Allbirds successfully deploys RFID technology in UK stores

Global footwear brand Allbirds has taken a major step in the retail technology space by successfully expanding its RFID (radio frequency identification) technology deployment to all Stores in the UK. This move not only significantly improved the accuracy of inventory management, but also promoted the development of an omni-channel sales model, bringing revolutionary changes to the shopping experience and employee efficiency.

Background and results of RFID technology deployment

In the past few years, Allbirds has been committed to optimizing inventory management and improving customer experience through technological innovation. When Micah Nelson, the company's director of product management, joined the company four years ago, he started researching and planning RFID technology. Traditional physical auditing methods resulted in inventory accuracy rates of only around 60%, which not only affected sales performance, but also caused unnecessary inventory backlogs and waste.

Through cooperation with Sensormatic Solutions, Allbirds successfully achieved rapid deployment of RFID technology. Today, the company's inventory accuracy rate has climbed to 98%, behind this number is the precise inventory tracking and management capabilities brought by RFID technology. The introduction of this technology not only greatly improved the accuracy of inventory data, but also reduced human errors, laying a solid foundation for an omni-channel sales model.

Specific applications and advantages of RFID technology

In Allbirds stores, each pair of shoes is affixed with a unique RFID tag, which is located under the removable insole. This design not only ensures the stability of the tag, but also allows the shoe box to remain recyclable, further reducing the environmental burden. In the store, sales staff can quickly complete inventory counting by simply waving the RFID barcode reader across the stacked boxes, greatly improving work efficiency.

In addition, RFID technology also makes it easy for stores to conduct regular inventory counts. Once a discrepancy between inventory and sales data is found, the store can conduct a full inventory cycle inventory in a short period of time and quickly find out the problem. This efficient inventory management capability enables Allbirds to respond more flexibly to changes in market demand and improve customer satisfaction.

With the successful deployment of RFID technology, Allbirds officially launched an omni-channel sales model this spring. In the past, due to the inaccuracy of inventory data, the company did not dare to ship from stores easily. Now, with a 98% inventory accuracy rate, Allbirds not only dares to ship from stores, but also provides a more convenient shopping experience nationwide. This move not only enhances customers' shopping confidence, but also brings more sales opportunities to the company.

More possibilities of RFID technology

Looking to the future, Allbirds plans to apply RFID technology to more areas. Micah Nelson said that they are considering installing RFID Readers at the point of sale or exit to prevent the loss of goods. At the same time, the company also plans to use RFID technology to track the materials used in the products and establish a complete history for each pair of shoes or each piece of clothing. This move will help improve the traceability and transparency of products and further meet consumers' concerns about sustainability and environmental protection.

Jamie Kress, North American RFID sales director of Sensormatic Solutions, also said that RFID technology has broad application prospects and huge growth space in the retail field. With the continuous advancement of technology and the continuous expansion of application scenarios, RFID will bring more innovation and development opportunities to the Retail Industry.