Making the world a little better with RFID: Clothing and shoe stores

RFID is being used more and more frequently in shoe and clothing stores around the world. In fact, RFID tagging of apparel is one of the largest and fastest growing applications of RFID in the business world.

Industry experts predict that more than 1 billion RFID tags will be used in apparel stores in 2011, up from approximately 70 million tags in 2009 — a phenomenally explosive growth rate.

Why is this sector booming? In January 2011, a study published by the University of Arkansas' Information Technology Research Institute (ITRI) found 60 different business reasons for the use of RFID in the apparel supply chain. RFID makes it faster, easier and more accurate to buy, ship, stock and sell clothes and shoes. It makes it simpler and quicker for stores to keep their inventory up to date. It helps shoppers be sure they’ll find the sizes and styles they want. And RFID tags can even be part of an anti-shoplifting solution.