An example of ZBD Solutions' electronic shelf tags. Image via ZBD.

Some new technology will soon be coming to the aisles of your local PCC store. The Seattle natural food market will begin testing new "eco-friendly" shelf tags later this year which utilize small LCD displays rather than paper labels.

The "epaper" technology -- developed by Britain's ZBD Solutions -- allows retailers to change pricing or product information on the fly without having to print out new labels.

Leave it to PCC -- a cooperative which is known for its forward-thinking environmentalism -- to give "epaper" a try in the grocery aisles. If successful during the trial period at the Fremont store, the company will roll out the new electronic shelf tags at all of nine stores in the Seattle area.

In addition to pricing information, the new shelf tags also can show how many items are in stock, nutritional information, logos or even the prices at competitors' stores.

“We respect our customers’ time and food budgets, as well as their right to know as much about the products we sell as possible,” said PCC Tracy Wolpert in a statement. “And ZBD’s epops will help them to more quickly make informed product selections."

It also should help PCC employees save time from printing or writing out new labels when prices change or products move in the store. And it can help the retailer more effectively gauge when product supplies are diminishing on the shelves.

The Italian supermarket giant SISA is already using the technology in some of its stores.