After installing Checkpoint’s RFID inventory management software at its stores in the UK and Ireland, sportswear retailer JD Sports plans to roll out the technology across nearly 1000 outlets in Europe this year.

New Jersey-based Checkpoint has signed a multi-year global software agreement with JD Sports to deploy the ItemOptix software across all its stores, starting in Europe.

This partnership should modernise inventory management, delivering real-time visibility that enables JD Sports to improve shelf availability and make more accurate, data-driven inventory-focused decisions across its store network. 

The collaboration began with a pilot in the second half of 2024 across five stores in the UK, France and Spain, and has rapidly scaled into a full SaaS rollout. By the end of 2025, it had brought more than 400 stores live in the UK and Ireland, with the deployment due to expand across Europe to reach nearly 1000 stores by the end of 2026. In parallel, its DC tunnel technology is already operational in JD Sports’ UK distribution centre, with installation at the Netherlands distribution centre scheduled imminently.

ItemOptix (checkpointsystems.com/rfid-solutions/itemoptix-rfid-software/) can deliver clearer inventory visibility, accuracy in stock counts and replenishment, and improved shelf availability that reduces out-of-stocks and enhances the customer experience. During the pilot, JD Sports reported a 12% increase in on-shelf availability and a 20% improvement in restocking speed with a 95% increase in items found, driven by the real-time insights and operational agility provided by the platform. The ItemOptix software deployment kit lets the retailer integrate key RFID processes directly into its existing operational store app.

“We are very excited to take our partnership with Checkpoint to the next level over the coming months and years ahead,” said Daniel McGrath, JD’s head of customer operations. “We are forming a partnership to span many years, and that needs to start on the right footing, and I firmly believe we have created that between us. Both sides have worked tirelessly and in very short timelines to get us to where we are today.”

Sarabjeet Chhatwal, Checkpoint (checkpointsystems.com) vice president, added: “Working with the JD Sports team has been a great experience, and one our team looks forward to continuing in the years to come.”

Established in 1981 with a single store in the north-west of England, JD (www.jdplc.com) is a global omnichannel retailer of sports fashion and outdoor brands. It has 4850 stores across 49 countries including franchises and joint ventures, with a strong presence in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.