European fashion apparel retailer C&A in Germany recently expanded its RFID system for retail loss prevention and inventory tracking from five to 25 stores. As part of the C&A project, Checkpoint Systems is providing RF/RFID antennas, POS solution, inventory management software and consulting services. C&A already implemented source tagging with Checkpoint for RF electronic article surveillance several years ago, as a stepping stone for a potential RFID deployment.
The aim of the project is to ensure that the merchandise is available on C&A store shelves in the right color, size and fit. Implementing RFID in store means that retailers are able to manage inventory more efficiently and enhance loss prevention efforts. C&A selected Checkpoint for the project to analyze processes and procedures for store deliveries, replenishment and inventories.
“The objective is to improve the movement of merchandise from the supply chain to the store and from the back room to the sales floor inside the store,” said Joachim Wilkens, Supply Chain Development, C&A Group. “We have already noticed a clear reduction in out of stocks and increase in the availability of items on store shelves for purchase by our customers where the Checkpoint RFID solution has been installed.”
Checkpoint's AutoID software provides real-time accurate inventory visibility in the receiving area, in the back room and on the sales door. On a day-to-day basis, this means that C&A store employees are able to cycle count with a Motorola handheld RFID reader, equipped with inventory management software, allowing employees to maintain accurate inventory. The software's integrated reporting facility includes sales, stock and replenishment data for the apparel retailer to get real time and full visibility of its merchandise and sales.
Checkpoint's RF/RFID exit door solutions for C&A deliver loss prevention and inventory visibility, and have been designed with aesthetics that fit in the apparel retail environment. Either discreetly attached to the ceiling or installed on each side of shop doors, the solution enhances loss prevention integrity as the antennas will only alarm if an item that has not been paid for moves through the store's exit doors.
POS in stores were equipped with the RFID reader solution, employees can place several items onto the counter simultaneously, where they are automatically read and processed during the transaction. This reduces the risk of an employee forgetting to scan an item. The RF/RFID labels are then deactivated by Checkpoint's deactivation solution, enabling consumers to walk out of the store without setting off alarms.
“As apparel retailers and brand owners increasingly adopt RFID-based solutions, they are looking for scalable, deployable and operational solutions,” said Per Levin, President, Shrink Management and Merchandise Visibility Solutions, Checkpoint Systems.