Wal-Mart RFID Trial Shows 16% Reduction In Product Stock-Outs

"Wal-Mart Stores Inc. says its customers are finding the items they want in stock on shelves more often in stores that are using radio frequency identification technology with embedded electronic product codes, compared with those that are not, according to initial findings from a University of Arkansas study conducted during the last several months. Researchers found a 16% reduction in out-of-stock merchandise at Wal-Mart stores equipped with RFID labels using EPC codes. The study also shows that out-of-stock items with RFID were replenished three times faster than items using standard bar-code technology. Wal-Mart also experienced a "meaningful reduction" in manual orders resulting in a reduction of excess inventory, according to the university report. The study also showed that RFID-enabled stores were 63% more effective in replenishing out-of-stock products than control stores not equipped with the technology." Source: informationweek.com