Press Release – New Technology Eliminates GST Labour

1 October, 2010

NEW TECHNOLOGY ELIMINATES GST LABOUR

GST price changes were a breeze for staff at CRT FarmCentre in Waterloo Rd, Christchurch yesterday thanks to some cutting-edge technology.

CRT is the first agricultural firm in the world to introduce the Electronic Labelling System (ELS) which was invented by Pricer in Sweden twenty years ago, and is used by high turnover retail outlets throughout the world.

Infrared light is used to send and receive data to electronic labels located on product shelving after pricing is altered through the back office.

CRT district manager Jason McMillan said the whole pricing changeover would have taken two days if staff had to manually change the 2500 price labels.

This new system meant prices were changed in 25 seconds. That’s a huge labour and print saving and means our staff are free to serve shareholders and customers rather than having to go through the former drawn out process.

CRT retail general manager Aaron Gordon said the company was piloting the system at Waterloo Rd after two years of investigation and discussion with nzesl, the company which has exclusive rights to sell the system in New Zealand.

The technology also means the company can adjust pricing as market competition changes.

It means we can keep up with competitive pricing. We can reduce our prices in a matter of a few minutes – rather than having to wait for labels to be printed and then changed on the shelf.

Prices are entered at a separate back office location about 8km away from the pilot store, but the system has the potential to feed prices to CRT FarmCentres all around New Zealand.

Customers know when they take an item to the till what they will be charged for it – this creates far better customer satisfaction. McMillan said the introduction of the technology had been well received by shareholders and customers.

They are impressed we are bringing out cutting-edge technology. It means they have confidence in the co-operative.

NZESL managing director Jared Thompson said once a price was changed on the label a message would be sent to verify it had happened.

You’re 100 per cent guaranteed on price integrity. The labels have a battery life of 8 to 10 years and can hold up to 32 pages of information.

L to R - Jared Thompson (Nzesl) and Aaron Gordon (CRT)

L to R - Aaron Gordon (CRT) Jared Thompson (Nzesl)

Electronic Labelling System (ELS) at CRT's Christchurch FarmCentre

Electronic Labelling System (ELS) at CRT's Christchurch FarmCentre

About CRT

CRT is a co-operative owned by more than 24,700 shareholders. Its purpose is to continue to create competition in the market for a wide range of farm supplies and services. Shareholders benefit from monthly rebates on purchases, a loyalty rewards programme and bonus rebate distributions of year end surpluses.

Source: CRT Co-operative