JD Sports Fashion and Checkpoint Systems tackle challenges using RFID inventory management

Checkpoint Systems has inked a multi-year global agreement with JD Sports Fashion to deploy its RFID inventory management software, ItemOptix, across the retailer’s Sports Fashion Group stores, starting in Europe.  

The tie up began with a pilot in the second half of 2024 across five stores in the UK, France, and Spain, and has scaled into a full SaaS roll-out. By the end of 2025, Checkpoint had launched the initial phase, bringing more than 400 stores live in the UK and Ireland, with the deployment expanding across Europe to reach nearly 1,000 stores by the end of 2026.

In parallel, its DC tunnel solutions are already operational in JD Sports’ UK DC, with installation at the Netherlands DC scheduled imminently. 

During the pilot phase, 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.

Daniel McGrath, JD Group Head of Customer Operations, says, “We are very excited to take our partnership with Checkpoint to the next level over the coming months and years ahead, and we thank Checkpoint for their support and for everyone’s efforts to date as we start our RFID Journey.” 

“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’s VP Global Software, says: “Working with the JD Sports team has been a great experience, and one our team looks forward to continuing in the years to come. JD choosing our ItemOptix software platform to be their software of choice for their RFID journey is yet another great endorsement from a retailer that our solution is what the market is looking for; a solution which is easy to use, easy to deploy, and easy to adapt.” 

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Inventory management will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards will open for entries in April. They celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 15th October.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC 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.