Jan 10, 2023Svensk Handel, the Swedish Trade Federation, is an association that serves the trade and commerce sector in Sweden, representing commercial enterprises on issues concerning employment and economic policy. The organization focuses on creating optimal trading conditions for commercial enterprises large and small. It acts to improve conditions by maintaining industrial peace, lobbying decision makers and opinion formers, contributing toward cost reductions for member companies, and providing advice and services.
One way in which Svensk Handel does this is by hosting its prestigious Retail Awards, analogous to the annual National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show event. This year, Stadium won such an award in the category of Logistics Solution of the Year. As explained in an article posted at Svensk Handel's website, the association visited one of Stadium's warehouses in Norrköping and met with Johan Stenström, the company's supply chain developer, and Peter Carlson, its supply chain development manager. What it saw there greatly impressed the organization.
Founded by Ulf and Bo Eklöf in the 1970s, Stadium is the Nordic region's largest sports chain, with 180 stores in operation. It specializes in the retail sale of sports clothing and equipment for men and women, including athletic shoes, shorts, jackets, hats, vests, ski boots and more. The company had invested a great deal in inventory management, achieving what it thought was near-100 percent accuracy, but deficiencies still occurred in its stock balances, and a closer look revealed the actual number to be only around 70 percent. Therefore, the company incorporated radio frequency identification technology into its processes, coming much closer to its 100 percent goal as a result.
Stenström led Stadium's RFID efforts, which have culminated in all products at the retailer's stores now being inventoried via handheld readers—a process that can be completed by only a few employees within only two to three hours, depending on store size. Buyers now have continuous access to data and can thus respond to supply and demand more precisely. What's more, employees now have full control of inventory counts, allowing them to provide customers with faster, more satisfying service. This, all combined, increased Stadium's sales, earning the award from Svensk Handel.
While presenting the award, a representative of the trade association told attendees, "In recent years, Stadium has carried out a largescale investment in the use of RFID technology in stores, as well as in back stock areas. A more accurate stock balance has resulted in increased customer satisfaction, as well as increased sales and increased margins. Stadium's introduction of RFID technology is a good example that shows the positive effects digitization can have for a company's logistics operations."
We at RFID Journal congratulate Stenström, Carlson, and Stadium—a 2020 RFID Journal Award finalist (see Stadium AB Improves Inventory Accuracy With RFID)—for this significant honor. The retailer will be presenting at this year's RFID Journal LIVE! event, being held on May 9–11 in Orlando, Fla., so be sure to register and attend. Find out how your company can benefit from what Stadium learned during its highly successful deployment.
Rich Handley has been the managing editor of RFID Journal since 2005. Outside the RFID world, Rich has authored, edited or contributed to numerous books about pop culture. You can contact Rich via email.
