Seven reasons why you should be using RFID clothing tags

By embedding RFID in clothing tags, you can gain complete visibility over your inventory, helping to enhance order management and customer experiences and improve overall productivity. As retailers roll this technology out, consumer demand for services like live in-store stock checks and more seamless checkout experiences is growing. RFID has become an essential tool if your business is looking to stay ahead of the competition.

In this post, we explore the role of RFID clothing tags and the value they can add to your business.

Ready to take your operations to the next level? Discover the comprehensive RFID retail solutions available at The Barcode Warehouse, and get in touch for bespoke recommendations from our tech experts.?

What are RFID clothing tags?

An RFID clothing tag is a small piece of technology that is attached to a garment which stores and transmits information about that particular item. While you might picture bulky plastic security tags that set off alarms at store exits, RFID tags today are much more discreet.

Today, RFID technology can be embedded into swing tags, making them look like regular product or price tags. But unlike traditional labels, RFID clothing tags contain a tiny microchip that can store and transmit detailed information about the product, such as the item’s serial number, price and even inventory levels.?

With RFID in operation throughout the supply chain and in stores, retailers can track the transportation of products, improve inventory management and enhance the shopping experience.

How do RFID clothing tags work?

?RFID clothing tags work by using tiny microchips embedded in labels to store and transmit information about a product. When an RFID reader sends out radio waves, the chip in the tag picks up the signal and sends back the stored data.

If the tag is being used as a security measure, the detection system at the exits will emit a radio frequency that activates the chip in the tag. If the tag hasn’t been deactivated at the checkout, the alarm will go off when someone tries to leave the store with the item.

Benefits of using RFID tags on clothes

Here’s how RFID clothing tags are changing the shopping experience your business can offer:

1.?Security beyond hard tags

While traditional security tags are designed to deter theft, they offer limited functionality. In contrast, RFID tags provide a more modern security solution. These embedded tags can be integrated with a store’s security system, ensuring that if an item hasn’t been deactivated at checkout, an alarm will trigger when it passes through the store’s security gates. This system enhances security and helps streamline store operations without relying on bulky, noticeable tags.

2. Faster stock finding and shelf replenishment

RFID technology makes it easier for staff to find items and restock shelves efficiently. Fixed RFID readers placed around the store continuously scan product tags, providing real-time inventory data. This constant stream of information allows staff to quickly identify which items are running low and where they are located, reducing the need for time-consuming manual checks.

Handheld RFID readers enhance this efficiency even further. Employees can use these portable devices to search for specific items anywhere in the store, maintaining constant visibility over inventory. This is especially useful for restocking, as staff can quickly locate products in the stockroom and replenish shelves before items run out.

Some RFID sleds also come with a built-in Geiger counter feature that speeds up searches. As staff get closer to the item, the device beeps more frequently, guiding them directly to its location. This makes it easier to find products quickly, ensuring shelves are always stocked and customers can find what they’re looking for.

3.?Reduce manual errors

Aside from the benefits they bring for items already in-store, the use of RFID tags on clothes adds value as soon as the goods enter a warehouse. By placing or embedding ultra-high frequency (UFH) RFID readers by stockroom doors, incoming goods can be automatically scanned on entry.?

Not only does this reduce the need for someone to manually scan goods as they enter a stockroom or warehouse — minimising personnel costs — but it also saves time and reduces human error in inventory intake. This reliability makes RFID clothing tags invaluable for busy warehouses or stockrooms that need to maximise efficiency without compromising on quality.

4. Real-time stock visibility

Real-time inventory tracking helps retailers avoid understocking and overstocking, while also helping to prevent order errors and decreasing shipping costs. With RFID clothing tags, retailers can access accurate, real-time data on stock levels, ensuring they always know exactly what’s available. This visibility allows retailers to confidently sell items they actually have in stock, reducing the risk of overselling or creating backorders.

Having this up-to-date information also helps prevent unnecessary returns, as customers aren’t left waiting for out-of-stock items. It eliminates the need for costly reshipping or restocking, keeping operations smooth and efficient.

5. Enhance in-store customer service

Attaching RFID tags to clothing also helps your business to deliver better customer experiences. By integrating RFID tags into swing tickets, staff can locate items quickly and accurately. When a customer asks if different sizes are available or if an item is in stock, employees can use RFID readers to check inventory instantly. This provides a faster and more accurate alternative to manual searches, allowing staff to respond to customer queries with confidence.

RFID technology is particularly useful for click-and-collect services, where customers expect quick and accurate pickups. By quickly locating reserved items, staff can reduce waiting times and improve overall customer satisfaction.

6. Seamless checkout experience

Increasingly, RFID is being used in retail to provide a seamless checkout experience that reduces the need for manual intervention. By using RFID clothing tags and embedding an RFID reader at the checkout, Uniqlo’s self-checkout uses technology to create an effortless experience. In the case of Uniqlo, customers simply have to place their items in a container at self-checkout and the system automatically adds up the totals. Not only has this revolutionised the checkout process, but the lack of manual intervention can reduce queue times and enhance efficiency.

7. Manage prices and promotions

If RFID clothing tags have been integrated with a retailer’s pricing system, it means that when prices are updated in the central system, products across the store are automatically updated. By embedding RFID tags on clothes, retailers can ensure that any price changes made in the system are instantly reflected on the products, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and minimising pricing errors. This helps maintain consistency across the store, so customers always see the correct price.

In the same way, if there is a sale, using RFID tags means that the price of eligible items is automatically updated as soon as a promotion is live. Whether it’s a limited-time sale or a special discount, the system ensures that the correct price is applied to the product immediately, streamlining the process and giving customers accurate, up-to-date pricing.

How Decathlon maximised shelf availability and inventory tracking with RFID clothing tags

Decathlon has successfully implemented RFID clothing tags across its supply chain to enhance inventory management and streamline the customer experience.?

At the point of manufacture, RFID tags that contain key product information are embedded into items. As products move through the supply chain, employees use handheld readers to track shipments and fixed RFID readers in distribution centres log product details automatically.?

Thanks to these embedded RFID tags, Decathlon’s in-store staff can perform inventory checks up to five times faster than before, allowing full inventory checks to be completed every 1 to 4 weeks, significantly improving stock visibility. At checkout, RFID readers instantly scan and price items, speeding up transactions and reducing errors. If an RFID tag hasn’t been deactivated during checkout, an alarm sounds at the store exit, alerting security staff to a potential theft.

The implementation of cutting-edge RFID clothing tag technology has allowed Decathlon to improve operational efficiency, reduce lost sales and enhance the overall customer shopping experience.

Get started with RFID clothing tags in your organisation with The Barcode Warehouse

If you're a retailer looking to incorporate RFID clothing tags into your operations, understanding how they work and can benefit you is key. As your store grows, RFID clothing tags can become an integral part of your business, enabling you to gain complete visibility over your inventory.

At The Barcode Warehouse, we are the UK's leading experts in RFID retail solutions. We partner with top brands to offer a wide range of RFID readers, tags, printers, wristbands and labels. Our solutions help enhance visibility, accuracy, and efficiency across the entire supply chain.

Explore our RFID solutions, and get in touch with our expert team to discuss your specific RFID needs today.