M&S continues RFID trial

Marks & Spencer is to step up its radio frequency identification (RFID) trials to better establish the business case for a full roll-out of the technology.

The high street clothing and food retailer will begin its second wave of RFID testing this spring, following a "promising" first trial.

Conducted during October and November 2003 at the chain's High Wycombe store, the item-level tagging trial tested the viability of using RFID tags on men's suits, shirts and ties.

It highlighted that modifications would need to be made in the second phase of testing to scanners installed in the distribution centre and in the loading bay.

Mobile scanners proved more accurate than the fixed scanner portal designed to read rails of hanging garments being pushed through warehouses and loading bays at speed.

Although the first trial took place between only one store and the distribution centre, a spokeswoman for Marks & Spencer said there were early indications that the introduction of RFID would be valuable to supply chain management.

"We see the main benefit of RFID being the creation of more efficiencies in the supply chain," she said.

Research has also revealed that customers are unaware of RFID consumer privacy issues.

The retailer is to redesign its RFID labelling and customer information leaflets after the independent survey of 50 customers in its High Wycombe store showed that greater explanation was needed.

But Marks & Spencer said that consumers should not be concerned about data usage, as the 'Intelligent Label' was not scanned at the till, and would not be associated to the purchaser.

"People have a high level of trust in Marks & Spencer and we believe using RFID in the supply chain will offer them better service and stock availability," added the spokeswoman.

The trial was partly funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and drew upon consultancy from Paxar and Dewhirst. Scanner technology from Intellident and SAMSys RFID readers were used in the trial, which also used EM Microelectronic microchips.