Efficient retailing

RFID is offering retailing, employees and customers a number of advantages. Many applications can already be seen in action in stores today. Others are still being tested.

Today, retailing is mainly using RFID to optimize processes in logistics and warehouse management. Transponders are attached to pallets, clothing shipments and cartons. RFID ensures that the entire supply chain is transparent – from the manufacturer to the front store. Workers in warehouses can process incoming and outgoing goods quickly and easily. Those in charge know exactly how much stock is still in the warehouse. As stock levels are managed actively, average levels can be reduced. Painstakingly counting every single item is a thing of the past as stock levels can be checked using the merchandise management system.

In the future, the technology is going to be offering more promising applications. RFID is also going to safeguard the quality of goods en route from the manufacturer to the store. RFID temperature sensors will register if the cold chain has been interrupted during shipment. Customers stand to benefit from the technology too. But for them to do so, items on the sales floor have to be tagged with RFID transponders. This scenario is already being tested in a number of pilot projects. RFID readers in Smart Dressing Rooms or Smart Mirrors are already identifying the items customers have chosen and are displaying available sizes and colors as well as possible combinations. Smart Shelves equipped with RFID are already warning the merchandise management system if stocks are running low. Shop staff can then refill the shelves quickly and in line with demand. Special terminals offer information about the products and their origin. And in the future customers will be able to pay for their purchases by simply passing by a reader. This then automatically records all items in the trolley, and stacking everything on the conveyor will at last be a thing of the past.