Method and articles for in-store shelf merchandise identification and mapping

Abstract

A merchandise information system and printing method is disclosed that allows for retail merchandise information to be printed in a web format and separated into merchandise information strips to be wound around a core or self-wound. The wound merchandise information is customized to be printed and wound in an order that corresponds to the layout of a retail establishment. The wound merchandise information is shipped to the retail establishment in wound form and can be easily applied to the shelves within the retail establishment.

1 . A method for providing merchandise information at a retail establishment comprising the steps of:
 a) receiving data from one or more retail establishments wherein the data includes product details about a plurality of products sold at the one or more retail establishments and a location of the plurality of products within the one or more retail establishments;   b) using the data from the one or more retail establishments to create one or more electronic files containing the merchandise information to be printed onto a substrate, wherein each electronic file includes the merchandise information relating to more than one product and each electronic file contains a plurality of product location identifiers so that the merchandise information will be printed in an order that corresponds with the location of the plurality of products within the one or more retail establishments;   c) grouping the one or more electronic files into one or more print groupings so the one or more electronic files in a same print grouping that correspond to one complete retail establishment or multiple aisles of an individual retail establishment will be printed onto the substrate;   d) providing the substrate so that at least one print grouping can be printed onto the substrate such that a first electronic file within the at least one print grouping is printed in a first horizontal row and subsequent electronic files within the at least one print grouping are printed in adjacent horizontal rows;   e) printing on a printer in a location separate from the one or more retail establishments at least one print grouping onto the substrate, wherein each of the adjacent horizontal rows is capable of containing all necessary merchandise information for the one complete retail establishment or the multiple aisles within the retail establishment, and wherein a sequence of the merchandise information printed within one horizontal row is consistent with product location within one corresponding retail establishment;   f) separating each horizontal row from any of the adjacent horizontal rows;   g) spooling each horizontal row into one or more merchandise information rolls;   h) providing the one or more merchandise information rolls with an indicator allowing a user to identify the location within the one or more retail establishments in which the one or more merchandise information rolls should be placed;   i) loading the one or more merchandise information rolls into one or more application devices before transporting to the one or more retail establishments, wherein each application device includes a cutting mechanism configured for cutting or separating one portion of one of the one or more merchandise information rolls from a second portion of the one of the one or more merchandise information rolls; and   i) transporting the one or more merchandise information rolls and the one or more application devices to the one or more retail establishments for installation onto shelving, so that the merchandise information can be immediately attached to the shelving or displays of the one or more retail establishments with the one or more application devices and without first organizing the merchandise information according to the product location within the one or more retail establishments.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the adjacent horizontal rows contains similar or identical merchandise information. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more merchandise information rolls are each distributed to one or more corresponding retail establishments. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the one or more merchandise information rolls are each distributed to a different location of the same retail establishment. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the merchandise information roll is printed onto an adhesive material and includes a liner. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the merchandise information is printed onto both sides of the adjacent horizontal rows. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more merchandise information rolls are spooled around a core or self-wound. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the printed horizontal rows are wound before or after separation from the adjacent horizontal rows. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the product details received from the retail establishment include a bar code information, an RFID information, or both. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more merchandise information rolls are free of any marking indicative of spacing along shelving or between products. 
     
     
         11 . A method for providing merchandise information at a retail establishment comprising the steps of:
 a) providing data to a supplier of merchandise information rolls wherein the data includes product details about a plurality of products sold at the retail establishment;   b) providing location information to the supplier identifying the location of the one or more products within the retail establishment;   c) forming one or more merchandise information rolls at a location of the supplier by:
 i) printing via a printer a plurality of adjacent horizontal rows, wherein a sequence of merchandise information printed within one horizontal row is consistent with product location within the retail establishment; 
 ii) separating each horizontal row from any of the adjacent horizontal rows by a separation mechanism; 
 iii) spooling each horizontal row into the one or more merchandise information rolls; 
 iv) locating the one or more merchandise information rolls within one or more application devices, wherein each application device includes a cutting mechanism configured for cutting and/or separating one portion of one of the one or more merchandise information rolls from a second portion of the one of the one or more merchandise information rolls; 
   d) receiving the one or more merchandise information rolls and the one or more application devices at the retail establishment, wherein the one or more merchandise information rolls include merchandise information reflecting the product details provided to the supplier and wherein the sequence of the merchandise information on the one or more merchandise information rolls reflects the location information provided to the supplier;   e) identifying the location within the retail establishment identified on the one or more merchandise information rolls, wherein the merchandise information can be immediately attached to shelving or displays of the retail establishment with the aid of the application device without first organizing the merchandise information according to product location within the retail establishment;   e) attaching the merchandise information to an edge of a first shelf with the aid of the application device, wherein the edge is shaped to accept the merchandise information;   f) locating merchandise onto the shelves according to the merchandise information; and   g) selling the merchandise.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the merchandise information rolls are spooled around one or more cores or are self-wound. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the product details include a bar code information, an RFID information, or both. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the product details include images of retail products to be placed upon corresponding shelves. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the one or more merchandise information rolls are free of any marking indicative of spacing along shelving or between products. 
     
     
         16 . A kit for providing merchandise information on shelving or displays within a retail establishment comprising:
 a) a product layout that identifies one or more locations within a retail establishment where merchandise is to be displayed;   b) a merchandise information roll, wherein the merchandise information roll includes an indicator allowing a user to identify the one or more locations within the retail establishment where the merchandise information roll should be placed; and   c) an application device in which the merchandise information roll is located, wherein the application device includes a cutting mechanism configured for cutting and/or separating one portion of the merchandise information roll from a second portion of the merchandise information roll.   
     
     
         17 . The kit according to  claim 16 , wherein the merchandise information roll is free of any marking indicative of spacing along shelving or between products. 
     
     
         18 . The kit according to  claim 17 , wherein the merchandise information can be immediately attached to shelving or displays of the retail establishment without first organizing the merchandise information according to product location within the retail establishment. 
     
     
         19 . The kit according to  claim 17 , wherein the kit further includes a means for attaching merchandise information to shelves or displays within a retail establishment. 
     
     
         20 . The kit according to  claim 17 , wherein the merchandise roll is printed onto one horizontal rows which is capable of containing all necessary merchandise information for an entire retail establishment wherein the sequence of the printed merchandise information within one horizontal row is consistent with product location within one corresponding retail establishment.