ESL InfoTag and e.Label
Winkler Markt
Retail
Winkler Markt, a regional retailer deeply rooted in Upper Austria, believes operational clarity and long-term foresight are essential to the business decisions. When the team decided to modernise their pricing infrastructure, expectations were high but the results exceeded them.
“The conversion went surprisingly quickly and completely smoothly,” says Georg Strutz, Member of the Management Board at Winkler Group. Together with Kandolf DIGI Austria and experts4ESL, Winkler Markt successfully installed approximately 13,000 electronic shelf labels across 1,600 m² of retail space in just a few weeks— with minimal disruption to daily operations.
Before the ESL installation, price updates required significant manual effort despite having only 24 promotional periods per year. Even so, errors were unavoidable.
Around 5% of shelf labels displayed incorrect prices, leading to frustration at checkout and unnecessary pressure on store staff, as well as a reduction in customer satisfaction levels.
By automating pricing updates, Winkler Markt not only reduced operational workload but also eliminated one of retail’s most common friction points—pricing discrepancies. Customer satisfaction improves with the benefits of accurate pricing and up-to-date promotions on the shelf. This transparency reduces confusion, builds trust, and creates a smoother shopping experience.
Given the scale of the €120,000 investment, durability was a must-have. DIGI ESLs were selected for their proven robustness, particularly in high-demand areas such as delicatessen service counters.
According to Konrad Sittenberger, Managing Director of Kandolf DIGI Austria, this capability is a true differentiator: “Our DIGI e.Labels are practically indestructible and are significantly more robust than other systems to meet the demands of use in delicatessen counters.”
Another standout feature is the e.Label’s integrated Hi-Touch sensor. Staff can see the item displayed on the scale instantly when they touch the e.Label— removing the need for manual input and accelerating service. “This is a huge help for our delicatessen team,” says Strutz, highlighting the benefits that improved on speed and accuracy at the counter.
Kandolf DIGI Austria managed the entire project— from POS and inventory system integration to installation, staff training, and custom template creation. Special holders were developed for fruits, vegetables, and fish, ensuring branding and consistency across all departments.
“What made the difference was the close partnership,” Strutz emphasises. Kandolf DIGI Austria understands how we operate and implements exactly what matters to us.
Beyond price automation, ESLs have unlocked new possibilities for Winkler Markt, including displaying country of origin, delivery information , and stock levels— applications already proven in other markets. While dynamic pricing is not yet on the agenda, the infrastructure is now firmly in place.
For Winkler Markt, ESLs are not just a technology upgrade— they are a strategic step toward a more resilient, efficient, and future-ready retail operation.
“With Kandolf DIGI Austria, we’ve found exactly the right partner,” Strutz concludes. We believe in our approach and our positioning and want to continue on our path.
