In our ongoing effort to deliver better service to our customers through improved product availability, we will begin an item-level Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging pilot in our stores this month.
The pilot will consist of certain styles of merchandise being marked with RFID-enabled tags. The RFID/EPC (Electronic Product Code) tags function like an intelligent barcode and contain only the Electronic Product Code unique to each garment.
The tags are designed to be removed at the time of purchase. They are not required in the event that the customer wishes to return the garment. No link will be made between the garment information held by the tag and the customer's personal information.
These new tags will enable store associates to perform more frequent inventory counts on merchandise, with the ultimate goal of more timely replenishment of out-of-stocks.
We believe that the use of RFID technology can enable us to provide an even higher level service to our customers by enhancing our ability to have the right product available at the right time while providing us even more accurate information from our inventory control system.