Decathlon gets to source of supply chain efficiency

Global sporting goods retailer Decathlon, which operates 850 stores in 22 countries, is improving inventory visibility and shelf accuracy.

Decathlon will roll out radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions from Checkpoint Systems in more than 400 stores globally and further extend its existing RFID source-tagging program for millions of products in all its stores around the world.

The service, which complies with Decathlon requirements for high-speed and high-quality printing, as well as corporate and environmental social responsibility, ensures that 100% of RFID labels delivered to vendors are encoded accurately.

Decathlon’s RFID source tagging program enables items to arrive in store shelf-ready, freeing employees from manually checking deliveries or applying labels to merchandise before they reach the shop floor. Source tagging involves applying electronic article surveillance (EAS) or RFID labels to products during the manufacturing process.

Decathlon has already installed Checkpoint’s dual-mode Evolve Exclusive E10 radio frequency (RF)- and RFID-based antennas in 19 countries, while carrying out an extensive RFID source-tagging program, as well as implementing Alpha High Theft Solutions to protect high-risk merchandise.

The key challenge for Decathlon was to improve its inventory visibility while enhancing its in-store loss prevention capabilities. The retailer tested Checkpoint’s Wirama Radar technology and found that it delivered the required performance.

By identifying the location and direction of movement of a tagged item in-store, Wirama Radar can distinguish whether an item is simply merchandised near the exit or potentially being stolen. As a result, the retailer is able to identify exactly the merchandise that is potentially being stolen.