What: Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is in the fashion spotlight as omnichannel and resale present new uses post-pandemic.

Why it is important: RFID technology is allowing retailers to reduce inventory count time, increase supply chain visibility to offer new omnichannel services, as well as for authentication of resold goods.

Covid has forced many retailers to rethink their strategies and how they engage with customers as well as how they extend their experience online and in stores.

Scotch & Soda is switching all inventory to RFID to be able to count inventory in a matter of seconds as well as gain visibility on its entire stock, whether it be online or offline. With the use of RFID scanners, the retailers can have a better understanding of its inventory, allowing new capabilities like ship-from-store, click-and-collect and in-store tracking.

RFID, near-field communication (NFC) and QR codes have been finding more use cases in the retail landscape. Retailers such as Mango, Adidas, Nike, Ebay, AZ Factory and Vestiatie Collective have all started enabling their items with these types of technologies.  Adding these ‘smart labels’ allows full supply chain visibility and enhanced customer experiences, but it can also be used beyond the point of sale. This can be used for product identification and validity in the resale market.

RFID: The tech shaking up fashion’s inventory load