European apparel retailer Scotch & Soda, with stores in more than 70 countries, needed to pinpoint individual items—down to the clothing type, color, and size—in each distribution center or store to avoid unsold surpluses each season.

In response to the pandemic, Scotch & Soda moved to omnichannel fulfillment, serving customers online, in brick-and-mortar stores, or via other channels. The company turned to radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags as a better way to track 10 million inventory items, help customers find the right item, and get goods to the right place.

With RFID, the retailer could fulfill stock directly from the stores, decreasing the time to reach the customer and improving customer service. Store associates can locate an item in real time, while corporate planners can use the information to optimize distribution, decrease waste, and better meet customer demand.