Papers

Reference #: ITRI-WP151-0410 Date: April 1, 2010

Item-Level RFID for Apparel/Footwear: The JC Penney RFID Initiative

Abstract:

It has been proven that item-level RFID can improve many in-store processes for retailers. In particular, the business case for RFID for retailers looks promising. Previous studies have shown the benefits of RFID at the pallet and case level, such as reducing out of stocks and improving inventory count accuracy. Therefore, it seems logical that item-level RFID would provide even more benefits. In this study, we examine the use of item-level RFID at a major apparel and home retailer, JCPenney. Specifically, the use cases of inventory accuracy and inventory management using RFID replenishment reports are investigated, with incidental attention to cycle counting. This pilot’s results support previous research, demonstrating the tendency for inventory accuracy to diminish over time, as well as the potential for improvement in inventory accuracy due to RFID. Improved inventory accuracy leads to fewer out of stocks, less safety stock, and better ordering and forecasting, among others.