At this week’s Euroshop event in Dusseldorf, Checkpoint Systems has revealed the latest upgrades to its Halo IoT platform. The platform uses RFID-driven inventory data to drive the distribution of orders to stores. Staff then receive easy-to-use order information including the location of items and schedule for shipment or in-store pickup.

The New Jersey company also unveiled an RF label for metal products and metallic packaging. This has been developed for high-value, sought-after products, such as infant milk formula and multi-packs of energy drinks. It has now been deployed across six European countries, with positive feedback.

RFID can elevate inventory accuracy from 65-75% to 93-99%, with the capability to transform omnichannel and task management functionality. Halo uses RFID technology and accurate inventory data to help distribute orders among stores based on availability.

Retail operators are further supported by the Halo mobile app. This presents store staff with the order information and helps schedule fulfilment – locating the items and preparing for pickup or shipment. This functionality should improve in-store productivity and increase the units per hour fulfilled, while boosting sales and customer satisfaction.

Checkpoint was also joined at EuroShop by international fashion brand Desigual and Polish clothing company LPP.

“We continuously invest in logistics and IT to streamline the consumer-oriented omnichannel model,” said Daniel Muñoz, operations director of Desigual. “With Halo’s new in-store fulfilment functionality, we expect to further optimise operations through inventory accuracy, creating a new level of customer satisfaction.”

Across the retail industry, competition and consumer expectations continue to intensify. Checkpoint is helping retailers entice customers into stores with a video advertising and loss prevention platform, the Digital Display antenna.

Proven to increase sales opportunities, digital signage in stores encourages customers to spend up to 30% more time browsing, with four out of five brands experiencing additional sales of up to 33%. This hybrid can broadcast high impact video content to compel shoppers to enter stores while offering retailers full EAS (electronic article surveillance) functionality.

Historically, retailers with RF EAS had very limited options to protect products in metal packaging, leaving high-risk items vulnerable on shop shelves. The RF Metal Label has been developed for high-value, sought-after products, such as infant milk formula and multi-packs of energy drinks. It has now been deployed across six European countries, with positive feedback.

Further expanding the capability and performance of its labelling innovations, Checkpoint also announced the launch of the first inlays with the Impinj M700 tag chip family, including a version of its unique Uno RF/RFID label.

The patented and fully integrated Uno RF/RFID label features all-new RFID chip options, including the recently launched Impinj M750 chip. The label simultaneously offers retailers the benefits of EAS protection and RFID inventory management when paired with the appropriate hardware and software. This means only one label is required, helping to decrease labour costs and process time.

By combining RF and RFID technologies, Checkpoint is also helping to mitigate body shielding and shadowing, which can affect the performance of the individual technologies.

With store aesthetics playing a crucial role in driving sales conversions, retailers are turning to open merchandising to create engaging in-store experiences. Helping expand display opportunities, Checkpoint has unveiled a range of Alpha High Theft products.

Among the products launched at EuroShop, Checkpoint demonstrated its ShoeLok, an alarm tag that attaches to footwear without damaging the merchandise. Also on display, customised keepers, suitable for a diverse range of products, highlighted how retailers can protect brand aesthetics while improving visibility and sales.

And, to protect against shoplifters increasingly using counterfeit, stolen or illegally acquired detachers to defeat on-product devices, Checkpoint unveiled its S3VX. The range of security keys uses encryption technology to send a verification code to disarm on-product tags, during which time the device can then be opened using an extra-strength S3x magnet.

With the role of bricks-and-mortar stores changing, retailers are turning to new formats to improve the in-store experience for customers. Checkpoint’s antenna designs demonstrate how brands can achieve detection in every store format and industry. The range of EAS antennas includes many varieties, from unobtrusive in-lane protection to free-standing wall or door mounted sensors, powered by Checkpoint’s connected Neo electronics platform.

“As the only vertically integrated provider, we have a comprehensive understanding of the complex challenges retailers face,” said Fran Zanier, EMEA marketing director at Checkpoint Systems. “We continue to demonstrate how we are working with retailers around the world to improve financial performance and deliver a seamless customer experience. We’re delighted with the reception from visitors at our booth at Euroshop 2020 as we continue to support and inspire the future of retail intelligence.”