Wal-Mart Expands RFID Program to 300
by July 6, 2004 12:00 am 65 views
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to require its top 300 vendors to have radio frequency identification tags on crates and pallets by January 2006.
Currently, the company’s 100 top vendors and 37 volunteer companies are working toward a January 2005 deadline to have RFID tags on crates and pallets going to north Texas distribution centers.
The world’s largest retailer told suppliers in mid-June that it wants RFID tags to be used in 250 of the company’s 2,000 stores and six distribution centers by June 2005. By October 2005, the target is 600 stores and 13 distribution centers.
Cases and pallets of 21 products from eight suppliers are currently being shipped to Wal-Mart’s Sanger, Texas, distribution center and then onward to seven local Supercenters with RFID tags attached.
This technology should allow for easier inventory tracking.
Wal-Mart said the RFID tags will begin appearing on large products in stores, such as electronics, bicycles and lawnmowers. In all instances, the cases will have tags only on the outermost packaging.