NXP's Smart Market Demonstrates RFID for Shopping Experience

Several brands and retailers, as well as technology solution providers, joined forces with NXP Semiconductors in demonstrating what the technology company calls a "smart market," at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held this month in Las Vegas. The simulated market leveraged NXP's Near Field Communication (NFC)- and RFID-based products to demonstrate how technology can make product inventory more accurate, and shopping more interesting and efficient for consumers. The smart market showed how store access and payments can be accomplished via wearables or smartphones, and also demonstrated electronic shelf labels and intelligent refrigerators that can serve as vending machines.

The smart market featured NFC-enabled coffee makers from Kraft Heinz's Gevalia Coffee, as well as Coca-Cola Co.'s smart vending machines and Mammut's RFID-enabled clothing and gear. Retailers Stora Enso and Decathlon also participated, along with technology companies Kathrein Solutions, Ingenico, Opticon and TPG Rewards.

Mammut, a Swiss outdoor adventure company, is incorporating NFC directly into its clothing and gear products. Consumers can read tags via a mobile phone in order to access an app. They can then begin planning their adventure based on tag reads.

Coca-Cola demonstrated its RFID-enabled refrigerator that is being used at some gas stations. When drivers pay for gasoline at the pump, the payment terminal built into the pump displays an invitation to "refresh and refuel," which they can do by purchasing a container of Coke at an adjacent refrigerator. The system then charges the driver as he or she removes the beverage from the vending machine; as the tagged product is removed from the cooler, its tag is no longer read and software identifies its removal.