Pioneer success for the textile industry

Gerry Weber introduces RFID (radiofrequency identification) technology. Non-contact recognition and registration technology by T-Systems will secure products in stores.

Gerry Weber will optimize its logistics and retail processes with RFID technology over the course of next year. Supported by the Telekom subsidiary, the fashion and lifestyle company will be the first one in Germany to use RFID for product surveillance.

With this system, Gerry Weber will integrate a mini-chip into the care labels of approximately 25 million garments annually. With this mini-chip, the electronic product code (EPC) of each piece can be uniquely identified without visual or touch contact.

RFID chips instead of magnetic needles

Tests conducted by Gerry Weber and T-Systems this year showed how RFID can simplify product surveillance in a store. To this end, the Telekom subsidiary developed special RFID readers for the cash registers and an efficient RFID antenna for the exits.

The RFID chip in each garment is recorded in a database and in the cash holdings of each store. After an item has been purchased, its identity number is deleted and thus an alarm at the exit is prevented. Gerry Weber wants to equip 150 of its own stores with this technology over the course of next year.

Gerhard Weber, CEO of Gerry Weber International AG, is thrilled with the new possibilities: “For us the decision to roll out RFID is a true milestone.”