RFID technology has several applications to optimize processes and improve the supply chain of all kind of sectors and industries. The retail sector was one of the first sectors to see the potential of a technology that is especially effective in activities that move a large amount of goods every little time, such as mass consumption.
Identify and locate every product movement in a matter of seconds facilitates and accelerates stock management in stores, the entry and exit of goods in the factories and the supply in distribution centers. But nowadays RFID technology is increasing its relevance in the circular economy. It is an extremely useful technology for brands that develop sustainability plans and want to be transparent with their customers.
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More Conscious and Concerned Consumers
As consumers we are increasingly interested in buying all kinds of environmentally friendly products. And we don’t say it, the data shows it. In the fashion retail sector, according to a study carried out by Fashion Revolution, for 90% of Spaniards environmental and social factors are important when making a purchase, above the European average, which is 85%.
If we analyze the importance of sustainability when purchasing garments, 15% of consumers already make purchasing decisions in accordance with sustainable principles: materials, business models, etc.
And the industries of the retail sector, where fast fashion consumption or buying many and very cheap clothes reigned for a long time, have understood that reducing the waste generated by disused clothing is a challenge and a commitment valued by customers. That is why brands such as C&A, Adidas, H&M, Mango or the Inditex group, championing this form of consumption, have begun to expand the offer of sustainable collections and the use of circular materials.
All in all, this accelerated consumption has reverted to a greater concern in buying garments made with sustainable and ecological raw materials, as well as giving a second life to used clothing, recycling their materials. Do you want to know how RFID helps the retail sector to be more sustainable and transparent?
How does RFID work in the fashion retail sector?
In one of our post we explained how RFID technology has contributed to the management of companies in the last sixty years. Among its many applications, it has had a significant importance in the development and expansion of the fashion retail sector, especially during the last decade, given the importance of logistics in the business model. And how can this technology helps companies to make this a more sustainable industry?
RFID technology appears again as a solution to face new challenges, in this case that of sustainability and transparency, since it allows total traceability in the supply chain, providing all the information in real time. From e-commerce to physical stores, they have implemented this technology in collaboration with textile manufacturers and companies.
How does RFID technology work to ensure traceability in the textile sector? Many of the companies already implement this technology from the origin of the products.
Raw material supplier
The raw material supplier, such as the cotton supplier, sends the materials to the manufacturer with an RFID tag that contains all the information about the product. There it is collected how the process of obtaining this raw material has been, if it comes from a crop, for example, or if it has been made with recycled materials. Also, where has it been produced and what measures have been adopted in its production in relation to the environment.
Manufacturer
Once the raw materials arrives to the factory, the manufacturer processes them and incorporates them into their manufacturing process. Once the garments are finished, a RFID tag is placed on each garment or accessory. This tagbears a QR code that gives access to a website with all the information about the raw material and the information that the manufacturer incorporates into the product, such as the brand, the composition, the washing and care instructions or origin. But also they provide information of how to promote the circularity of the item, such as selling the product in second-hand markets, donating it or recycling it.
Distribution center
Logistics centers with RFID readers, such as RFID tunnels, record the entry of all merchandise from different manufacturers and in a few minutes they check each garment or accessory. The RFID platform collects all the information about the points through which the garment has passed in the logistics center before being sent to the store. In this process, it is verified that all orders are correct, a highly automated method that saves time when sending garments to the points of sale.
Store
Once the employees receive the products, they register their entry with the RFID devices. Quickly, without having to open the boxes, the items contained in the shipments are checked, saving a lot of inventory management and reception time. Through the QR code on the tag, the customer can access a website where they can consult all the information regarding each specific item.
This process can be carried out thanks to all the RFID devices that we have talked about and data storage systems or RFID Middleware such as Cixxonia from Bionix Technologies, which receives, collects and stores all the information during the process, from the beginning of the chain (raw materials) until they arrive at the store.
In this way, brands offer their customers the added value of being able to consult all the information collected on the origin and manufacture of each garment they buy from their mobile, giving total transparency to the consumer and promoting the sustainability of their products.
RFID adapts to the needs of each retail company, allowing them to add as many control points as they require, reducing operating costs and giving them the data needed to optimize their process in real time. With RFID technology they gain visibility and reliability of the stock, which will produce an increase in sales, both online and in physical store.
RFID technology and sustainability in fashion retail
Companies that implement RFID technology and smart solutions provide an added benefit to the customer, currently highly valued: Traceability. Customers want to know the materials with which the products they acquire are made, where the factory is located, if the production is sustainable and if they acquire products that they can give a second life to.
In addition, stores with RFID technology and customer cards can cross-check customer data with their shopping habits to suit their tastes and needs and, thus, send them personalized offers more suited to people’s preferences.
Cixxonia, the technological solution to sustainable awareness
Cixxonia offers a solution to companies to be more efficient, but also more transparent, sustainable and circular. It automatically collects all the information on your products, from the raw material until the store, so that the customer has access to this information quickly through the QR code.
At Bionix Technologies we have RFID devices and solutions adapted to each business. We are experts in four main sectors: Retail, Health, Industry and Automotive. Do you want to know more about the solutions we have for the retail sector? You can check all the information on our website.
Do not hesitate to contact us and request any information you need to start revolutionizing your supply chain. We will help you identify the solution that best suits your company and we will advise you to develop your action plan successfully.
What are you waiting for? Contact us now!
