From digital screens to parcel lockers, retailers are embracing new technology to give their stores the edge.
We often refer to technology as a way to increase operational efficiency, but Day-Today stores have begun using tech for marketing purposes with the introduction of in-store digital screens. United Wholesale (Scotland) (UWS) is installing a minimum of four screens free of charge into 88 of its best stores.
“We start out with a screen just inside the window or on a wall outside if there’s no window space,” explains Paul Hepburn, Project Manager for Day-Today and U-Save.
Another screen is dedicated to Spin To Win promotions, while a header screen on top of a promotional bay will run promotions and supplier partnerships. Screen number four is a tablet at the kiosk so that there is disruption while the customer is waiting to be served.
In order to have the screens installed, eligible Day-Today retailers will need to sign a new trading agreement with the group agreeing a minimum spend with UWS based on their weekly turnover. Gaming will be restricted so that customers can play Spin To Win once every 24 hours and all the screens are on a central network so customers can’t go from store to store picking up Spin To Win prizes.
UWS also offers a selection of add-on technology options. “We can also provide electronic shelf edge labels to retailers at a cost, and we’ve also got video rails, which also act as electronic shelf edge labels,” says Hepburn. Retailers can also consider standalone chilled dumpbins featuring digital wraps to add theatre to their beer caves.
The screens are not only set to boost footfall and customer engagement – they are also capable of providing invaluable feedback to UWS as to the success of each promotion.
“We’ll be able to check which products have been on promotion on Spin to Win and to see whether it’s driving sales,” explains Hepburn.
There is minimal responsibility for retailers who install the screens. “We are controlling all the content and also when it switches on and off, so they aren’t playing all night to the annoyance of any neighbours or burning through the night when there’s no one interacting with them,” says Hepburn. “It saves running costs and also the asset life with screen burn time as well.” The same content will be shown across all Day-Today stores and running costs are minimal because they are LED screens.
If stores have a licensed end then they’ll get an extra screen header for this area too.
UWS has also teamed up with Phoenix 2 Retail to offer Day-Today retailers vape gantries with a screen. In order to have the gantry installed, retailers must agree to buy all their vapes through UWS, sell them at the group’s RSP and accept new lines as they are introduced.
“Retailers will get a small commission off any advertising revenue specific to the vape gantry,” says Hepburn. He claims that retailers are “really excited” about getting screens in store.
Day-Today Anniesland in the West End of Glasgow is one of the first retailers to get screens installed. “We normally run all the Day-Today promotions anyway quite aggressively and it’s a very good thing to see them on screens,” says owner Adeel Iqbal. “I’m confident it will have a positive impact.”
Neat package
Another piece of kit making waves in retail is parcel lockers.
“Consumer demand for out-of-home delivery has skyrocketed and the rise of delivery lockers is revolutionising the way we send and receive parcels,” says Paul Selvey, Network Director at InPost UK. “There’s a massive opportunity for retailers to capitalise on this trend, drive shopper footfall and increase their income with InPost Lockers.
“Today’s shoppers crave convenience and as a result, we’re seeing huge demand for InPost Lockers which offer a low-cost way for consumers to collect, send and return parcels 24/7, securely, quickly and with ease.”
Over half of UK consumers have used lockers for online purchases, rising to 71% for Gen Zs and 68% for Millennials, according to InPost’s research carried out in partnership with Retail Economics. “Nearly two-thirds of InPost Locker users (64%) say their visit to a convenience store was more convenient thanks to the locker, so it’s no big surprise that this is the top reason for choosing a locker,” notes Selvey. “These convenience-loving locker users are more affluent too, with 31% having an income over £50,000 and 39% shopping once a week or more – they spend more and shop more, making them a valuable audience to attract.”
The figures show that 98% of InPost users visit a convenience store because the locker is there, and over half say it made them more likely to return. Also, nearly three in four go into a nearby store before or after using a locker, with a third spending up to £15 during their visit. “So, not only do InPost Lockers help retailers attract new shoppers and drive footfall, but they can also boost store sales too,” says Selvey.
The self-service aspect of InPost Lockers means parcels can be safely collected and sent by consumers 24/7 without the need for staff intervention.
Bay Bashir, Owner of Belle Vue Stores North East in Middlesborough has been reaping the benefits of lockers. “To be a successful retailer and stay competitive, it’s all about looking for game changing, innovative ideas that will make your store a destination,” he says. “You need to attract new business and customers to the location, and to the store, and that was exactly why I installed InPost Lockers.
