Footwear brand Allbirds starts using RFID

Global footwear brand Allbirds has taken a major step forward in retail technology by successfully extending its RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology deployment to all its shops in the UK. This initiative not only significantly improves the accuracy of stock management, but also drives the development of an omni-channel sales model, revolutionising the shopping experience and staff efficiency.

Allbirds has always been committed to optimising stock management and enhancing the customer experience through technological innovation. Traditional physical auditing methods resulted in an inventory accuracy rate of only about 60 per cent, which not only affected sales performance, but also created unnecessary inventory backlogs and waste.

By partnering with Sensormatic Solutions, Allbirds successfully achieved a rapid deployment of RFID technology. Today, the company's inventory accuracy has climbed to 98%, a figure that is attributed to the precise inventory tracking and management capabilities that RFID technology provides. The introduction of this technology not only dramatically improves the accuracy of inventory data, but also reduces human error, laying a solid foundation for an omni-channel sales model.

In Allbirds shops, each pair of shoes is labelled with a unique RFID tag that sits underneath the removable insole. This design not only ensures that the tags are secure, but also allows the shoe boxes to remain recyclable, further reducing the burden on the environment. In shops, sales staff can quickly complete inventory counts using only RFID barcode readers, which greatly improves work efficiency.

In addition, RFID technology makes it easy for shops to conduct regular inventory counts. Once discrepancies between inventory and sales figures are detected, shops can conduct a complete inventory cycle in a short period of time and quickly identify the problem. This efficient inventory management capability allows Allbirds to respond more flexibly to changes in market demand and improve customer satisfaction.