Numerous leading apparel retailers have piloted RFID and many have also chosen to implement it. JCPenneys, American Apparel, Walmart, Gerry Weber and The Gap have reported such attractive results that it must be a question of time when others start to follow.

Why does RFID mean more sales? Depending a bit on the implementation, the reports show a 5-30% growth in sales. A lot of this can be pinned down to O-O-S reductions, which in different research has proved to lead to 83% of consumers leaving the store empty handed as a response to O-O-S. RFID helps  O-O-S situations in at least three significant ways:

• Exact Goods In: the store staff can easily (within minutes) recognize all items that arrive to a store and the information will then be combined with PoS information giving accurate stock levels from beginning on (accounting also to possible shrinkage during transport)
• Misplacements fixed: The store staff can tour around the store with a mobile unit and find misplaced items and return them to correct shelves or racks
• Exact Stock levels: The store staff can read all items in the store even within 30 minutes, allowing them to scan all items and recognize missing items. Additionally when using RFID enabled EAS, the store will know exactly which item is missing from stock

Consumers finding items easier at stores are more prone to purchase more items. The store staff has more time for customer service, having a chance to induce the consumer to buy more and additionally is more satisfied with their work (reported by Gerry Weber for example).