Zliide, an Upgrade for RFID?

With the rise of E-commerce business, online fashion retailers are taking over the market shares from brick-and-mortar stores. To keep up with the competition, the stores use every measurement to offer customers a better shopping experience. Going Cashierless is usually one of the first steps they take.

Many retailers went Cashierless by offering self-checkout counters. With the utilization of RFID tags, shoppers can now check out multiple items in one scan at a specially designed counter. Since the pandemic, retailers have been struggling with the workforce. As a result, self-checkout becomes a better alternative for the customers than waiting in line for the cashier. It is also considered a more hygienic choice.

While we are still enjoying the benefits from RFID tags, a new tag system appears on the market and brings the checkout to the next level. It goes by the name Zliide.

What is Zliide?

Zliide is a Danish company founded in 2016. It developed a smart tag with Bluetooth technology. Still remember these grey security tags? Zliide’s smart tag looks just like that. But in black color, with a tiny blue button on it. The tags as well are attached to every single piece of clothing. They store information about the merchandise and can be connected to the Zliide App via Bluetooth.

How does it work?

When the customer clicks the button on the tag, he will gain access to a digital version of the item in the app. After the customer confirms the payment in the app, the tag unlocks on the spot. Customers can easily remove the tag, drop it in a nearby collection box, and leave the store. That’s it. There is no more waiting in line for the cashier.

Why is Zliide different from RFID?

RFID helps fashion retail to speed up the self-checkout process. So do Zliide intelligent tags. Through RFID, the retailers can control real-time inventory and sales data. Zliide tags offer the same functions. So what is actually the difference?

The difference is Zliide has an app. Via that, end customers can virtually access any item on their phones. All the information generated from RFID is only available to the retailers for store management. However, through the Zliide App, the customers have access to all the information about product description, price, materials, inventories, and more. It does not only do the job of a cashier but also does part of the sales job.

In-store interactions

All the information being revealed through the app increases customer interaction times in store. Customers are able to discover products even without a salesperson around. For example, they can see videos of a person wearing the clothes on the app. More information means more time spent in the shop. More time in the shop leads to more potential sales.

Instant Omnichannel

To make Zliide tags work, fashion retailers need to input all the product information into the system. Therefore, in the Zliide App, there will be an instant online shop for the brand. Without building their own online shop, the brands can immediately make the first steps on their Omnichannel set-up. Shoppers can order the products directly from Zliide’s platform.

3-hour delivery

Zliide offers 3-hour delivery directly from physical stores to home in some cities. This service is currently available in the Nordics and will soon be expanded to the UK and Netherlands. Otherwise, 1 to 3 days standard delivery is always an option.

After groceries, more and more fashion retailers are joining the cashierless model. Even though they are not fully automated, self-check-out is always the first step to take. There is no doubt that  Zliide’s tag and App combination offers both retailers and customers more information and interactions. However, will it take over RFID, which is currently still widely used by the industry, as the first choice for going Cashierless? There is no guarantee for that. But surely there will be more fresh competition joining in the future.