Behind every accurate price, every compliant product label and every transparent transaction, is a network of technology that most shoppers don’t ever notice. As retailers navigate tighter margins, stricter regulations and rising consumer expectations, the evolution of labels and scales has become critical to operational efficiency and customer trust.

Far from being simple identifiers or measuring tools, modern labels and scales now form an integrated ecosystem that connects supply chains, ensures compliance, reduces waste and delivers real-time accuracy that meets today’s omnichannel retail demands. This is particularly evident across our major FMCG retailers where behind-the-scenes investment in weighing and labelling technology is reshaping how the store and each department operate.

The labelling landscape: compliance meets sustainability

Large retailers operate in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Extended Producer Responsibility legislation, allergen disclosure requirements and nutritional labelling standards mean that every product label must be accurate, compliant and capable of communicating detailed information to consumers. At the same time, sustainability pressures are forcing the industry to rethink label materials and printing processes.

An offshoot of this reality is the shift towards mono-material labels, which is one of the most significant changes seen in this space in recent years. According to industry specialists, label converters are moving away from complex multi-layer laminates that compromise recyclability and are adopting simpler substrates that integrate cleanly into existing recycling streams. Bidvest Labels, which comprises leading labelling companies Rotolabel, S&N Labels and Spec Systems, has embraced technologies which ensure that labels and adhesives separate from PET bottles during recycling, improving the yield of food-grade recycled PET.

The company has also introduced thinner, lighter films that reduce raw material consumption without compromising label performance as a practical response to both environmental concerns and cost pressures. Through its three divisions, Bidvest Labels prints for FMCG, the personal care, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, wine producers, and industrial applications.

Cape Town-based Rotolabel, a division of Bidvest Labels that focuses on self-adhesive and product labels, has also expanded into tailored smart label solutions, with managing executive Wicus Maritz noting that track-and-trace capabilities embedded in labels provide visibility throughout the supply chain. This approach improves route efficiency, reduces wastage and ensures optimal stock levels, particularly in cold chain logistics where timing and temperature control are critical.

Recent industry exhibitions have showcased the pace of innovation. At Propak Africa 2025, global leaders in labels and packaging CCL, demon strated new generation In-mould labels (IML) that are directly moulded into containers during manufacturing, eliminating adhesive application and creating labels that are highly durable while aiding recyclability. These sustainable solutions offer a premium look and feel without compromising environmental credentials, exactly the balance South African retailers are seeking.

According to Propak Africa, CCL has also introduced advanced labels “designed to detach from packaging without leaving residue, even at low temperatures. This innovation is particularly beneficial for beverage packaging, where traditional labels can be challenging to remove. By detaching easily at lower temperatures, this label significantly reduces energy consumption during the cleaning process and extends its application beyond glass bottles to refillable PET bottles. A key feature of this label is its environmental friendliness.

It is constructed to release no substances during washing, minimising the environmental impact from inks and adhesives. Additionally, the washing water remains cleaner longer, reducing the frequency of water changes and further enhancing the sustainability of the process, providing an economic and ecological solution to meet sustainability goals.”

The adoption of sustainable label materials is not simply about meeting regulations. Major brands are actively transitioning to recyclable substrates, biodegradable films and eco-friendly adhesives as consumer awareness grows. Forest Film, a wood based plastic label alternative, and compostable ranges such as Avery Dennison’s, ClearIntent are gaining traction, though infrastructure challenges around industrial composting remain a constraint in South Africa.

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