Smart hangers help consumers mix and match

Teamlab has developed smart radio frequency identification (RFID) clothing hangers in Japan, and provides shopping suggestions via LCD screens on the hangers, Ubergizmo reports.

Technabob says these smart hangers help shoppers find products and accessories that will match the garment or product.

This system is currently being used in one of Vanquish's men's stores, in Shibuya, Tokyo. There are LCD displays located at the top of the clothing rack. Whenever a shopper removes an item, the displays burst to life and provide information, while at the same time, suggest other matching accessories.

This RFID interactive visual merchandising not only catches the eye of the consumer and drives further purchasing through recommendations, but also logs details and aggregates data as to how popular an item is, or how effective its positioning is in-store, Japan Trends explains.

It is also said to be an unobtrusive form of marketing that blends in with the shop itself, adding to the shoppers experience in a far more natural way.