Background
A well-known grocery store chain based in Iowa, operating approximately 141 locations across the Midwest, was encountering significant challenges with its existing grocery store shelf labeling system. The grocer relied on traditional paper shelf tags printed using laser printers. These tags displayed critical product information including pricing, barcodes, and colorful grocery signs designed to attract customer attention.

The Challenge
Despite serving their purpose in dry conditions, these paper retail shelf tags fell short in refrigerated and frozen areas. Moisture from coolers and freezers caused the tags to absorb water, wrinkle, tear, and often detach from the shelving. Not only did this lead to wasted materials and time, but it also resulted in lost retail price tags and compromised customer visibility. Store employees were spending unnecessary hours reprinting and replacing labels—ultimately impacting operational efficiency and labor costs.

The Solution: Advanced Automation + Zebra Printer Supplies
The grocer turned to Advanced Automation, a Des Moines-based leader in Zebra printer supplies, barcode-based hardware and retail ID solutions with over 30 years of industry experience. Leveraging their deep knowledge of durable barcode labels and Zebra printers, Advanced Automation proposed a transformative solution: replace the failing paper tags with customized Zebra grocery signs made of PolyPro 4000T polypropylene..

These new freezer retail shelf signs were custom-designed to snap securely into the shelf channels while withstanding the humidity and temperature fluctuations of refrigerator labels and freezer cases. Printed using Zebra thermal transfer printers and wax-resin ribbons, the new signs offered outstanding smudge resistance, water resistance, and print durability.

Pilot Execution and Results
Advanced Automation initiated a small pilot program—personally absorbing the upfront retail shelf sign printing costs—to prove the long-term value of switching from paper to durable barcode polypropylene material. The pilot focused on a select number of locations with heavy refrigeration traffic. Within weeks, store management reported a dramatic reduction in labor needed to maintain shelf signage and far fewer complaints about missing or damaged tags.

Encouraged by these results, the grocery chain rolled out the Zebra PolyPro 4000t polypropylene Zebra barcode shelf tags to all locations across its network. The new grocery shelf sinage stood up to the demands of both dry aisles and cold storage environments, offering a reliable solution for retail price label longevity and visibility. In total, millions of tags have been successfully printed and deployed using Zebra printers and retail shelf labeling best practices.

Outcome: Reduced Labor, Improved Presentation, Better Margins
The grocer experienced a clear return on investment:

• Reduced labor hours spent replacing damaged shelf tags
  
• Improved shelf presentation in every department, especially refrigerated and freezer sections
  
• Lower supply replacement costs over time
  
• Higher retail margins due to better promotional visibility and accurate pricing
  

With Advanced Automation’s Zebra custom barcode labeling & design solutions, this retailer now benefits from a more resilient and efficient grocery store shelf labeling system. The partnership highlights the impact of pairing expert insight with high-performance products like Zebra printers, Zebra grocery labels, and thermal transfer printing technology.

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