David Savastano, Editor01.15.20
The world of retail is changing. Customers are more knowledgeable about the products they want, what they cost, and how they can best purchase the goods and services they are looking for. Retailers have to be prepared to meet the needs and expectations of their customers. If the product isn’t at the store when the customers want it, they will go somewhere else.
NRF 2020: Retail’s Big Show, which was held at the Javits Center in New York City from Jan. 12-14, was the setting for the technologies of today and tomorrow for the world of retail. More than 37,000 attendees, including major international brand owners and retailers, were expected to attend.
RFID and NFC specialists showcased how they can help retailers and brand owners connect with their customers, whether it is through omnichannel sales strategies, frictionless shopping, communicating directly to the brand owner, or by other means.
For example, Michelle Le, strategic alliance manager, specialty printing systems, HP Inc., said that she saw many retailers at the Big Show.
“We saw a lot of cosmetics customers who are interested in personalization, Le said, noting the company’s Afinia Label printing line. “Retailers are able to produce personalized products quickly themselves, as in-store personnel can use these printers to create customized labels for their products.”
Many leading and RFID specialists were on hand at NRF 2020, highlighting their latest technologies and services, including:
• Avery Dennison: Avery Dennison highlighted its digital labeling technologies at NRF 2020. Alongside its Janela intelligent labeling solutions for the apparel, food and beauty segments, the company also showcased its partnerships with Wiliot, a Bluetooth technology specialist, and PragmatIC’s lower cost, flexible NFC products, which combined cover the spectrum of the retail world’s tagging needs.
“We are looking to a future where we believe it’s possible to create certainty and trust in a world of mass data by pairing every product with a digital twin,” said Francisco Melo, Avery Dennison’s VP and GM, Intelligent Labels. “By giving every physical item a unique digital identity and digital life, it enables a truly connected supply chain from source to the shoppers home.”
Melo said that NRF’s Big Show is always a highlight for Avery Dennison.
“NRF 2020 is a unique opportunity to connect with the entire ecosystem, including new and existing customers,” Melo added.
• Checkpoint Systems: Checkpoint Systems highlighted its HALO mobile app, which provides store staff with information on orders, product location and fulfillment through the use of near-real-time inventory data.
Erik Cardinaal, Checkpoint Systems’ VP and GM, apparel labeling solutions EMEA & Americas, noted that NRF 2020 is an excellent international forum.
“NRF 2920 is a very good show,” Cardinaal said. “We have seen lots of retailers form Europe and Brazil here this year.”
• Impinj: Impinj highlighted its two new RAIN RFID tag chips, the M730 and M750, which have nearly universal applications. These integrated circuits are produced in an
advanced semiconductor process node, and provide solutions for loss prevention with frictionless self-checkout.
“The Impinj M730 and M750 are really groundbreaking and a major step for RAIN RFID,” said Jeff Dossett, EVP, sales & marketing for Impinj. “These can be attached to or embedded into practically everything worldwide. We have improved performance and developed advanced features that enable use cases that have not been possible or have not delivered maximum customer value.”
• Smartrac Group: Smartrac Group showed a host of new products, from its MINIWEB inlays and tags designed for retail and supply-chain applications. MINIWEB is based on Impinj M730 and M750 integrated circuits. WEB DF is a new dual-frequency chip that enables brands and retailers to offer their customers an omnichannel experience without compromising consumer privacy.
Another new product, the new WEB DF tags, are designed for product inventory management, product authentication, and consumer engagement and loyalty programs. Smartrac’s new CIRCUS PRO NFC allows product manufacturers to turn their products into secure digital platforms.
Smartrac also highlighted Smart Cosmos, its IoT solution, and the McKinsey “Modern Retail Collective” store in the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN, which the company is participating in.
“It has been very busy,” said Karin Fabri, SVP, head of corporate marketing and communications for Smartrac Group. “We see a lot of interest in our products. Sustainability, utilizing data and secure product authentication are huge topics here.”
• Zebra Technologies: Zebra Technologies highlighted a range of solutions, from RFID to its new SmartSight intelligent automation solution, during NRF 2020. SmartSight increases store inventory availability above 95% by autonomously scanning shelves and generating tasks for store associates to restock or update in a timely manner.
Anees Haidri, strategic marketing/retail practice lead for Zebra Technologies, was pleased with the show.
