Belgian fast fashion apparel retailer JBC has rolled out RFID technology chainwide, encompassing 17 million items across 144 stores in Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. The technology from Checkpoint Systems allows JBC to optimize its stock of 1.5 million hanging garments and 15.5 million flat-packed garments, to minimize out-of-stocks and enhance the shopper experience online and in stores.
The RFID technology enables JBC’s sales staff and logistics service providers to track stock movements, optimize store inventory, and identify merchandise that is being returned or recalled to the distribution center (DC). Improved inventory visibility allows online shoppers to see accurate merchandise quantities, a particularly important feature for a fast fashion retailer.
Each JBC store can now operate as a “mini DC,” with the ability to process online purchases alongside traditional brick-and-mortar operations. Six Checkpoint RFID Tunnels at JBC’s DC in Houthalen-Helchteren automatically verify the physical contents of inbound shipments from suppliers and outbound shipments to JBC stores. The tunnels work with Checkpoint’s OAT Enterprise software to automatically match the exact contents of the shipping manifests as they enter and leave the DC for the stores.
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“In addition to the inventory visibility benefits, RFID might allow us in the future to measure the impact of promotions and make customized suggestions to our shoppers,” said JBC Logistics Manager Fred Tielens in a statement. “We will be able to guide our shoppers through the purchase process from start to finish, whether they are shopping online or in one of our stores.”
