A RFID inventory management system that claims to increase retail sales by up to 15%, deliver a 50% reduction in stock-to-floor labour efforts and with near-perfect accuracy, was launched at the Retail Expo Australasia earlier this month in Sydney.

"This new RFID technology means stock numbers, availability and even a product's location can be reported to staff at any time," says Tony Standley of Retail Alert Group.

"A store's walls are fitted with antennae which talk to the RFID panels on each product, so if a pair of jeans is moved to the wrong spot, staff will be notified where it is and, more importantly, where it should be, which also offers an intelligent security solution."

The new RFID system creates a communication system between an outlet's floor, back-of-house, its warehouse and even stock-in-transit, as the wall's antennae detect when stocks are low, items need to be replaced and whether they are on-site or on the way.

Nine West, American Apparel and New Balance are already using the new technology in their American outlets.