IoT-Based Drone Seeks Treasure for History Channel

     U.K. fashion and homeware retailer Matalan has boosted its inventory accuracy by 30 percent, thanks to an RFID-based solution deployed across all of its 220 stores. The technology was installed and taken live following a two-store pilot, throughout the course of fewer than five months.

    The system and the majority of tags were provided by solutions technology company SML. With the technology in place, the retailer has brought its inventory accuracy to more than 95 percent, enabling easy access to products for customers, whether in the store or online. The system was taken fully live in November 2018.

    Like most retailers, Matalan is challenged with meeting the demand for fast delivery and easy availability of products for its customers, whether they are shopping online or browsing at stores. To provide consumers with quick access to goods ordered online, for instance, Matalan sought more accurate inventory data about which products were available at a given shopper's neighborhood store. By increasing inventory visibility, the company could better ensure that replenishment orders were placed as soon as an item was sold. RFID data also enables the company to access analytic data indicating how goods sell at specific stores, and to then adjust each site's inventory levels accordingly. Matalan has declined to comment for this story.