Impinj RFID Technology Helps Jewelry Chain Improve Inventory Accuracy

Impinj, Inc. announced that French jeweler CLEOR has implemented a chain-wide “Powered by Impinj” RFID solution that significantly improved inventory accuracy and supply chain efficiency throughout all of its 50 stores, which process nearly one million pieces of jewelry annually. Since implementing RFID, the company has benefitted from reduced out-of-stocks, decreased stock levels, lower operating costs and measurably increased sales volume.

The RFID solution developed by Frequentiel, a systems integrator, and Tageos, a manufacturer of RFID labels and antennas, employs multiple read points throughout the supply chain including:

• Shipment Receiving: Impinj Speedway Revolution readers with Tageos Cube antennas read incoming bags, each containing 100 pieces of RFID tagged jewelry. The automated shipment receiving process dramatically reduces time spent inspecting jewelry at the DC/warehouse, resulting in considerable cost savings and increased inventory accuracy.

• Delivery Verification: Store employees verify receipt of jewelry packed in small plastic bags using Speedway Revolution readers and Tageos mat antennas. The RFID solution decreases time spent verifying stock delivery and increases store inventory accuracy.

• On-Shelf Inventory: Employees use handheld readers based on Impinj Indy reader chips and Tageos paddle antennas to frequently inventory items on store shelves. The return on investment for inventory control has been substantial. A process that once consumed four days now requires only four hours and reduces damage by eliminating physical handling of jewelry.

“System integrators once viewed jewelry as difficult to tag with RFID, but Frequentiel and Tageos have overcome the challenges typical of reading small metal objects to deliver an elegant solution for CLEOR,” said Scot Stelter, senior director of marketing at Impinj, Inc. “We expect this market will grow rapidly now that our partners have demonstrated a solution with compelling ROI.”