Iconic uK clothing retailer drives up sales with passive rFID

Thanks to cutting-edge passive RFID reader technology from PervasID, this major UK clothing retailer has seen an increase in customer satisfaction and sales, while freeing up sales assistants to spend more time with customers.

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Key challenge this project addressed

A major UK clothing retailer needed to improve inventory accuracy to increase customer satisfaction and sales, while freeing up staff to spend more time with customers rather than manually checking stock.

The retailer was facing several challenges with their existing inventory management process:

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▪ Sales staff used handheld RFID readers to check stock only once every two weeks

▪ The manual system was prone to human error

▪ Inventory data could be up to two weeks out of date

▪ The centralized stock system and website would show items as available when they had already sold out in-store

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PervasID's solution was selected as the preferred option due to its ability to provide real-time inventory data with almost 100% read-rate, which is unrivalled for fixed passive RFID reader technology.

Client

Major UK Clothing Retailer

Date

January 3, 2023

Role

RFID Technology Solution Provider

How PervasID technology solved the challenge

PervasID implemented a groundbreaking inventory management system that automatically tracks up to 100,000 items across a 4,000 m² store with an unprecedented 99.9% read rate. Using ceiling-mounted readers and antennas, the system delivers accurate inventory data in real time and eliminates the need for staff to carry out manual stock checks with handheld devices.

The implementation process addressed several challenges:

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▪ Constantly-changing product displays according to season

▪ Varying product arrangements in back-end stockrooms

▪ Maintaining consistent detection performance throughout the year

▪ Eliminating the need for manual adjustments when planograms change

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How it works:

a. Each garment is fitted with a passive RFID Gen2 tag at source by the retailer's suppliers

b. PervasID installed its Space Ranger product, a wide-area fixed RFID reader system featuring unique distributed antenna system (DAS) technology

c. The readers and antennae are located discreetly throughout the store, predominantly mounted above ceiling tiles

d. Individual readers form zones of between 40 to 100 m², depending on the density of tagged items

e. The system automatically generates location details for tagged items in real time

f. Staff can quickly locate specific items using the system to identify the zone, then use handheld devices like a Geiger counter to pinpoint exact locations

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The solution covers stock intake, storage areas, sales floor and changing rooms over two levels, enabling hands-free stock location monitoring on an item-by-item basis.

Measurable results and business outcomes

The implementation of PervasID's RFID technology led to significant business improvements:

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Reduced stock-outs: Improved inventory accuracy ensures merchandise is always available on the sales floor and not sitting in the storeroom. All out-of-stocks or low stock levels are immediately flagged up, facilitating prompt replenishment. Real-time inventory data also updates online stock levels to ensure customers view correct information when placing orders for click and collect.

More time for customers: Items are automatically detected and added to the inventory system upon arrival, eliminating manual scanning by sales staff. This streamlined process enables staff to spend more time with customers, improving the overall retail experience.

Removed the need for buffer stock: Access to reliable data has enabled the retailer to reduce stock holding, removing the need for buffer stock and reducing the number of unsold items left at the end of each season.

Display compliance: The system flags the exact whereabouts of best-selling items in real time so they can be quickly found and placed in prominent positions to encourage spontaneous purchasing.