• Amazon said yesterday that it is adding Radio-frequency identification (RFID) to its Just Walk Out technology used for clothing, softlines, fan gear, and more, which would seem to be appropriate in sports venues where the tech has been installed.
Jon Jenkins, Vice President, Just Walk Out technology, AWS Applications, aid in a. blog posting that "RFID technology has been around for decades and is typically used by stores to track and manage inventory. Given its prevalence in retail supply chains, we decided to figure out a way RFID could benefit customers in a checkout-free environment. And what we came up with is a new type of Just Walk Out technology store where customers can grab clothes, hats, shoes, and more—and simply walk out of the store through an exit gate (even while wearing their purchases) by tapping their credit or debit card, or hovering their palm over an Amazon One palm recognition device. No more checkout lines for clothes!"
The first installation is at Lumen Field, home of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.
• A website called UnLeash reports that French multinational retailer Carrefour is talking about a ‘digital-first’ plan to "upskill its 320,000-strong workforce."
Zoe Grandon, group HR transformation manager at the French retailer, says that "our people are our greatest asset, and nurturing their growth is not only a commitment, but a strategic imperative … Empowering our people with continuous learning ensures they remain agile." Agility, she says, drives efficiency and innovation, which results in better service for customers.
According to the story, Carrefour's HR team "launched a new digital upskilling initiative called ‘Tous digital!’' The goal is to "equip every Carrefour employee with foundational digital literacy and to foster a shared digital culture across the organization." And it is being communicated in what is described as "an immersive, gamified learning experience."
