Background
New shopping methods are gradually penetrating into people’s daily lives, transforming the way we shop and interact with retail environments. At Chainway, we are proud to be part of this retail revolution. Our recent collaboration with Invento RFID and AiFi at a California NBA stadium exemplifies how technology can reshape the retail experience. By combining RFID technology with AI-powered spatial intelligence, we’ve helped create a seamless, frictionless shopping experience for fans, where purchases are automatically processed as customers walk out of the store—without the need for traditional checkouts.
Challenges
1. Long Checkout Lines: Traditional checkout systems caused delays, especially during high-traffic events, leading to long wait times for fans eager to get back to the game.
2. Customer Experience: Fans were looking for a faster, more convenient shopping experience that matched the fast-paced environment of a live event.
3. Loss Prevention: With apparel and other merchandise being displayed throughout the store, it was crucial to accurately track what was taken and ensure products were properly purchased, preventing theft and errors.
4. Inventory Management: Tracking inventory as merchandise moved from the warehouse to store shelves was complex. Rapid inventory turnover in high-traffic environments like NBA venues often led to stockouts, as products were consumed faster than they could be restocked. Traditional systems struggled to provide real-time updates, resulting in delays and manual interventions that increased the risk of errors and missed sales opportunities.
Solutions
• AI-Powered Spatial Intelligence: AiFi’s AI technology used cameras to track customer movements and the products they interacted with. By pairing spatial data with RFID information, the system could automatically detect which products customers selected and add them to a virtual cart.
• Frictionless Checkout: First a fan of the NBA team, using the system, would download the team store’s app. They set up a profile with their face ID as well as payment information. That data is then stored in the AiFi payment system. Customers simply entered the store, where facial recognition identified them, and the door opened automatically. As they shopped, the system tracked their selections using both RFID and AI-powered cameras. When they walked out of the store, the RFID system confirmed the items, and payment was processed automatically—no need to pull out a wallet or phone.
• Real-Time Inventory Management: The system integrated with the stadium’s ERP software, ensuring that inventory levels were always accurate. Chainway’s handheld RFID readers were used to scan and manage stock both in the store and the warehouse, triggering automatic replenishment orders when products were running low.
Effects
• Faster Transactions: With the elimination of traditional checkouts, fans could shop quickly and get back to the event, reducing wait times and improving the overall experience.
• Enhanced Fan Experience: The combination of facial recognition and automatic payment created a seamless, personalized shopping experience. Fans no longer had to worry about carrying a phone or wallet—everything was handled by the system.
• Improved Inventory Accuracy: The real-time RFID system allowed for precise inventory tracking, reducing errors, preventing stockouts, and ensuring that the stores were always stocked with popular items.
• Loss Prevention: By integrating RFID and AI technology, the system ensured that only the items customers intended to purchase were processed, improving security and preventing theft.
• Operational Efficiency: The integration with the ERP system allowed the stadium to manage inventory more effectively, ensuring products were always available and keeping the store stocked and ready for high-demand events.
This project at the NBA stadium showcases the powerful combination of RFID and spatial intelligence to create a modern, frictionless retail experience. At Chainway, we’re proud to be part of this innovative solution, providing the hardware and expertise that help brands enhance both their operational efficiency and customer experience.
PDA configuration
P/N: C72 RFID Reader
Function: UHF RFID, 2D, WIFI, BT
New shopping methods are gradually penetrating into people’s daily lives, transforming the way we shop and interact with retail environments. At Chainway, we are proud to be part of this retail revolution. Our recent collaboration with Invento RFID and AiFi at a California NBA stadium exemplifies how technology can reshape the retail experience. By combining RFID technology with AI-powered spatial intelligence, we’ve helped create a seamless, frictionless shopping experience for fans, where purchases are automatically processed as customers walk out of the store—without the need for traditional checkouts.
Challenges
1. Long Checkout Lines: Traditional checkout systems caused delays, especially during high-traffic events, leading to long wait times for fans eager to get back to the game.
2. Customer Experience: Fans were looking for a faster, more convenient shopping experience that matched the fast-paced environment of a live event.
3. Loss Prevention: With apparel and other merchandise being displayed throughout the store, it was crucial to accurately track what was taken and ensure products were properly purchased, preventing theft and errors.
4. Inventory Management: Tracking inventory as merchandise moved from the warehouse to store shelves was complex. Rapid inventory turnover in high-traffic environments like NBA venues often led to stockouts, as products were consumed faster than they could be restocked. Traditional systems struggled to provide real-time updates, resulting in delays and manual interventions that increased the risk of errors and missed sales opportunities.
Solutions
• AI-Powered Spatial Intelligence: AiFi’s AI technology used cameras to track customer movements and the products they interacted with. By pairing spatial data with RFID information, the system could automatically detect which products customers selected and add them to a virtual cart.
• Frictionless Checkout: First a fan of the NBA team, using the system, would download the team store’s app. They set up a profile with their face ID as well as payment information. That data is then stored in the AiFi payment system. Customers simply entered the store, where facial recognition identified them, and the door opened automatically. As they shopped, the system tracked their selections using both RFID and AI-powered cameras. When they walked out of the store, the RFID system confirmed the items, and payment was processed automatically—no need to pull out a wallet or phone.
• Real-Time Inventory Management: The system integrated with the stadium’s ERP software, ensuring that inventory levels were always accurate. Chainway’s handheld RFID readers were used to scan and manage stock both in the store and the warehouse, triggering automatic replenishment orders when products were running low.
Effects
• Faster Transactions: With the elimination of traditional checkouts, fans could shop quickly and get back to the event, reducing wait times and improving the overall experience.
• Enhanced Fan Experience: The combination of facial recognition and automatic payment created a seamless, personalized shopping experience. Fans no longer had to worry about carrying a phone or wallet—everything was handled by the system.
• Improved Inventory Accuracy: The real-time RFID system allowed for precise inventory tracking, reducing errors, preventing stockouts, and ensuring that the stores were always stocked with popular items.
• Loss Prevention: By integrating RFID and AI technology, the system ensured that only the items customers intended to purchase were processed, improving security and preventing theft.
• Operational Efficiency: The integration with the ERP system allowed the stadium to manage inventory more effectively, ensuring products were always available and keeping the store stocked and ready for high-demand events.
This project at the NBA stadium showcases the powerful combination of RFID and spatial intelligence to create a modern, frictionless retail experience. At Chainway, we’re proud to be part of this innovative solution, providing the hardware and expertise that help brands enhance both their operational efficiency and customer experience.
PDA configuration
P/N: C72 RFID Reader
Function: UHF RFID, 2D, WIFI, BT
