RFID Tags
Tagging items at the source is what makes retail RFID work — every garment or product carries a unique ID the moment it enters the supply chain, so it can be counted, located, and checked out without ever being touched by a barcode scanner. CedaGlo's RFID apparel hang tags combine inventory tracking with optional NFC tap-to-engage, so the same tag that speeds up stocktaking can also power product storytelling at the point of sale. For sewn-in applications, woven nylon and satin ribbon labels offer the same UHF/HF/NFC tracking in a low-profile, garment-friendly format.
RFID Readers
The handheld UHF RFID reader is the workhorse of retail RFID: staff walk a rack or a stockroom shelf and read hundreds of tagged items in seconds, turning a full-store stock count into a task that takes minutes instead of hours — reading over 1,000 tags per second on models like CedaGlo's MC51 and C72. Paired with a rugged mobile computer for receiving and replenishment, this is usually the first RFID investment a retailer makes, well before checkout-counter or store-wide infrastructure comes into play.
Fixed Readers & Antennas
For larger stores, fixed RFID readers and panel antennas can be added at checkout counters and store exits for automatic multi-item checkout and loss-prevention alerts — a natural next step once tags and handheld readers are already in place.
Applications
RFID technology has penetrated various aspects of the retail industry:
Inventory Management: Handheld readers turn a full-store stock count into a fast sweep, keeping on-shelf and stockroom counts accurate in near real time.
Checkout: Fixed readers at the counter identify an entire basket of tagged items at once, cutting checkout time and queues.
Loss Prevention: Antennas at store exits detect unpaid tagged items leaving the floor, reducing shrinkage without blocking the shopping experience.
Loyalty & Engagement: NFC-enabled cards let customers tap into loyalty programs, promotions, and digital receipts right at the counter.
CedaGlo RFID technology has become an indispensable part of modern retail. Through the combination of tags, handheld and fixed readers, antennas, and NFC cards, retailers achieve accurate inventory, faster checkout, and stronger loss prevention — with hardware built to match each stage of the store, from the stockroom to the sales floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much faster is an RFID stock count than a barcode count?
A handheld UHF reader reads hundreds of tagged items in seconds while staff walk a rack or shelf. Models such as the CedaGlo MC51 and C72 read over 1,000 tags per second, which turns a full-store count from hours into minutes.
Which RFID tags are used on apparel?
Hang tags are the most common, and CedaGlo apparel hang tags can add NFC tap-to-engage alongside UHF inventory tracking. For sewn-in tagging, woven nylon and satin ribbon labels carry UHF, HF or NFC chips in a low-profile format.
Do retailers need fixed readers at checkout from the start?
No. Most retailers start with tags and handheld readers for stock accuracy, then add fixed readers and antennas at checkout counters and exits for multi-item checkout and loss prevention as the program grows.
Can the same tag support inventory and customer engagement?
Yes. A dual-function hang tag uses UHF for stock counts and NFC for a phone tap that opens product content, and NFC cards can extend this to loyalty programs and digital receipts at the counter.
Can a retailer test RFID in one store before a chain-wide rollout?
Yes. Hang tags and woven labels start from 1 piece, so one store or one product line can be trialled first. A custom sample with your artwork costs from US$50 per order, and unit prices step down once the rollout reaches volume tiers.