Tesco Testing RFID Technology
LONDON - UK supermarket operator Tesco is conducting a trial of radio frequency identity tags on Gillette razor blades at one of its stores, the BBC reports.
The electronic radio tags are intended to allow staff and customers to keep track of the goods in the store. They will also help prevent shoplifting, tracking the razors from the shelf to the cash register and out of the door.
"Tagging products will lead to real improvements for both customers and staff with instant information and improved availability," said Tesco technology director Colin Cobain.
The radio frequency identity tags have been developed by the Auto-ID Center, a standards group set up at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and with research labs at Cambridge University.
Gillette Co. recently announced that it will attach RFID tags to some of its products that ship to Wal-Mart stores.
If the tests are successful, expect Gillette to tag many more of its products in the near future. Observers say the trials bring RFID technology much closer to mainstream commercial use.
The electronic radio tags are intended to allow staff and customers to keep track of the goods in the store. They will also help prevent shoplifting, tracking the razors from the shelf to the cash register and out of the door.
"Tagging products will lead to real improvements for both customers and staff with instant information and improved availability," said Tesco technology director Colin Cobain.
The radio frequency identity tags have been developed by the Auto-ID Center, a standards group set up at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and with research labs at Cambridge University.
Gillette Co. recently announced that it will attach RFID tags to some of its products that ship to Wal-Mart stores.
If the tests are successful, expect Gillette to tag many more of its products in the near future. Observers say the trials bring RFID technology much closer to mainstream commercial use.