The power of RFID

Revolutionizing Retail: the power of RFID in sales, inventory management and more

RFID refers to radio frequency identification technology (RFID: Radio Frequency IDetification) which allows objects to be identified and tracked through RFID systems. This technology is used in the retail sector for a variety of purposes, including sales, inventory management, loss prevention and improving the customer experience.

In the retail context, RFID technology can be applied to individual products or even to physical areas such as shelves, shop windows or in and out of the store. By labeling specific products or areas with RFID, stores can get detailed information about the location and movement of products in real time.

Some common uses of RFID technology in retail include

Inventory management: RFID technology allows retail to track inventory more accurately in real time. It helps to avoid stock shortages and optimise inventory levels. It is also very useful in receiving the material to Retail since the time spent on the review is usually high, while when using RFID it is not necessary for an employee to open the box and scan each of the products. With this solution you can simultaneously scan up to 800 references per second, ie in a couple of seconds you have the box accounted for.

Storage: being able to check the merchandise if you need to open each of the boxes also makes the storage and inventory very agile and fast.

Inventory Management & Storage

RFID labeling not only notifies the warehouse which items need to be replaced, also streamlines inventory control, significantly reducing the time needed compared to traditional methods. This level of control over the warehouse means that the company can make more accurate decisions about what to replenish and when to order, avoiding surplus and unnecessary expenses. This strategy demonstrates Retail’s commitment to engagement, improving operational efficiency and providing a smoother shopping experience for its customers.

Loss prevention: By integrating RFID technology into product identification, stores can closely monitor product movements and detect potential losses.

When companies reach a level of growth that involves sending articles to different parts of the world for publishing or events, a significant challenge arises: the risk of loss. These articles not only circulate internally between a company’s departments or between its international offices, but are also key pieces to send to journalists and influencers before they reach the final consumer. They therefore represent a considerable monetary and brand value.

Fortunately, there are tracking tools that employ RFID tags to accurately control the movement of these products. These tools let you know which products have left, their current location, whether they have returned to the office or if they are elsewhere. Thanks to this innovation, fashion companies can reduce product losses by up to 85%. A prominent example is the American brand Kate Spade, which uses a sample management system with RFID technology to optimize its processes and protect its inventory of valuable samples.

Combating counterfeiting: The integration of RFID technology in the fight against counterfeiting has motivated companies to look for methods to guarantee the authenticity of their products, with RFID being a crucial tool in this process. By inserting microchips into the products, it is not only easier to verify their authenticity through scans, but also possible to track them. Several luxury goods manufacturers have adopted this technology for the same purpose, seeking to prevent fraudulent reproduction of garments from their collections. These brands offer their customers mobile applications or web services that allow them to scan newly purchased products to ensure their authenticity.

Improving the customer experience: RFID technology can be used to create interactive in-store experiences. For example, shops can implement interactive window displays that show information about products when customers touch or approach them.

Improve customer experience: RFID technology can be used to create interactive experiences in the store. For example, stores can implement interactive windows that show information about products when customers touch or approach them.

Advantage of rfid

According to Expansión, Kurt Salmon, a consulting firm within Accenture Strategy, believes that adopters of RFID technology will have a competitive advantage in implementing new and innovative technologies to address business challenges, thanks to the detailed data offered by RFID and the real-time traceability of specific products.

Success stories

This technology is already used by retail companies such as El Corte Inglés, Mango, Decathlon, Inditex, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Salvatore Ferragano, Amazon Go or in medical centers, sports events, libraries, etc.

In the fascinating world of Burberry, the implementation of RFID labeling in its garments in the United States opens a new universe of possibilities for our customers. They can now interact with their mobile phones to access detailed information about their products and receive personalized recommendations.

Salvatore Ferragano and Moncler are prominent examples of companies committed to combating counterfeiting through the use of RFID technology. Since 2014, Salvatore Ferragano has been employing this technology to guarantee the authenticity of its products and track their location, demonstrating its strong commitment to quality and authenticity. Following the same goal, Moncler, another renowned brand, has also implemented RFID to protect its products from counterfeiting and ensure an authentic shopping experience for its customers.

In recent years, Inditex has stood out for its commitment to technology and innovation, recognising its importance to remain competitive in the retail market. The Galician multinational's implementation of RFID tagging exemplifies its approach to engagement. This technology allows employees to know the precise location of garments in the warehouse and efficiently manage product replenishment.

Optima Retail is an innovative Facility Management company that among its services offers the conditioning of