The smart retail shelf market is expected to grow from $5.1bn in 2025 to $6.3bn this year, and reaching $17.76bn by 2031, a CAGR of 23.12%, according to Mordor Intelligence.

The market is gaining attention as retailers increase investments in electronic shelf labels, RFID-enabled inventory tracking, computer vision systems and connected retail infrastructure. Growing pressure to reduce operational costs, improve shelf visibility and maintain accurate pricing is encouraging retailers to adopt smart shelf systems across stores and warehouses.

The smart shelf industry is also benefiting from labour shortages, rising retail automation needs and sustainability goals linked to paperless pricing systems. Retailers are using smart shelf technology to improve stock visibility, automate planogram compliance and reduce product shrinkage. Real-time shelf monitoring and connected retail data systems are becoming part of daily store operations, especially in supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores. These factors are supporting steady market growth across developed and emerging retail sectors.

One of the major smart shelf market trends is the wider deployment of electronic shelf labels (ESLs) in retail stores. Retailers are replacing paper labels with digital displays to simplify price updates and reduce manual work. ESLs also help stores maintain pricing accuracy across multiple locations while supporting promotions and dynamic pricing strategies.

Large retail chains are integrating ESLs with central inventory platforms to improve operational consistency. The move towards paperless shelf management is also supporting sustainability goals in the retail sector. As stores focus on improving efficiency and customer engagement, demand for ESL-based smart shelf systems continues to increase.

RFID technology is becoming an important part of the industry due to its ability to track products in real time. Retailers are using RFID tags and readers to improve stock visibility, reduce out-of-stock situations and manage inventory movement more effectively. The use of RFID-based smart shelves is expanding in supermarkets, specialty stores and warehouses where inventory accuracy is critical. Retailers are also adopting low-power RFID systems to lower operational costs while maintaining real-time inventory updates. This shift is supporting smart shelf market share expansion among retailers looking for better inventory control.

Vision-based smart shelves are gaining traction as retailers seek faster and more accurate shelf analysis. Cameras combined with edge AI software help retailers monitor planogram compliance, detect misplaced products and identify empty shelf spaces within seconds. Retailers are increasingly using these systems to improve merchandising decisions and support retail media strategies. Real-time shelf intelligence is helping stores react quickly to demand changes and product movement. This growing reliance on shelf analytics is contributing to long-term smart shelf market forecast expansion across global retail chains.

Automation is becoming a key part of the smart shelf market as retailers work to reduce labour dependency and improve operational speed. Smart shelf systems are being introduced in hypermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies and distribution centres to automate pricing, stock tracking and shelf management. Retailers are also focusing on improving customer experience through connected store infrastructure. Automated shelf management supports faster replenishment, better pricing accuracy and smoother store operations.

Key players in the smart shelf market include Vusion Group, Pricer, Hanshow Technology, Displaydata and Solum.

For more on the report, visit www.mordorintelligence.com/ja/industry-reports/smart-shelf-market.