Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Electronic Shelf Labels in Bakeries
The bakery business thrives on freshness, accuracy, and visual appeal. From daily price changes to festive offers and fast-moving items, managing product information can become challenging. This is where the Electronic Shelf Label plays a crucial role. It helps bakeries maintain real-time pricing, reduce manual work, and present a modern, professional store layout.
However, simply installing an Electronic Shelf Label system is not enough. Many bakeries fail to use it effectively due to common mistakes that limit its benefits. In this blog, we explore the most frequent errors bakeries make when using Electronic Shelf Labels—and how to avoid them.
1. Not Updating Prices and Information Regularly
One of the biggest advantages of an Electronic Shelf Label is real-time price updates. Yet many bakeries continue treating it like a static paper tag.
Bakeries often run daily specials, change prices based on ingredient costs, or adjust rates during festivals. When Electronic Shelf Labels are not updated promptly, customers may see outdated prices, leading to confusion and billing disputes.
How to avoid this mistake:
Ensure your staff is trained to update the Electronic Shelf Label system daily. Integrate it with your billing or POS system wherever possible to keep prices accurate at all times.
2. Poor Placement of Electronic Shelf Labels
Even the best Electronic Shelf Label loses its value if customers cannot read it easily. A common mistake in bakeries is placing labels too low, too high, or at awkward angles—especially inside display counters.
Poor visibility affects customer experience and slows down decision-making.
How to avoid this mistake:
Install Electronic Shelf Labels at eye level and ensure they are clearly visible through glass display counters. Proper alignment improves readability and enhances the overall presentation of your bakery products.
3. Using Incorrect or Incomplete Product Information
Many bakeries only display the product name and price on the Electronic Shelf Label, missing an opportunity to communicate more.
Incomplete information—such as missing weight, flavor, shelf life, or ingredients—can reduce customer trust, especially for premium or specialty items.
How to avoid this mistake:
Use the Electronic Shelf Label to display clear and concise details like product name, price per kg or piece, flavor, and special tags such as “Best Seller” or “Freshly Baked.” This adds transparency and improves customer confidence.
4. Ignoring Battery Maintenance and System Health
Electronic Shelf Labels run on batteries, and ignoring their maintenance is a common operational mistake. Dead or low-battery labels can go blank or stop updating, creating inconsistencies across the store.
In a busy bakery, such issues often go unnoticed until customers point them out.
How to avoid this mistake:
Regularly monitor the battery status through the Electronic shelf label management system. Schedule preventive maintenance and replace batteries before they run out to ensure uninterrupted performance.
5. Not Training Staff Properly
Many bakery owners assume Electronic Shelf Labels are fully automatic and require no human involvement. Without proper training, staff may struggle with updates, troubleshooting, or daily operations.
This leads to underutilization of the Electronic Shelf Label system.
How to avoid this mistake:
Train your staff on basic Electronic shelf label functions such as updating prices, checking connectivity, and identifying errors. A well-trained team ensures smoother operations and maximizes the benefits of Electronic Shelf Labels.
6. Using Generic Display Templates
Using the same generic template for every product is another common mistake. Bakeries sell a wide variety of items—from pastries and cakes to breads and snacks—and each category has different display needs.
A poorly designed Electronic Shelf Label layout can make premium items look ordinary.
How to avoid this mistake:
Customize templates based on product categories. Highlight premium cakes, festive items, or new launches using larger fonts or icons on the Electronic Shelf Label. Visual clarity improves product appeal and sales.
7. Not Syncing Electronic Shelf Labels with Offers and Promotions
Bakeries frequently run time-based offers, combo deals, or festive discounts. Failing to update the Electronic Shelf Label during promotions creates inconsistency between in-store communication and billing.
This can lead to customer dissatisfaction and staff confusion.
How to avoid this mistake:
Plan promotions in advance and schedule updates on the Electronic Shelf Label system. Automated syncing ensures promotional prices are displayed accurately during offer hours.
8. Overlooking Store Aesthetics
While Electronic Shelf Labels are digital, they still need to blend with the bakery’s interior design. Bulky or mismatched labels can disturb the visual harmony of a well-designed store.
How to avoid this mistake:
Select streamlined Electronic Shelf Labels that enhance your store’s visual appeal without distracting from the products. A clean and modern look enhances the customer experience.
9. Choosing the Wrong ESL Partner
Not all Electronic Shelf Label solutions are designed for bakery environments. Temperature variations, moisture, and glass displays require specialized Electronic shelf label systems.
Choosing the wrong supplier can result in frequent issues and poor after-sales support.
How to avoid this mistake:
Rely on manufacturers who offer industry-focused knowledge and dependable after-sales support. The right partner ensures durability, compatibility, and reliable support.
Conclusion
An Electronic Shelf Label is a powerful tool for modern bakeries—but only when used correctly. Avoiding these common mistakes can help bakeries improve pricing accuracy, enhance store presentation, reduce manual work, and create a seamless shopping experience for customers.
By investing in the right Electronic Shelf Label system and using it strategically, bakeries can stay efficient, professional, and future-ready.
Prestair offers smart Electronic Shelf Label solutions designed specifically for sweet shops and bakeries—helping you display better, manage smarter, and grow faster.