The GS1 organization has announced the roll-out of its next-generation "EPC" (Electronic Product Code) identification standard based on RFID technology at the retail group Oxylane. Starting in the spring of 2014, 85% of products sold in Oxylane Group will have an RFID tag.

This roll-out affects Oxylane Group's three main business areas: production, logistics and point of sale. An RFID roll-out on this scale is a first for a French retailer. For Patrice Ribout, Project Manager for Oxylane, RFID improves the group's performance significantly: "We have a much better product availability rate because we can check inventories more frequently. We are reducing internal shrinkage by implementing comprehensive item flow control. We are also improving the speed, security and reliability of the checkout process. We are therefore addressing the three key elements of the business model: an increase in revenue, an improved margin and efficiency at both the logistics and store level."