University researches RFID

The University of Arkansas' RFID Research Centre is teaming up with an apparel retailer and two consumer goods associations on an RFID study. The research will enable better understanding of the benefits of tagging and how it might solve problems retailers struggle with, such as inventory management, reports the RFID Journal.

The study will incorporate research, lab testing and an RFID pilot. "We have had conversations with several retailers and industry groups over the past year or so. I think the technology has advanced to the point where it is ready to be examined in depth," says Bill Hardgrave, director of the RFID Research Centre.

Initially, researchers will examine how retailers might utilise item-level RFID tags, and in which processes RFID might have the greatest impact. The researchers also intend to study the technology in a University of Arkansas lab that re-creates a retail store setting.

The UK-based department store increased spending on supply chain technology by about 290% in the past year, reports the Supply Chain Digest.

The company says the increase is led by continued investment in RFID as well as in its distribution centres and point of sale systems. In the last fiscal year, Marks and Spencer spent 114 million euro on supply chain technology, a substantial increase over the 39 million euro the previous year.

Marks and Spencer has been one of the most aggressive testers and adopters of RFID in the retail supply chain. It said it is making these investments "to support the future growth of the business and improve the customer experience in-store".

The shortlist for the European Retail Solutions Awards 2007 highlights the outstanding contribution technology has made at top retailers such as Mothercare, Costa Coffee, Tesco, Vodaphone, Harvey Nichols, Lakeland and Woolworths, reports Manufacturing Talk.

The awards, now in their seventh year, are held on the second night of the Retail Solutions exhibition at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. The awards will recognise European retail technology applications and solutions in 13 award categories.

This year, competition has been tougher than ever, with a huge increase in the number of entrants as both vendors and retailers look to broadcast their technology successes.