--- title: "Print, Tag, Win: RFID That Works on Everything from Tees to Treadmills" description: Discover how a global sporting goods retailer enhanced inventory accuracy & order fulfilment with SATO’s end-to-end RFID solution. --- [Learn How to Optimise Your Operations Through SATO Case Studies ](https://sato-oceania.com/case-studies) # [Print, Tag, Win: RFID That Works on Everything from Tees to Treadmills](https://sato-oceania.com/case-studies/print-tag-win-rfid-that-works-on-everything-from-tees-to-treadmills) Written by [Shiki Chan](https://sato-oceania.com/case-studies/author/shiki-chan) | Nov 4, 2024 8:30:00 PM ## Summary: A global sporting goods retailer with over 200 stores upgraded its inventory accuracy and order fulfilment by deploying SATO’s CL4NX Plus RFID printer, capable of tagging both metal and non-metal items. The result: faster stocktakes, automated receiving, reduced shrinkage, and better fulfilment. ANZ brands can unlock similar wins by future-proofing their labelling infrastructure. ## Background **How do you manage item-level inventory in a retail world where a T-shirt, a tennis ball, and a treadmill all need tagging?** Retail and sporting goods brands in Australia and New Zealand are facing rising pressure to: - Scale eCommerce fulfilment - Reduce inventory losses - Enable omnichannel traceability across complex product ranges Manual stocktakes and barcode-based systems are **labour-intensive, error-prone, and often incompatible** with mixed material products. Worse still, many systems can’t handle metallic products, making RFID tagging unreliable across categories. According to GS1 Australia, **RFID technology can increase inventory accuracy from 63% to 95%**, reduce stockouts by 50%, and [improve order fulfilment by 80% when implemented correctly](https://www.gs1au.org/industries/general-merchandise/rfid-in-retail). ## Business Challenge A global **sporting goods retailer** — offering apparel, equipment, and accessories across hundreds of stores and multiple warehouses — was grappling with: - A patchwork system of barcodes and devices for different product types - Manual receiving and counting processes are vulnerable to human error - Stocktake processes that were slow and inconsistent - Rising inventory shrinkage, especially for high-value metal-tagged items The retailer needed a **unified, accurate, and scalable system** for labelling and tracking **metallic and non-metallic inventory items**, without slowing down operations. ## SATO’s RFID Solution SATO, in partnership with four specialised technology providers, deployed an RFID solution designed to overcome the unique challenges of the sporting goods retail sector. **Key components:** - **SATO [CL4NX Plus RFID printer](https://sato-oceania.com/products/cl4nx-plus)**: Optimised for printing RFID tags for both metal and non-metal items using an adaptable RFID kit. - **Built-in precision sensor**: Ensures accurate reading and encoding of RFID IC chips for consistent tag performance. - **Diverse item tagging**: From dumbbells and bicycles to t-shirts and balls — all tagged with one system. - **System upgrade to RFID SGTIN**: Replaced UPC/EAN barcodes with serialised global trade identification numbers (SGTIN) for item-level traceability. This shift allowed the customer to **uniquely identify each product**, not just the product type, giving them deeper insights and complete visibility across the inventory lifecycle. ## Results & Impact | **Benefit** | **Outcome** | | --- | --- | | Stocktaking Efficiency | ✔️Faster, more accurate audits and checks | | Receiving Automation | ✔️Hands-free inspection and data capture | | Inventory Loss Reduction | ✔️Improved traceability and theft prevention | | Order Fulfilment Accuracy | ✔️Fewer missed or mislabelled items in shipments | ## Why It Matters in Australia & New Zealand In ANZ, retailers are being forced to modernise faster: - [Labour shortages are increasing the cost of manual inventory handling](https://www.retail.org.au/retail-insights-report-2024) - High-value inventory (like tech or sporting gear) demands **item-level traceability** - Retailers need future-proof systems that scale with eCommerce growth SATO’s CL4NX Plus RFID printer supports **both metal and non-metal tagging**, a key advantage for ANZ brands selling diverse product lines, from clothing to equipment. Combined with RFID SGTIN standards, the system offers end-to-end visibility and shrinkage prevention **without needing multiple labelling devices**. ## **Useful Links & ANZ Insights** 1. [GS1 Australia – RFID in Retail & Inventory Accuracy](https://www.gs1au.org/industries/general-merchandise/rfid-in-retail)* - *Explores the benefits of RFID technology in the retail sector, including improved inventory accuracy and supply chain efficiency.​ 2. [Australian Retailers Association – Retail Insights Report 2024](https://www.retail.org.au/retail-insights-report-2024) - ​Provides comprehensive insights into the Australian retail landscape, highlighting trends and challenges retailers face.​ 3. [Accenture – Reinventing the Future of Retail](https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/retail/reinventing-future-retail) - ​Discusses strategies for building agile and transparent supply chains to mitigate disruptions and enhance profitability.​ 4. [GS1 – EPC/RFID Standards and Guidelines](https://www.gs1.org/standards/rfid)*​ - *Offers detailed information on EPC/RFID standards, facilitating global visibility and traceability in supply chains. ## Final Takeaway If you’re a retailer or brand in Australia or New Zealand managing **inventory across multiple categories and materials**, your legacy labelling system could be costing you time, money, and trust. SATO’s RFID solution, powered by the CL4NX Plus printer, gives you: - Tagging flexibility (metal and non-metal) - Accurate, scalable stock control - Item-level traceability with RFID SGTIN - Faster receiving, fewer errors, and leaner labour demand **With a global footprint and deep experience across major manufacturing hubs**, SATO can help your local and overseas partners deploy end-to-end RFID solutions, from label sourcing to factory integration and retail execution. **Upgrade your labelling. Elevate your inventory. Future-proof your retail operations.** ##### Protect your brand and hard-earned customer satisfaction, and [contact us to learn how RFID can streamline your operations](https://sato-oceania.com/contact-us). 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