Matalan has deployed SML’s radio frequency identification (RFID) tags across all 220 stores in the UK to improve inventory accuracy.

SML has been working with Matalan for the past two years, initially deploying RFID into two pilot stores using the Clarity software suite.

Within each of the two store pilots Matalan staff were able to count in excess of 100 thousand items of merchandise over a three-hour window. The counts were done on a weekly basis, achieving inventory accuracy of over 95 per cent.

Following the six-month pilot, Matalan rolled the technology out across all its stores over a four-month period. Staff will be able to provide a better customer experience by using the real-time stock enquiry and search functionality. The solution utilises over 900 hand-held terminals from Zebra Technologies, with data stored in Microsoft’s Azure Cloud platform.

Howard Reed, chief technology officer at Matalan, commented: “Our initial pilots using SML’s Clarity RFID solution allowed us to gain a significantly improved view of our inventory and the return on investment across the business was apparent.”

Dean Frew, SML’s senior vice president of RFID Solutions, added: “Matalan is a prime example of how a retailer can utilise the technology to improve its daily operations, deliver on an enhanced customer experience and provide multi-channel shopping opportunities.”

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