Changing mindsets to improve data accuracy

Such lack of data accuracy can not only lead to difficulties in meeting fast-moving trends but also age-old problems like shrink and loss, rapid changes in customer demands for goods, and delivery errors. Label inaccuracies (weight, delivery address, inventory) are said to account for 22% of errors in logistics supply chains. 

In a recent retail webinar about moving towards item-level identification, one expert says it requires organisations to start thinking differently. They need to recognise that every unique item has a unique identity and what to do with that information like, for example, managing returns fraud, which is a huge industry issue. One of the biggest challenges was said to be changing mindsets to something different than 1974 barcodes! 

RAIN RFID is just one method that businesses are fast learning can be incorporated to compliment, rather than replace, linear barcoding to achieve the level of visibility needed to close data accuracy gaps in their supply chain. It can elevate inventory accuracy from around 60-65% to over 95%. And correcting inventory accuracies can even lead to an 11% increase in sales. 

Integrating RFID and IoT into labelling systems enhances supply chain intelligence. RFID-enabled labels facilitate real-time tracking of products and materials, offering improved visibility and traceability, all of which power more robust forecasting and decision-making. In turn, this bolsters supply chain integrity, enabling organisations to become more agile and better able to respond to any stressors their supply chains face.

And the level of ‘stressors’ and disruptors they face is rising rapidly, from financial volatility and escalating ESG demands, to shifting regulations and geopolitical tensions. Some 70% of supply chain leaders are said to be planning or executing supply chain relocation or diversification, especially as a means to control the chaos of tariffs.

And with requirements for the Digital Product Passport (DPP) expected as early as 2027, and compliance due in 2028 to the Food Traceability Rule, only item-level identification offered by smart labels like 2D barcodes and RFID will enable businesses to efficiently fulfil their new traceability obligations.

RFID smart packaging is particularly beneficial in industries like pharmaceuticals and food logistics, where monitoring environmental conditions such as temperature or humidity is crucial. RFID labels can track these conditions in real time, minimising the risk of spoilage and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Getting smarter in the warehouse

As unified commerce blurs the line between in-store and online shopping, distribution centres (DCs) have to keep pace with real-time inventory demands and enable faster fulfilment and seamless customer experiences. Smart DC solutions make this transformation possible.

From the moment shipments arrive, barcode and RFID scanning instantly updates inventory in the cloud, while AI-driven systems optimise put-away for faster retrieval. When orders come in, AI prioritises fulfilment, directing workers with enterprise mobile computers (EMCs) to use the most efficient picking routes. Thermal printers generate precise shipping labels, ensuring accuracy at every step.

Outbound shipments move seamlessly through automated sorting lanes, with AI optimising delivery routes and barcode/RFID tracking keeping orders on course. Even returns are streamlined, AI assesses restocking options, EMCs guide workers, and cloud-based updates keep inventory records accurate in real time.

This is the seamless operation retailers strive for in unified commerce, connecting online and in-store fulfilment into one frictionless journey. In the fast-moving retail landscape, data is the key to unlocking unified commerce. AI, cloud computing, and automation are transforming retail operations but they all rely on accurate, real-time data. 

This is where automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technologies play a crucial role, enabling seamless data capture, automation triggers, and intelligent decision-making. By integrating and analysing data across channels, retailers can streamline operations, enhance consumer engagement, and drive long-term loyalty.

TSC Auto ID’s AIDC solutions, including thermal printers, EMCs, consumables, and supporting software, provide the foundation for retailers to build smart DC operations, ensuring accurate tracking, real-time visibility, and efficient workflows. Discover how unlocking the power of item-level data and TSC’s AIDC solutions can help optimise your supply chain processes, or join TSC’s next retail webinar on November 18.