The latest RFID applications for retail – the consumer is the winner

EuroShop 2008, the world’s No. 1 trade fair for the investment needs of retail and its partners, will open its doors in Düsseldorf from 23 to 27 February 2008. Information and education with the help of everyday examples are the objectives set for the GS1 Germany presentation at EuroShop 2008. Together with partners from retail and industry, GS1 will be showcasing actual technical applications for retailers within the “RFID Expo” special presentation in Hall 6.

RFID technology – in combination with electronic product codes (EPC) – is revolutionising logistics processes at every link in the merchandise management chain. Not only does it facilitate faster completion of procedures for all those involved through contactless identification but it also allows all participants to access the database at the heart of the system at any time and trace the current location of a product.

The resulting constant availability and traceability of goods are advantages that also benefit consumers. What’s more, shoppers have valuable additional information, such as an egg’s place of origin or the sizes and colours in ladies’ slacks in the stockroom, right at their fingertips on store shelves.

“The basis for the wide-scale introduction of EPC/RFID is in place – the appropriate standards are available and the technology works well. Even the technological pilot phases are already a thing of the past. Numerous actual rollouts are currently underway and will in future spread to many further areas. Coupled with electronic product codes (EPC), this offers consumers a host of new possibilities spanning everything from patient safety in hospitals through accelerated checkouts at supermarkets to security checks at airports,” announced Jörg Pretzel, CEO of GS1 Germany.

The GS1 Germany joint presentation at EuroShop will spotlight cutting-edge EPC/RFID technologies for the efficient management of sales areas and optimisation of retail industry logistics processes. In addition, an EPC/RFID-controlled store system will be unveiled that operates without the need for shop assistants.

EuroShop 2008 will welcome trade visitors to Halls 3–17 (excluding Hall 8) of the Düsseldorf Trade Fair Center daily between 10am and 6pm from Saturday, 23 February to Wednesday, 27 February 2008. One-day tickets will cost EUR 40 (EUR 28 plus postage if purchased online in advance), while two-day tickets will sell for EUR 60 (EUR 45 plus postage, online in advance). Five-day tickets will be available for EUR 110 (EUR 90 plus postage, online in advance). Students and trainees will be admitted for EUR 15. Admission tickets entitle holders to travel free of charge to and from the fair on public transport services within the Rhine-Ruhr and Rhine-Sieg Regional Transport Networks (VRR and VRS). For further information on all aspects of EuroShop, please go to www.euroshop.de.

GS1 Germany is the service and competence center for cross-company business processes in the German consumer goods industry. At an international level, GS1 Germany, as part of the global GS1 network, creates internationally applicable standards and makes rationalisation recommendations with the aim of maximising the efficiency of data and product flows as well as organisational processes between production sites and store shelves.

For further information, please go to www.gs1-germany.de