Interview • 15.03.2023

Digital label - Unpacked in a new way

TareTag makes it possible to display product information even if you bring your own containers.

Unpackaged stores offer their customers the opportunity to buy products in the containers they bring along themselves, thus avoiding packaging waste.

However, much of the information that informs customers about ingredients, origin or brand is lost as soon as they leave the store. TareTag has recognized this problem and developed a possible solution.

Man with gray hair and dark jacket in front of a customer terminal at EuroShop...
Michael Albert is one of the founders and CEO of TareTag GmbH
Source: beta-web GmbH / Matthias Groß

Mr. Albert, what solutions does TareTag offer?

Michael Albert: TareTag offers two features. The first is the refilling of containers. The goal here is to have as little disposable packaging as possible circulating in the store and instead to use as many deposit containers or customers' own containers as possible. With TareTag, customers can fill containers of their choice and then use these containers again and again.

Today's unpacked stores work according to a very complex system, which we have greatly simplified with the help of a digital label including a QR code. This QR code offers the additional advantage that customers can still track exactly what is in a container at home. With the help of our app, the QR code on the jar can be scanned and all product information can be accessed. This includes ingredients, nutritional values, origin, brand and more. All the information that is normally printed on a disposable container is stored here by the QR code.

The second big feature is the management of deposit systems. With TareTag, any container, even disposable containers, can be turned into a deposit container. This means that store owners can create, manage and account for their own deposit pools. Other deposit systems can also be included. TareTag thus offers a possible standard for linking the multitude of new start-ups, for example, so that deposit containers from Munich can also be handed in in Hamburg.

How do retailers benefit from this in concrete terms?

Albert: Retailers have various advantages from the system. On the one hand, there is the image advantage that comes about when retailers use and circulate sustainable reusable packaging instead of disposable packaging. This is something that will also be increasingly demanded by the legislator. In this respect, we offer a very easy-to-use tool. On the other hand, using it means speeding up processes. Certain actions, such as the scanning of products, are outsourced to the customers. They are already familiar with similar systems, e.g., from buying screws at the hardware store, so they are not overwhelmed.

What do retailers have to do to use the TareTag system? Are there any technical requirements?

Albert: TareTag offers an interface for cash register systems. The suppliers of cash registers have to program this interface once into their system. We are already in talks with many of these providers, who are showing great interest. Currently, we are a cooperation partner of Conema e.K., who have already configured their cash register systems accordingly. This is particularly interesting for new openings, as we can guarantee smooth operation with Conema. All other cash register providers require the interface programming mentioned. 

Are there already plans to expand the portfolio?

Albert: We have been developing TareTag for three and a half years and have seen incredible potential in that time. We can't even foresee much of it today. Every new development step leads to new possibilities. Our app is currently still in a "light" version, where you don't have to register. However, with the future implementation of registration, many new possibilities will arise, such as dealer search, bonus programs or tracking systems for the deposit containers. We have many more ideas.

Interview: Matthias Groß

related articles:

popular articles:

Thumbnail-Photo: Retail sustainability strategies lag as inflation threatens to pause...
04.11.2022   #retail #sustainability

Retail sustainability strategies lag as inflation threatens to pause investment

Bain & Company urges retailers to nudge consumers towards more sustainable behaviors and focus more on circular consumption models that reduce waste

Higher inflation is intensifying pressure on already thin margins throughout the supply chain. But recent shocks also highlight the need for supply chains to be reinvented to be more agile, more resilient, more efficient and more sustainable. ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Macy’s announces sustainable initiatives to drive a more circular...
30.09.2022   #sustainability #Tech in Retail

Macy’s announces sustainable initiatives to drive a more circular future

Through its social purpose platform, Mission Every One, Macy’s, Inc. is committed to creating a brighter future for all

Macy’s, Inc. has provided an update detailing its achievements towards its long-term sustainability goals – including initiatives that promote circularity throughout its value chain. ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Innovative Specials at EuroShop 2023
20.01.2023   #brick and mortar retail #retail

Innovative Specials at EuroShop 2023

Interactive areas for ideas and visions in retail provide new approaches for the future of inner cities and retail as well as multi-sensorial places

The Specials of EuroShop, the World’s No. 1 Retail Trade Fair, will again provide exciting impulses for the future of retail this year. From 26 February to 2 March 2023 the eight Specials in total will invite visitors to join in, network and ...

Thumbnail-Photo: How the COVID pandemic has upended brick-and-mortar retailing...
17.10.2022   #brick and mortar retail #customer satisfaction

How the COVID pandemic has upended brick-and-mortar retailing

Consumer behavior: “Ten years of digital transformation happened in two years”

There is no question that the Corona pandemic has changed the retail industry. Brian Dammeir, President North America at payment service provider Adyen, explains clearly which developments ...

Thumbnail-Photo: E-commerce: For better, but also for worse!
12.12.2022   #e-commerce #sustainability

E-commerce: For better, but also for worse!

How to optimally reach the clientele in current times of crisis

Inflation, rising energy costs, Covid - these crises currently have Germany firmly in their grip and are consequently influencing consumer behaviour in the country in the long term. Due to rising living costs, German consumers are currently holding ...

Thumbnail-Photo: More than one third of consumers plan to spend less this holiday season...
23.11.2022   #online trading #e-commerce

More than one third of consumers plan to spend less this holiday season

Consumer preferences for online shopping fluctuates while popularity of omnichannel shopping continues to climb

Applause has announced the 2022 results of its third annual global survey on holiday shopping trends. The research showed a marked increase in consumers returning to physical store locations. Eighty two percent of consumers said they were ...

Thumbnail-Photo: E-Commerce Berlin Expo 2023
21.11.2022   #e-commerce #retail

E-Commerce Berlin Expo 2023

Be inspired by e-commerce trends, use cases, forecasts and presentations from leading industry experts

The E-Commerce Berlin Expo is the largest pure-play e-commerce event in the capital city of Germany. The conference attracts over 8,000 visitors and more than 200 exhibitors, making it an insightful e-commerce fest. ...

Thumbnail-Photo: First retailers announced for Royalmount shopping centre...
11.11.2022   #brick and mortar retail #retail

First retailers announced for Royalmount shopping centre

Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany & Co. and RH with new presence in Montreal's new Midtown destination

Royalmount, Montreal's future destination for over 170 stores including 60 restaurants and experiential attractions, has announced that Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., RH, Sandro and Maje have been confirmed for the major new retail and ...

Thumbnail-Photo: NRF says GDP growth is slower but consumer spending remains positive...
02.01.2023   #retail #customer analysis

NRF says GDP growth is slower but consumer spending remains positive

Gross domestic product isn’t likely to grow as much in the final months of 2022 as it did in the third quarter, but consumer spending should remain strong

The National Retail Federation has published its GDP predictions for the last quarter of 2022. The results should hardly come as a surprise to close observers. ...

Thumbnail-Photo: How to win the Amazon algorithm
20.10.2022   #online trading #event

How to win the Amazon algorithm

Salsify webinar on 27th October 2022

Amazon’s data shows that 70 percent of Amazon customers never click past the first page of search results. But how can your brand’s products reach - and stay on - the first page of search results? Product content is a main component ...

Supplier

salsify
salsify
7 rue de Madrid
75008 Paris