Walmart Avery Dennison claim breakthrough innovation for RFID technology in fresh categories
Walmart and Avery Dennison have announced a new tie up to advance the use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology in fresh categories.
Looking to help develop a solution to a longstanding industry challenge of using RFID technology in high moisture, cold environments, like meat cases, Walmart teamed with Avery Dennison to create and test what is pitched as a first of its kind sensor technology that brings RFID enabled labels to the meat department.
By using Avery Dennison’s RFID solutions in meat, along with bakery and the deli department, Walmart associates can track inventory faster and more accurately, making sure products stay stocked and ready when customers want them.
With digital use by dates right at their fingertips, associates can also rotate products more efficiently and make smarter markdown decisions, helping cut down on unsold food.
“We believe technology should make things easier for both our associates and our customers,” says Christyn Keef, VP of Front End Transformation at Walmart U.S. “By cutting down on manual work, we’re giving our associates more time to focus on what really matters - helping our customers.”
Julie Vargas, VP and GM of Avery Dennison Identification Solutions, comments: “Supporting Walmart with first-to-market RFID innovation across multiple fresh food categories underscores our mutual commitment to people and the planet.”
“By giving each item its own digital identity, associates instantly know the freshness of the foods they are handling, enabling better inventory management and resulting in less waste. This is a landmark moment for the industry, and chimes with our own personal milestone as Avery Dennison celebrates 90 years of helping to solve some of the world’s most complex challenges.”
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
RFID technology was a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
We received a record number of entries and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
For a full rundown of all of the shortlisted entries, click here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC in Central London on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
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