Department store chain improves inventory accuracy with RFID

The Bon-Ton Stores is speeding up how it restocks merchandise.



The department store chain is replacing its manual, paper-based restocking process with a radio frequency identification (RFID)-based system. The solution, from Zebra, enables store associates to fully restock merchandise displays in a fraction of the time — a move that increases productivity and enables associates to spend more time servicing shoppers.



As soon as associates arrive for their shift in the morning, they scan the selling floor using the RFID-enabled readers to compare items on display against on-hand inventories. This process helps them identify missing items that should be on the sales floor. According to store audits, up to 20% of merchandise in certain categories might be missing from the sales floor during a given week, resulting in missed sales opportunities.



The solution also allows store associates to scan and tag new merchandise as it first arrives in-store so it can be immediately placed on display, leading to quicker item availability for shoppers and increased sales. The RFID technology also provides deeper visibility into what merchandise is available at all times, which increases inventory management efficiencies.



The solution is available in more than 180 Bon-Ton department stores.



“We look forward to expanding this rollout to include additional use cases across all of our stores in support of our omnichannel strategy to support our customers’ changing shopping habits,” said Lisa Celebre, VP of store operations, The Bon-Ton Stores.



Bon-Ton Stores operates 261 stores in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains regions under the Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson's, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers banners.