Improving order allocation in fashion supply chains using radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies

Abstract: Apparel retail for fashion products has to cope with many different product variants, long transport distances for ready-made products, long production and delivery times, short product sales times and low demand predictability due to erratic end consumer behavior. The need to route large numbers of articles through the suppliers’ distribution centers for customer individual picking causes inefficient use of storage space and workforce capacities, as well as excess transport. This chapter outlines a concept on how radio frequency identification (RFID) technology can be used for identification and tracking of individual garment pieces and packages, to allow customer order specific picking already at production plants. This eliminates the need for storage, order-specific picking and packing at warehouses. This chapter describes a prototypical software tool and discusses benefits and requirements for application of RFID technology to support more flexible forms of product delivery to retailers.

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