Co-op products are being given an accessibility overhaul thanks to the incorporation of NaviLens technology, which will support the retailer's initiative to make the shopping process easier for customers with visual impairments.
The packaging update is being rolled out to Co-op's private label paper products range and will feature the high-contrast codes that can be detected by the free NaviLens smartphone app from many feet away. This will allow shoppers to seamlessly decipher the right paper product for them and thus support more confident decision making in-store. The initiative comes as the first-of-its-kind for private label paper products and is being supported through a partnership with WEPA who manufacturers the hygiene paper products.
Co-op Technical Manager Janet Lawrence commented on the initiative saying, "This initiative is an important step in paving the way for future innovation in grocery retail, demonstrating how technology can be used to create a more inclusive shopping environment and improved experience for blind and visually impaired customers.”
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Accessible Packaging
- High-contrast smart codes on everyday products create new possibilities for inclusive packaging that helps visually impaired shoppers identify items independently.
- Smart Private Label
- Retailer-owned brands are becoming testbeds for embedded digital tools that differentiate commodity products through utility, accessibility, and in-store guidance.
- Inclusive Retail Technology
- Mobile-enabled navigation and product recognition systems signal a shift toward store environments designed around broader sensory and accessibility needs.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Grocery Retail
- Supermarkets can use accessible product identification to strengthen customer loyalty while modernizing physical shopping experiences for underserved consumers.
- Consumer Packaged Goods
- Packaging manufacturers gain room to innovate beyond branding and compliance by integrating scannable systems that deliver real-time product information.
- Assistive Technology
- Accessibility platforms are expanding into mainstream retail applications, connecting smartphone-based tools with consumer goods to improve daily decision-making.
