Nowadays, value stream mapping (VSM) is recognised as the main tool for implementing lean manufacturing. Unfortunately, it always leads to pure pull systems and discourages the adoption of hybrid push/pull ones, although their superiority has been proven in several industrial settings. Due to these issues, this paper presents an enhancement of the standard VSM, which supports the user in designing the future state map of a synchro-MRP system. This new tool includes new mapping icons, simple mathematical formulas and operating guidelines that make it possible to assess the benefits of a synchro-MRP system, with respect to the usual kanban or CONWIP ones. In order to demonstrate the quality and the practical utility of the proposed approach, an industrial application of relevance is finally presented.

This paper presents the result of the RFID logistics pilot III (RLP3) project, which has dealt with the deployment of the radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and the development of an IT infrastructure for the management of the real-time data collected in a fresh food supply chain. More specifically, we report the benefits achievable in that supply chain, with a particular focus on the processes of inventory management at the retail store (both in the backroom and in the store area), shelf replenishment from the backroom and store area activities. The supply chain considered during the RLP3 consists of two distribution centres and three retail stores; the project targeted 145 fresh food items, belonging to the dairy and cold cuts categories. The real-time management of data relating to product history, through a specific dashboard, emerged as a promising tool to improve significantly some specific inefficiencies of the retail store, such as product traceability, amount of sales and démarque, out-of-stock occurrence, on-shelf availability and product freshness.

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims at proposing a new framework for the classification of RFID deployments in fashion and apparel retailing. The framework encompasses several different use cases (UCs) pursued by fashion and apparel retailers in the last decade, and updates, expands and goes beyond what has already been presented in the related literature. DESIGN, METHODOLOGY, APPROACH: We carried out a comprehensive literature review on RFID deployments in fashion and apparel retail. We searched different sources of information, that is, scientific papers, conferences and seminars proceedings, websites, magazines, newspapers etc., up to 160 papers that were carefully analysed and organised in a structured database. This data set also comprehends information from confidential projects. We analyse contents on the level of single RFID projects, that is, feasibility studies, proofs of concept, pilots or deployments. For each project, we determine what specific UCs were at stake. Eventually, the framework of all possible RFID UCs emerged from the analysis, and we set up a panel of industry partners to validate the framework using the Delphi method. FINDINGS: We structured the new framework along two levels: first, 6 categories were identified (i.e., level 1 use cases). Each category was then detailed, resulting in a total of 18 specific UCs (i.e., level 2 use cases). Each level 2 UC corresponds to a very specific objective pursued by an RFID implementation. For each UC, we propose a set of business metrics to evaluate deployment success as well as benefits achieved. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: From a practitioner’s perspective, the framework offers a comprehensive and well-structured overview of the cost- and the revenue-related potentials of RFID implementations in the industry. Researchers, on the other hand, may use the framework to identify opportunities for further research regarding RFID deployments in retailing. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Our framework is based on the current body of literature, and complements prior studies, which served as the starting point for our research.

Fashion and apparel retail have been driving the adoption of RFID for the last 10 years. This paper strives to present an overview of the current adoption of RFID technology in this sector and to improve the understanding of the evolution of use cases (UCs) over time by proposing a framework for the UC lifecycle. This tool allows us to classify UCs with six different labels (core, intermittent, trendy, vintage, innovative or ghost) according to three dimensions. We analysed and classified more than 220 scientific papers, magazine articles, white papers, web news stories and press releases as well as confidential information from system integrators dealing with UHF RFID projects in fashion and apparel retail in recent decades. We are not aware of any other study covering this issue, and the results we obtain represent an updated and thorough overview of UHF RFID adoption in the fashion industry. We believe that, by keeping the framework updated, we could create a barometer of RFID adoption in fashion and apparel retail while obtaining further insights on UC evolution over time.