Galeria Kaufhof started using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) at its Essen outlet on 20 September 2007. In the menswear department the METRO Group sales brand is testing in a pilot project how this technology of the future can be used to enhance customer satisfaction.
Around 30,000 items in the menswear department of the Galeria Kaufhof store in Essen have been tagged with RFID transponders. The central element of the RFID transponders is the Smart Chip, a minute computer chip with an antenna that is in most cases integrated into an adhesive label. On this chip, the electronic product code (EPC) has been saved. The code references to information stored in a database, such as details on the manufacturer, size or price of each individual item. |
Mobile assistants
At the Kaufhof department store in Essen, RFID readers installed in the goods receipt area, at all transition points from the warehouse to the front store as well as inside the dressing rooms and at the checkout desk read the EPC without requiring physical or visual contact. Via mobile RFID readers the staff can check which articles are available in the front store and where they are located. This technology also helps to optimize the availability of goods: by the push of a button the employees can check how many items are on stock and order new merchandize on time.
Better service for more customer satisfaction
The Smart Dressing Rooms and Smart Shelves in the Gardeur shop have been installed as a special service for the customers. They identify clothes via RFID and supply useful information such as the price, size and material of the article via an integrated display. Detailed information on the respective garments can also be displayed on the Smart Mirror. In the next project phase the customers will also be informed about the additional sizes and colors available together with suggestions about complementary products and combinations.
Efficient business processes
RFID helps enhance the efficiency of business processes, reduce costs and offer the consumer individualized services. Already since November 2004 the METRO Group has been successively rolling out this technology to selected warehouses, stores and outlets of its sales brands. "With the deployment of innovative technologies we are actively advancing the modernization process in the retail sector", said Zygmunt Mierdorf, Member of the Board of Management of the METRO Group.