“The show’s been fantastic,” Haidri said. “Technology continues to be an enabler. This is a tribute to how retailers are adopting technology as they see how it can improve their business. Solutions are the name of the game, and RFID technology has shown its provenance through the supply chain.”
NRF 2020: Retail’s Big Show, which was held at the Javits Center in New York City from Jan. 12-14, was the setting for the technologies of today and tomorrow for the world of retail. More than 37,000 attendees, including major international brand owners and retailers, were expected to attend.
RFID and NFC specialists showcased how they can help retailers and brand owners connect with their customers, whether it is through omnichannel sales strategies, frictionless shopping, communicating directly to the brand owner, or by other means.
For example, Michelle Le, strategic alliance manager, specialty printing systems, HP Inc., said that she saw many retailers at the Big Show.
“We saw a lot of cosmetics customers who are interested in personalization, Le said, noting the company’s Afinia Label printing line. “Retailers are able to produce personalized products quickly themselves, as in-store personnel can use these printers to create customized labels for their products.”
Many leading and RFID specialists were on hand at NRF 2020, highlighting their latest technologies and services, including:
• Avery Dennison: Avery Dennison highlighted its digital labeling technologies at NRF 2020. Alongside its Janela intelligent labeling solutions for the apparel, food and beauty segments, the company also showcased its partnerships with Wiliot, a Bluetooth technology specialist, and PragmatIC’s lower cost, flexible NFC products, which combined cover the spectrum of the retail world’s tagging needs.
“We are looking to a future where we believe it’s possible to create certainty and trust in a world of mass data by pairing every product with a digital twin,” said Francisco Melo, Avery Dennison’s VP and GM, Intelligent Labels. “By giving every physical item a unique digital identity and digital life, it enables a truly connected supply chain from source to the shoppers home.”
Melo said that NRF’s Big Show is always a highlight for Avery Dennison.
“NRF 2020 is a unique opportunity to connect with the entire ecosystem, including new and existing customers,” Melo added.
• Checkpoint Systems: Checkpoint Systems highlighted its HALO mobile app, which provides store staff with information on orders, product location and fulfillment through the use of near-real-time inventory data.
Erik Cardinaal, Checkpoint Systems’ VP and GM, apparel labeling solutions EMEA & Americas, noted that NRF 2020 is an excellent international forum.
“NRF 2920 is a very good show,” Cardinaal said. “We have seen lots of retailers form Europe and Brazil here this year.”
• Impinj: Impinj highlighted its two new RAIN RFID tag chips, the M730 and M750, which have nearly universal applications. These integrated circuits are produced in an
advanced semiconductor process node, and provide solutions for loss prevention with frictionless self-checkout.
“The Impinj M730 and M750 are really groundbreaking and a major step for RAIN RFID,” said Jeff Dossett, EVP, sales & marketing for Impinj. “These can be attached to or embedded into practically everything worldwide. We have improved performance and developed advanced features that enable use cases that have not been possible or have not delivered maximum customer value.”
• Smartrac Group: Smartrac Group showed a host of new products, from its MINIWEB inlays and tags designed for retail and supply-chain applications. MINIWEB is based on Impinj M730 and M750 integrated circuits. WEB DF is a new dual-frequency chip that enables brands and retailers to offer their customers an omnichannel experience without compromising consumer privacy.
Another new product, the new WEB DF tags, are designed for product inventory management, product authentication, and consumer engagement and loyalty programs. Smartrac’s new CIRCUS PRO NFC allows product manufacturers to turn their products into secure digital platforms.
Smartrac also highlighted Smart Cosmos, its IoT solution, and the McKinsey “Modern Retail Collective” store in the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN, which the company is participating in.
“It has been very busy,” said Karin Fabri, SVP, head of corporate marketing and communications for Smartrac Group. “We see a lot of interest in our products. Sustainability, utilizing data and secure product authentication are huge topics here.”
• Zebra Technologies: Zebra Technologies highlighted a range of solutions, from RFID to its new SmartSight intelligent automation solution, during NRF 2020. SmartSight increases store inventory availability above 95% by autonomously scanning shelves and generating tasks for store associates to restock or update in a timely manner.
Anees Haidri, strategic marketing/retail practice lead for Zebra Technologies, was pleased with the show.
“The show’s been fantastic,” Haidri said. “Technology continues to be an enabler. This is a tribute to how retailers are adopting technology as they see how it can improve their business. Solutions are the name of the game, and RFID technology has shown its provenance through the supply chain.”