Global Outlook and Forecast 2018-2023
Market research on electronic shelf label market (ESL market) shows segmentation is by (1) display (LCD, EPD, and OLED), (2) by technology (vendor facing (RF and IR) and (3) customer facing (BLE and NFC) for key end-users being supermarkets and hypermarkets, liquor chains, departmental stores, convenience stores, and drugstores.
Electronic Shelf Label Market – Overview
The revolutionary changes in consumption patterns and trade flow across the world is propelling the growth of the electronic shelf label market. The economic development of different emerging countries such as India and China are attributing to the increase in retail consumption in these regions and driving the demand for technological innovations.
The development of the retail industry with the advent of e-commerce and rising sale of consumables through stores, shopping marts, and supermarkets will have a positive impact on the global ESL market.
The integration of latest technology to offer customers a seamless buying experience, increased range and assortment of goods, and added value in-store experience will create the demand in the electronic shelf label (ESL) market.
The urbanization, changing retail landscape, and rapid infrastructural expansion in emerging countries will augment the growth of the electronic shelf label (ESL) market. The advent of LED and e-paper displays and the usage of micro-displays in consumer applications will revolutionize the global electronic shelf market.
The advent of low-cost suppliers of micro-displays and labels from APAC will boost the competition in the global electronic shelf label market in all existing and potential markets.
The electronic shelf label (ESL) market is projected to reach revenues of more than $1,675 million and is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 28% during the forecast period
Electronic Shelf Label Market – Dynamics
The emergence and prominence of omnichannel and retail reality are driving the growth of the global ESL market.
The development of omnichannel retailing will allow vendors to offer integrated services online and in-store to provide seamless consumer experiences. Such development will boost customer engagement and improve consumer interaction levels boosting sales and promoting the development of the electronic shelf label market over the next few years.
The increasing penetration of the internet, smartphones, and the advent of social media is transforming the retail industry and encouraging vendors to introduce advanced technologies such as ESL in the global market.
The usage of electronic shelf labels helps retailers display detailed product information and associated real-time promotions in the convenience of in-store shelf edges.
Electronic Shelf Label Market – Segmentation
Electronic Shelf Label Market – By Technology
RF and infra-red (IR) technologies are the most predominately used mode of communication in the ESL market
The electronic shelf label market by technology is classified into radio frequency (RF), infra-red (IR), Bluetooth enabled (BLE), and near field communication (NFC).
The vendor facing technology was very popular in the ESL market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 39% during the forecast period. RF technology dominated the vendor facing segment in 2017.
RF communication has no line of sight issue, and there is no hindrance in the communication line.
The ESL manufacturers are using RF to communicate with the base station and ESL tags, and range of the transmitter is inversely proportional to the frequency. The use of these communication devices will propel the growth of this market segment in the global electronic shelf label market.
Electronic Shelf Label Market – By Display
LCD screens will dominate the global ESL market going forward
The display segment in the electronic shelf label (ESL) market is divided into LCD, EPD, and OLED.
The LCD segment will dominate the global ESL market accounting for around half of the total market share and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of more than 29%.
The rapid evolution of display technologies wherein the micro-displays have become cheaper, efficient, and smarter is driving the growth of the LCD display segment in the electronic shelf label market.
The two major variants of LCD available in the global market are active and older passive matrix displays. The cost-effectiveness of LCD displays is propelling the growth of this market segment in the global ELS market and create new opportunities for vendors to launch innovative products to gain a larger market share.
Electronic Shelf Label Market – By End-Users
Supermarkets and hypermarkets to generate the highest revenues in the global ESL market during the forecast period
The electronic shelf label market by end-users is segmented into supermarkets and hypermarkets, departmental stores, convenience stores, drugstores, and others.
Supermarkets and hypermarkets dominated the ESL market share in 2017 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 27% moving forward.
The adoption of self-service in supermarkets and hypermarkets is boosting the growth of this market segment in global ESL market. The wide availability of groceries, hardware, sports equipment, furniture, consumer appliances, computers, and electronics will boost the demand for ESLs in the supermarket and hypermarket segment during the forecast period.
Electronic Shelf Label Market – By Geography
Europe to dominate the market share in the global ESL market during the forecast period
The geographical segment in the global ESL market is divided into North America, APAC, Europe, MEA, and Latin America. Europe was the largest geographical segment in the global electronic shelf label (ESL) market accounting for more than 1/3rd of the total market share in 2017.
France, UK, and Germany are the highest revenue generators in the global electronic shelf label market. The strong presence of domestic and multinational retailers is driving the growth of the ESL market in Europe.
The increasing investments to warrant automation will transform the retail industry in the region and create new opportunities for ESL manufacturers moving forward.
Key Countries
The current key countries for ESL today:
- US
- Germany
- France
- UK
- China
- Japan
- Singapore
The prominent companies in the global market are offering installation contracts with a multi-year arrangement that includes services such as the supply of tags, price, and supply analytics, POS hardware, and software to sustain the competition in the market.
Source: Arizton. Electronic Shelf Label Market (ESL Market) – Global Outlook and Forecast 2018-2023 (February 2018)