with customers. It’s a small thing that snowballs into wasted hours, frustrated teams, and unnecessary mistakes.
That’s why September is such an important month. If you’ve been thinking about eSELS (the digital shelf-edge label system from us here at Velocity) this is your last real chance to get it in place before the rush. Leave it too late, and you could be stuck firefighting through December instead of running an efficient shop.
Why you should get eSELs in place in September
eSELS aren’t really something that you can install on a Monday and forget about by Tuesday. It usually around a month for the system to be set up, tested, and for your team to get comfortable using it.
That’s why September is the best time to get it sorted. If you start now, you’ll be ready to roll by November. Wait until October, and you’ll run straight into peak season without a chance to get it bedded in.
How much do eSELS cost?
A 250-tag eSELS setup costs around £250 a month. In return, it saves roughly £400 a month on staff time, paper, and printing costs.
Or, to put it another way: spend £250, save £400.
And that’s before you factor in the indirect savings like:
- Staff freed up to serve customers instead of fighting with printers.
- Promotions rolled out instantly across the store.
- Zero errors creeping in with mismatched or missing labels.
The maths speaks for itself, but the real win is peace of mind when things are at their busiest.
eSELS aren’t just for the shelves!
One of the best things about eSELS is that it isn’t limited to shelves. The system is designed to cover the whole shop floor, including:
- Large counter labels for meat, deli, and cheese.
- Slim shelf-edge tags for dry goods and packaged items.
- Freezer-safe units that keep working down to -40°C.
That means whether you’re selling turkeys, hampers, mince pies, or frozen desserts, you’ve got every area covered.
What to Do Now
If you’re serious about getting ahead of Christmas, here’s your checklist:
Book your install in September
This is your last chance to be ready before November.
Start with 250 tags
A solid setup for small to mid-size shops that covers shelves, counters, and freezers.
Run the numbers
Ask us for our ROI calculator to see how it stacks up for your store.
Train staff early
Give your team October to get comfortable so they’re ready when trading peaks.
Plan festive bundles
Think hampers, meal boxes, or seasonal offers that can all be priced and updated instantly.
Come have a chat with our team and let’s get you set up for a stress-free Christmas.
