Waitrose uses mobile printing technology to further cut food waste

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: Waitrose uses mobile printing technology to further cut food waste.

Zetes, the auto ID specialist, has announced the implementation of 1,000 Zebra 220 Plus printers for Waitrose, to further improve its stock efficiency.  In addition to helping reduce wastage, the Waitrose installation is also the largest single implementation of mobile printing of its kind.

The Zebra printers, recommended and implemented by Zetes, produce price labels and barcodes for any stock that needs to be reduced, thereby significantly improving checkout productivity and helping to ensure that unsold food is minimised.

This builds on the positive work that our shops have been carrying out to cut food wastage said Nick Hart, Project Manager, Branch Ordering Development at Waitrose.

We are a fresh food retailer above all, so it is important that our stores ensure the highest levels of accuracy when ordering food.  In addition to helping our branches minimise unsold food, this system has also enabled us to record increased data for further improved accuracy in future ordering - so were pleased with the initial results, added Hart.

James Hannay, managing director of Zetes Ltd, said: Following rigorous trials and feedback, Waitrose decided the combination of Zetes integration and support skills with Zebras printers would help them achieve their targets.

Using real-time information, the technology calculates reductions based on product demand and shelf-life. The system also provides users with a list of unsold reduced items, which may need further price markdowns.  Waitrose also plans to use Zebra printers to produce temporary shelf-edge tickets in the future.  Also included in the contract, Zetes will be providing full onsite support for the Zebra printers as part of a ZetesCare service and support package.

Mark Thomson, Retail Manager at Zebra, added: In these environmentally-conscious times, reducing food wastage is more important than ever. We were delighted to work with Waitrose and believe our solutions will benefit the company in many ways. We hope to strengthen our relationship with the company in future.