Case study · Ireland · Clonmel (Co. Tipperary)
A Tesco that announces itself from the top of the aisle.
Tesco Extra Clonmel combines NaviLens on its aisle headers and on the brands it sells — Kellogg's, Weetabix, Pringles and Pampers — so any shopper can find the section and pick the right product without asking for help.
Clonmel
Tesco · Co. Tipperary, Ireland
Aisle headers
Aisle signage fitted with a NaviLens code
FMCG packaging
Kellogg's · Weetabix · Pringles · Pampers
42
Languages read aloud by the app
The client
Tesco Extra Clonmel — Co. Tipperary, Ireland
Tesco Extra Clonmel sits in the Powerstown Centre (Inner Relief Road, E91 R620), one of the flagship hypermarkets of southern Ireland. It is part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network and offers accessible parking, an assistance-dog welcome, level access, seating and a Changing Places toilet.
On top of that baseline, NaviLens adds a layer of information that lives in two places: on the aisle signage itself — section headers like "Drinks" — and on the packaging of brands that have already adopted the technology (Kellogg's, Weetabix, Pringles and Pampers).
Tesco Ireland has been reinforcing its accessibility programme for years: Sunflower lanyards, staff training and, in 2025, an in-store pilot with the Be My Eyes app to connect blind customers with sighted assistants. NaviLens completes that strategy with an autonomous voice on both the aisle header and the product.
§ The challenge
Making the supermarket and the product speak the same language.
- 01
Finding the section without asking for help
In a modern Tesco Extra, aisles are identified by their green corporate headers ("Drinks", "Cereals", "Baby"). For blind or low-vision shoppers, spotting them from a distance and understanding what lay underneath still meant relying on staff or a companion.
- 02
Reaching the right product on the shelf
Once in the section, telling apart two almost identical cereal boxes, a nappy size from the next one up or a Pringles flavour was nearly impossible without help. The shelf-edge price label doesn't solve the problem — what's needed is to hear the product itself.
- 03
Connecting brand, store and customer
Tesco Ireland has worked on accessibility for years — Sunflower Lanyard, in-store assistance, a Be My Eyes pilot in 2025. What was missing was a layer of information that travels with the product and announces itself inside the store too.
§ The solution
One code next to the sign and the pack.
Tesco Clonmel places NaviLens codes on the green aisle headers — "Drinks" and other sections — and on the packaging of leading brands that have already rolled the technology out across Ireland and the UK (Kellogg's, Weetabix, Pringles and Pampers).
The NaviLens GO app detects codes from several metres away, at an angle and in motion, and reads them in 42 languages: the same person locates the aisle, hears what is on offer and compares products without needing to ask anyone.
§ Timeline
From the aisle header to the nappy pack.
- Store
Aisle headers with NaviLens
The green "Drinks" headers (and others across Tesco Clonmel) include a NaviLens code centred between the words. It is detected from several metres away at the start of the aisle and announces what is sold underneath.
- Shelf
NaviLens GO codes on leading brands
On the shelf itself, Kellogg's All-Bran and Weetabix Mega Pack carry the NaviLens code on the front — the first category to adopt it in Ireland in 2022. Next to them, Pringles tubes carry the code on the lid and Pampers packs (Premium Protection and Pants) highlight it next to the claim "Scan with NaviLens GO App for product info".
- Shopper
Autonomous shopping with a guide dog and the app
A shopper with a guide dog walks the milk fridges with her phone and the NaviLens app open: the combination of aisle header + on-pack codes lets her locate the section and choose the product without depending on a companion.
§ Walkthrough
From the aisle header to the product in hand.
Aisle header
"Drinks" section with a NaviLens code
The green "Drinks" sign at Tesco Clonmel features a NaviLens code centred between the two words. Any shopper with the NaviLens GO app picks it up from the start of the aisle and hears what drinks are sold, what fresh items are on offer and so on — without walking up to the shelf.
Cereals
Kellogg's All-Bran Original
The Kellogg's All-Bran packs on the shelf carry the NaviLens code next to the logo. Kellogg's Ireland was the first FMCG brand in the country to adopt the technology (Irish Examiner / RetailNews, 2022): the code reads aloud the product name, allergens and nutrition.
Cereals
Weetabix Mega Pack
The Weetabix Mega Pack also carries a NaviLens code on the front. The app detects it from several metres away and narrates the format (72 biscuits), the origin of the wheat and the nutritional information, even when the shopper cannot read the front of the box.
Snacks
Pringles — codes on the lid
In the snacks aisle, Pringles tubes carry NaviLens codes on the lid. A shopper with an OrCam device and a shoulder bag scans the boxes to tell flavours apart — Salt & Vinegar, Sour Cream, Paprika — without having to read each tube up close.
Baby
Pampers Premium Protection "new baby"
The Pampers Premium Protection size 2 pack (4-8 kg) highlights the NaviLens code next to the claim "Scan with NaviLens GO App for product info". It reads aloud the size, weight, nappy count and features such as "Derma Comfort Layer" or "0 % EU Perfume Allergens".
Baby
Pampers Pants size 5
Pampers Pants size 5 (12-17 kg) repeat the NaviLens code on the red information band, next to the same "Scan with NaviLens GO App" claim. It lets a blind or low-vision parent tell apart two almost identical sizes on the shelf without asking for help.
Shopper
Shopping with a guide dog at the fridges
A shopper with a white guide dog and an OrCam device walks the milk fridges at Tesco Clonmel: the combination of NaviLens headers, on-pack codes and personal device lets her do the shop without a human companion.
§ Results
An autonomous shop, from the door to the trolley.
Aisle + pack
Aisle header and product announce themselves with the same app
Global brands
Kellogg's, Weetabix, Pringles and Pampers read aloud straight from the shelf
Real autonomy
Blind and low-vision shoppers decide and compare without asking for help
§ What they said
“Kellogg's announced today that its world-first technology will be permanently added to all of its cereal boxes in Ireland to make them accessible to blind and partially sighted shoppers — using NaviLens codes to allow a smartphone to detect and play back labelling and allergen information.”
“Tesco Ireland — Clonmel offers accessibility services (Accessible parking, Assistance dog friendly, Level access, Seating available, Changing Places toilet) and is part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower store network.”
“Tesco has taken steps to make shopping in stores more accessible for its blind and partially sighted customers with a new app, partnering with customer accessibility platform Be My Eyes for an in-store trial in 2025.”
§ And your store?
Every aisle can guide any customer.
Tell us about your store network and your customer journeys. We’ll show you how NaviLens would fit in aisles, entrances and services.
