Supermarkets Go High-Tech to Catch Shoplifters

Supermarkets Go High-Tech to Catch Shoplifters

Supermarkets have developed a new electronic tag on items most often targeted by shoplifters. The Source Tagging Alliance is urging suppliers to use radio frequency identification (RFID) and source tagging on grocery items at the point of manufacture.


Radio-frequency identification is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. It is used in enterprise supply chain management to improve the efficiency of inventory tracking and management.  RFID  is slowly adopted by supermarkets worldwide as it is deemed to be a cheap way of tracking the carbon-footprint of goods. It also provides traceability for food safety. 



Wal-mart, the world's biggest supermarket, has required its suppliers to use the technology by next year.  Britain's Tesco is also trialing the electronic chips and Germany's Metro is researching on the benefits offered by the tags.