Levi Strauss invented the first work trousers for cowboys, prospectors, and farmers in San Francisco in the late 19th century. That is when the practical and hard-wearing work trousers made of denim fabric started to conquer the world \u2013 and laid the foundation for one of the apparel industry\u2019s most coveted brands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, Levi Strauss & Co. has once again achieved a pioneering position regarding the use of RFID technology: 100% of US stores are already RFID-enabled, and a staggering 50 million Levi’s products are currently tagged with UHF RFID labels. As a true leader, the company doesn\u2019t rest on its laurels, though: By 2021, 3,000 Levi’s stores around the globe will be equipped with UHF RFID tags as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRFID technology is becoming the standard. In the trade with goods, the customer and the product should be the focus. The use of RFID technology promotes this goal, as employees become digital shopping experts and advise customers about products they have not yet had the chance to hold in their hands. There will be no future in retail without RFID.\u201d \u2014 Stefan Otte, Vice President Global Real Estate & Partner Retail, at Levi Strauss & Co.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo future in retail without RFID\u201d<\/strong>
In a comprehensive article, the \u201cRFID & WIRELESS IOT GLOBAL\u201d magazine sheds light on the history of Levi Strauss\u2019 RFID implementation, the company\u2019s motivation, experiences, and plans for the near future. The magazine also conducted an interview with Stefan Otte, Vice President Global Real Estate & Partner Retail, at Levi Strauss & Co., who said that \u201cRFID technology is becoming the standard. In the trade with goods, the customer and the product should be the focus. The use of RFID technology promotes this goal, as employees become digital shopping experts and advise customers about products they have not yet had the chance to hold in their hands. There will be no future in retail without RFID.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nSales increase thanks to RFID<\/strong>
That statement alone should lure apparel retail decision-makers into reading the article carefully. In doing so, they will get to know the in-depth reasons for the global rollout in 110 countries, which, in a nutshell, is centered around optimizing inventory accuracy, according to Stefan Otte: “The increase in inventory accuracy to almost 100 percent opens up new potentials in sales. Stores in which the RFID application is already fully operational records an average increase in the low to mid single digits,” reports Stefan Otte.\u201d On top of that, omnichannel shopping, self-service terminals, and much more can be integrated once RFID is implemented. <\/p>\n\n\n\nReaders of the RFID & WIRELESS IOT GLOBAL article<\/a> will learn more about Levi Strauss\u2019s RFID implementation process and Avery Dennison\u2019s involvement in that roll-out, which includes the delivery of pre-coded paper labels directly to the manufacturers of Levi’s products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n