Apparel Tagging Isn't All About Wal-Mart
By Mark Roberti
Oct. 1, 2010—The news that Wal-Mart Stores plans to track most of its apparel with radio frequency identification technology based on the Electronic Product Code (EPC) standard stirred two very different reactions among RFID technology providers. Some don't believe the retailer will follow through, based on its previous false starts. Others are sure Walmart has the strategy right this time, and that its decision to use RFID will spur most other apparel retailers to adopt the technology within the next couple of years. They're all probably wrong.
First, let's consider why this is probably not just another false promise from Walmart. We detailed five reasons on our Web site (see Walmart Takes a New Approach to RFID), which we'll summarize here:
1) Walmart is now focused on where EPC RFID can deliver the most value. The retailer understands that the greatest benefits come from tracking products with a wide variety of options, to better manage inventory so the items are always in stock.
Oct. 1, 2010—The news that Wal-Mart Stores plans to track most of its apparel with radio frequency identification technology based on the Electronic Product Code (EPC) standard stirred two very different reactions among RFID technology providers. Some don't believe the retailer will follow through, based on its previous false starts. Others are sure Walmart has the strategy right this time, and that its decision to use RFID will spur most other apparel retailers to adopt the technology within the next couple of years. They're all probably wrong.
First, let's consider why this is probably not just another false promise from Walmart. We detailed five reasons on our Web site (see Walmart Takes a New Approach to RFID), which we'll summarize here:
1) Walmart is now focused on where EPC RFID can deliver the most value. The retailer understands that the greatest benefits come from tracking products with a wide variety of options, to better manage inventory so the items are always in stock.
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