Retail RFID: Store-Level RFID Demonstrations Highlight Avery Dennison Exhibit At NRF 2008
Retailers and brand owners seeking proven technology for 
item-level and
customer-facing RFID applications, as well as security, brand identification and label printing, viewed and operated a host of advanced solutions at Avery Dennison Retail Information Services NRF 97th Annual Convention & Expo, January 13 – 16, 2008, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, NYC.
New-The Avery Dennison Demo Pod
Taking center stage at Avery Dennison's booth this year was the organization's new Demo Pod, a kiosk-like structure with shelving and hanging racks that simulated a retail store's floor environment and back room. The simulated environment demonstrates how an RFID infrastructure, consisting of RFID networking hardware, shelves equipped with RFID antennas, a handheld reader, and RFID management software can continually monitor RFID-tagged garments and footwear within a retail environment.
The demonstration module, which employs hardware and software from VUE Technology, is designed to showcase some of item-level RFID's most powerful capabilities. The item level RFID infrastructure reads the "store's" item-level inventory to capture product counts and locations in real time. When the counts and locations are compared to a plan-o-gram, replenishment processes are dramatically improved and on-floor availability maximized.
"One of the key elements that justifies item-level RFID is its ability to ensure that the right product will be available in the right location when customers come to buy," reports Avery Dennison RIS' Mark Thomas, RFID marketing manager, Americas. "The combination of RFID item level tags, along with VUE Technology hardware and software, provides for sales uplift and streamlining of the replenishment process."
Garments on Demo Pod shelves were outfitted with product identification that reflects Avery Dennison's broad ranging production capabilities. Items included size stickers, leather patches, joker labels, woven labels...and much more.
Magicmirror
In addition to Demo Pod, visitors to Avery Dennison's booth interacted with Magicmirror, the RFID customer-facing solution that provides store visitors with an emotional shopping experience. Magicmirror was developed by thebigspace, an Avery Dennison partner.
The "magic" in Magicmirror comes from built-in RFID technology. When a visitor carrying or wearing RFID-tagged items steps in front of Magicmirror, the mirror presents information such as color, size and the total dollar amount of items identified by the tags. Magicmirror can also present promotional messages, provide recommendations for matching accessories, and prompt assistance by store personnel. On the operations side, Magicmirror can be equipped with loss prevention applications and can record items for inventory management.
Tag and Label Printers
Avery Dennison Printer Systems Division exhibited the two newest members of its Monarch printer family, the Monarch 9854 and Monarch 9864.
The Monarch 9854 prints at speeds up to 8 ips, and offers a maximum 4.72-inch feed width and 4.1-inch print width. The Monarch 9864 prints at speeds up to 16 ips, and offers a maximum 10-inch feed width and 8.3-inch print width. The systems provide high resolution print, graphic support and data stream compatibility.
Also on display was the unique one-piece Monarch Pathfinder Ultra Platinum handheld bar code printer and the DC-powered Monarch 9878 Mobile Work Station. The Monarch Pathfinder Ultra Platinum printer combines the processes of scanning, printing and applying labels for improved efficiency and labor savings in label intensive applications. The Monarch 9878 brings high volume tabletop printing directly to merchandise, wherever it is.
Security Products
EAS products for loss prevention on display included woven and printed fabric labels, as well as hangtag solutions equipped with AM and RF technologies. The products, which can be used as part of a retailer's source tagging program, provide round-the-clock protection of goods.
About Avery Dennison Corporation
Avery Dennison is a global leader in pressure-sensitive labeling materials, retail tag, ticketing and branding systems and office products. Based in Pasadena, Calif., Avery Dennison is a FORTUNE 500 Company with 2006 sales of $5.6 billion. Following the acquisition of Paxar in 2007, Avery Dennison employs more than 30,000 individuals in over 50 countries worldwide who develop, manufacture and market a wide range of products for both consumer and industrial markets. Products offered by Avery Dennison include: Fasson brand self-adhesive materials; Avery Dennison and Paxar brand products for the retail and apparel industries; Avery brand office products and graphics imaging media; specialty tapes, peel-and-stick postage stamps, and labels for a wide variety of automotive, industrial and durable goods applications. Visit: www.ris.averydennison.com
SOURCE: Avery Dennison