Electronic Shelf Edge Display

A smart, easy to use shelf-edge display system is a thin, clear display that displays digital content from smartphones on a flat surface, be that a table, wall, shelf, or whatever else. These smart shelf edge display systems combine ease of use and maximized visibility to maximize sales. The technology behind these systems is called augmented reality technology. This technology allows you to display digital content from your smartphone right on the shelf, in front of the customer, without them ever having to touch, see or even try to reach the smartphone. In other words, this system is an iPhone and Android compatible touch screen.

These systems come in two forms, a full-featured electronic shelf label display (ESL) and a simple, low-cost sticker-less TFT display. Both use similar hardware to add electronic components to the product, including a metal housing, touch-screens, backlight and other components typically found in full-featured electronic shelves. The difference is that an electronic shelf label system has a clear liquid crystal display (LCD) that is implemented using thin film technology on flexible substrate material. The substrate material is transparent and touch-sensitive. When a customer wants to see a particular shelf element, all they do is press a finger to the grid will pop up, showing the shelf edge display image that is designed by the retailer.

In essence, the shelf edge display allows retailers to provide quick and easy product information to customers. Not only does this allow retailers to make changes to displays without re-stacking items, but it also allows the end-user - the customer - to view quick and relevant digital signage applications right in front of them, all with a simple press of a button. This is especially helpful when customers are making last minute purchasing decisions.

The flexibility of an electronic retail shelf edge display is also one of its greatest advantages over traditional display formats. Unlike paper or plastic panels, the flexible substrate material of most electronic shelves makes it possible for display manufacturers to make adjustments to the format without having to reposition the components. For example, manufacturers can make the grid smaller or larger, or add or remove application bars, buttons, light bulbs, radio transmitters and more. This is true even of the most expensive and advanced displays. And because manufacturers can easily change the grid, it makes it easy for a business to customize their electronic display to better suit their individual needs. For smaller businesses or shops, it makes it easy to display promotional materials or increase the number of product displays without additional investment in new equipment.

Another advantage of the flexible substrate of most electronic displays is that they offer a wider viewing angle than standard display panels. In addition, wide-screened, flexible shelves offer the benefit of reducing eye strain on employees who may typically work in a counter. Also, wide-screens help save on the cost of electricity. These factors help to support the claim that electronic displays provide a more economical option than traditional retail displays.

The above advantages have helped to make many retailers, as well as consumer organizations, switch to using electronic displays in their venues. But the fact is that these benefits could become even greater in the future. Recent technological advances have led to developments in the manufacture of thin film transistor liquid crystal displays. These technologies represent the next leap in retail displays and offer even greater cost savings and increased functionality. Advances in manufacturing technology will also enable the creation of flexible substrates that are similar to silk, nylon or cotton. These materials will offer even greater durability and improved brightness when printed on the surface of these products.