Tracking technology applied to innovative store format and vast product selection to enhance shopping experience

Tracking technology applied to innovative store format and vast product selection to enhance shopping experience

CentrObuv, a leading footwear retailer in Russia, has partnered with Avery Dennison Retail Branding and Information Solutions (RBIS) division to launch the first radio frequency identification (RFID) pilot in footwear and fashion retail in Russia.

The RFID programme has been designed to improve inventory visibility and significantly reduce retail out-of-stocks and stranded inventory, enhancing the consumer’s shopping experience and retailer’s return on investment (ROI).

Scaling technology to growth

“We realise that our existing technologies cannot properly manage our needs given our business growth,” said Andrey Nesterov, chief executive of CentrObuv. “RFID helps to capture the information we need regarding the availability of any item in any store wherever its location.

“Thanks to this innovative technology we can see our entire assortment, which is over 2500 SKUs [stock-keeping units], and better serve our customers’ needs. After our initial pilot we will consider implementing the solution in all our stores.”

Tagging at distribution source

The Avery Dennison RBIS Quickstart system is being implemented in a Centro store that is a part of CentrObuv’s group of companies. It provides for printing and encoding RFID labels and tickets in the Centro distribution centres to track the movement of stock in and out of the store, manage replenishment, more efficiently conduct stock counts and support loss prevention.

The Avery Dennison RBIS local management team is providing associate training and assistance with the Quickstart complete business case analysis tools.