“InPost Lockers make your store a destination. People that might not already know the store will see it come up as an option when sending a parcel and then your store name is out there. I’d say 25% of people that come to use the locker then come into the store – but it’s probably more – so it’s a win for everyone.”
He describes the installation process as “really easy” – within 10 days the lockers were fully operational. “The InPost Lockers aren’t costing me any money, they’re making me money,” he says. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Glasgow-based Premier owner Girish Jeeva has just picked up his second #ThinkSmart Innovation accolade at the 2025 SLR Awards, and the tech-savvy retailer can’t stop raving about MHouse.
“We’ve worked closely with their team to add features that truly suit our store’s needs,” he says. “In today’s fast-paced retail world, MHouse has helped us evolve and streamline our operations like never before. Running the store has never been easier – all thanks to the dedicated team at MHouse, especially [Chief Executive Officer] Faisal Sattar, who has always been there to support and adapt the system to fit our business.”
Girish has three tills in the store – two of them managed behind the counter and a self-checkout introduced by MHouse especially for the store. He also has a back office till dedicated to home deliveries.
What’s more, he has installed electronic shelf edge labelling. “This has saved a lot of labour costs,” he says. Labels can be updated across the whole store in three seconds. “It’s been a game changer for us and MHouse has been able to allow us to do this.” He claims that training staff with MPOS devices has been “very easy because it is very user friendly”.
MHouse also has an app where Girish can view live transactions. “It’s a cool app to have. If you are on holiday or away from the store, you can keep up to date.”
The firm is now enabling Girish to have his store managed remotely – from India!
“We had a manager who has been working with us for three years. She is now moving back to India, and she is now going to manage the store remotely. MHouse has allowed us to do that,” he says. “The re-ordering system that we’ve been using, auto-ordering, stock management – this has all helped us to run the store remotely without myself or my manager being in store.”
Top Northern Irish retailer, Mulkerns Group, has been a key player in the convenience retail sector since the 70s. The business has grown over the years and now includes Mulkerns Eurospar, Spar Jonesborough and Daisy Hill Hospital Shop.
The Mulkern family has run Daisy Hill since the mid-1980s and they were keen to see whether Henderson Technology could help improve the store with its EDGEPos self-checkout system.
“Daisy Hill is a very small footprint; one customer can walk around in single file,” observes Mulkerns Group Director, Terry Mulkerns. “Previously, two checkouts took up nearly a quarter of the space.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the store temporarily closed, providing an opportunity to rethink its operations. Mulkerns considered a fully automated, 24-hour, camera-monitored solution, but ultimately opted for a more balanced approach.
The store transitioned entirely to self-checkouts, removing traditional counters and freeing up valuable floor space. “We now run it with just one member of staff, where before we needed two,” says Mulkerns. “Their role is to supervise checkouts, restock, and merchandise, making overall operations much more efficient.”
Store Manager Michelle McGuigan, also highlights the positive impact of EDGEPoS self-checkouts. “The EDGEPoS self-checkouts give me time to restock as it is very busy being placed in a hospital,” she says. “Everyone is happy to use them and any elderly who are hesitant have me there to educate them when it is needed.”
Morrisons Daily Tonbridge in Kent has seen a notable reduction in crime thanks to Chirp Protect anti-shoplifting tags.
“Since installing the Chirp Protect alarm tagging system, we’ve seen an incredible turnaround in theft prevention – virtually zero losses on high-risk items like beer, wine, and steaks,” says team leader David. “Previously, we were regularly targeted, with 12-packs of beer, boxed wines, and bottles of wine being stolen. Shoplifters would simply pick up a case of beer and walk straight out.”
If a would-be shoplifter attempts to take tagged products to the store exit without paying for them, an alarm is activated. “Now, our wine is secured two deep with tamper-proof bottle tags, beer packs are protected with wrap tags, and boxed wines have adhesive tags,” says David. “These tags are not only visible deterrents – they’re also highly effective, alarming if tampered with or if someone tries to exit the store without deactivation.”
As soon as a tag is deactivated at the till, it is promptly returned to the shop floor and reattached to new stock. “The system has restored our confidence,” says David. “Staff feel safer and more in control, and I can finally fully stock the shelves without worrying about losses. It’s made a significant difference to how we operate.”
