Shelf-edge Labelling and Price Markdown

By: Andrea Percival Click author's name for more of his/her articles

A major discount retailer was spending significant time changing its prices and wasn't getting the scanning accuracy they required.

This retailer faced increased cost implications caused by price changes, which were being implemented inconsistently between hundreds of stores across the USA. The retailer needed a way to print new shelf tags and item price tags faster, easier and provide more accuracy at the point-of-sale.

At each store in this large retail chain a 'price change team' is issued with code ranger portable printers and wireless scanners. Each person is assigned a list of products and price changes. The team member scans a product, prints the appropriate number of labels and applies the labels to the products. For shelf-edge labelling, the team member swaps media in the portable printer and prints the shelf tags.

This application required the printer to print more than one type of media (labels and tags), so swapping media had to be quick and easy. A clamshell media door was a key benefit.

Additionally, the code ranger battery lasts a full 8 hour shift and features a power-saving mode that assures maximum print power and minimal downtime. A code ranger fast batch-printing operations enables a team member to print any number of price labels at once, or print a single shelf tag, depending upon the requirements.

Lightweight

One key feature of the code ranger is its light weight and large media capacity. Team members carry the printer all day long. The exceptionally light weight, 1.5 lbs (0.6804 kg), code ranger reduces worker fatigue and increases efficiency. Code ranger offers the largest media capacity of any printer in its class, with a capacity of over 1000" (2540 cm) of label material. Code ranger's easy-to-use LED explains everything a user needs to know about the printer, including warning when the battery may be running low.

The installed printers are standard serial cable model with the option to upgrade to 802.11b RF if the retailer requires. Versatility and the ability to upgrade are among the industry leading benefits of the code ranger portable printing solution.

Shelf-edge Labels and Tag Media

The customer chose direct thermal media because the labels are extremely cost-efficient and versatile. Price labels have a short lifespan and need moderate abrasion resistance. The code ranger has a 1000" (2540 cm) capacity for 2" (5.08 cm) wide labels, enough to last a full day without changing rolls. Shelf edge labels require moderate durability, black bars for index sensing and a slit for easy separation. The barcodes must be scannable on the first-pass with a dark print.

The Future

Each store will upgrade to an 802.11b network with handheld terminals that communicates with a central computer system. Inventory is updated daily and orders are placed automatically. To save money, the retailer chose code ranger printers without RF, but ready for the RF expansion. Additionally, code ranger's modular design enables the battery to be upgraded to new, more efficient battery technologies as they become available, without having to replace the entire printer. Code ranger wireless printers are a good fit for a variety of retail applications, will suit customer needs for years to come.