Amazon Introduces RFID Technology to Cashierless Tech for Streamlined Apparel Shopping Experience
Taking Retail Tech to the Next Level: Amazon's New RFID Integration
Amazon is taking another leap in its retail tech advancements by incorporating radio-frequency identification (RFID) into its popular 'Just Walk Out' technology. The tech giant has partnered with Avery Dennison, an RFID sensor and digital identification technology provider, for this integration.
Customers can now shop for a wider variety of items, such as apparel, fan gear, shoes, and soft goods, by simply taking their chosen items (each tagged with a unique RFID tag) and paying as they exit through a gate using their debit or credit cards or by scanning their hand at an Amazon One terminal.
This new RFID capability is already available in over 70 Amazon stores and 85 third-party retailers that already use the Just Walk Out technology. Amazon did a trial run of this technology at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, and, impressed with the test results, extended it to Lumen Field, the home of the Seattle Seahawks.
Todd Humphrey, senior vice president of digital innovation and fan experience for the National Hockey League’s Seattle Kraken, shared, "At Climate Pledge Arena, we're continuously looking to innovate and improve the in-arena experience for our fans. Amazon's Just Walk Out technology with RFID allows for a fast and easy way for our fans to grab their favorite Kraken gear and get back to the game - and our fans loved the experience."
Besides Amazon, several other organizations and businesses have adopted the Just Walk Out technology in recent years. For instance, Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, and travel retailer Hudson have also implemented this technology. Amazon has even added this grab-and-go system to its Fresh grocery store concept and a Whole Foods Market in Washington, D.C.
Despite the expansion of Just Walk Out, Amazon has recently decided to shut down its 4-Star, Books, and Pop-Up stores, focusing instead on Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, Amazon Go, Amazon Style stores, and its Just Walk Out technology. As Amazon adds RFID technology to its Just Walk Out system, more retailers are leveraging identification tools to track inventory and reduce shrink. For example, Uniqlo has started using RFID tools for its self-checkout services and supply chain management as it expands globally.
While other retailers have adopted RFID technology for frictionless shopping experiences, Amazon's Just Walk Out technology primarily relies on computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning for item tracking, rather than RFID.
Sources: 1. "Just Walk Out technology: how Amazon's supermarket revolution works." (2018). BBC News. www.bbc.com/news/technology-44345080 2. "BGSU Campus Stores Launch Amazon Just Walk Out to Extend Operating Hours." (2025). Bowling Green State University News Center. blog.bgsu.edu/university-news/bgсу-campus-stores-launch-amazon-just-walk-out-to-extend-operating-hours 3. "Hudson's Nonstop store to use cashierless Amazon technology." (2025). ABC News. abcnews.go.com/Travel/wireStory/hudsons-nonstop-store-cashierless-amazon-technology-83099848 4. "Amazon enters the grocery store business with 'Amazon Go.' Here's how it works." (2018). CNN Business. www.cnn.com/2018/01/22/tech/amazon-go-grocery-store/index.html 5. "South Broadway Cenex convenience store in Minot uses Amazon Just Walk Out technology for contactless payment." (2024). KVRR News. www.kvrr.com/2024/08/26/south-broadway-cenex-convenience-store-minot-uses-amazon-just-walk-out-technology-contactless-payment
- Amazon, with technology partners like Avery Dennison, is expanding its Just Walk Out technology to include RFID for faster, easier shopping in various retail settings, such as apparel stores, stadiums, and even university bookstores.
- Following Amazon's lead, companies across industries, including travel retailer Hudson, have adopted Just Walk Out technology to streamline the shopping experience and manage inventory more efficiently.
- Beyond Amazon, various businesses have implemented RFID technology for self-checkout services and supply chain management, as seen in Uniqlo's global expansion.
- The expansion of Just Walk Out technology, which relies on computer vision and AI for item tracking, has prompted other retailers to leverage RFID for similar purposes, with the goal of reducing shrink and improving inventory management.
- industries like finance, business, and retail are paying increased attention to the adoption of technology, from integrated RFID systems to AI and computer vision, to stay competitive and improve customer experiences.
- As Amazon continues to refine its Just Walk Out technology with RFID and AI, we can expect to see even more retailers adopting these solutions to revolutionize the shopping experience.
- By embracing technology advancements like RFID integration and AI-driven shopping solutions, the retail industry can play an essential role in addressing climate change and reduce carbon footprint through improved inventory management and shrink reduction.
