Laird Connectivity Extends Global Partnership with Silicon Labs Announcing the Lyra 24 Series

Laird Connectivity announces a new addition to its Bluetooth portfolio through the extended development partnership with Silicon Labs. The upcoming Lyra 24 Series of flexible Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) modules, USB adapters, and development kits delivers significant feature and performance enhancements ideally suited for scalable, next generation Bluetooth LE development.

Based on Silicon Labs EFR32BG24 SoC, the Lyra 24 Series delivers on the silicon's key features including a powerful Cortex-M33 with 1,536 kB Flash and 256 k RAM, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, Secure Vault High, AI/ML hardware accelerator, high sensing ADCs and an extended industrial temperature rating.

From a software perspective, the Lyra 24 Series allows customers to choose from two firmware options for their application development, supporting either hosted or hostless operation. This includes Laird Connectivity's AT Command Set, developed from years of extensive Bluetooth LE experience and easily portable from original Lyra implementations. The extensible AT option provides a robust, simple, easy to use firmware for any customer regardless of their Bluetooth LE expertise or host MCU. Alternatively full SDK and stack access for C code development with integrated support for Lyra 24 devices is included in Silicon Labs' Simplicity Studio IDE.

The Lyra 24 Series is ideal for a broad range of battery-powered IoT device applications including professional lighting, asset tags and beacons, secure medical peripherals, and industrial IoT sensors. Modular FCC, ISED, EU, UKCA, MIC, KC and Bluetooth SIG approvals extend to OEM designs with no new testing, enabling faster time to market and reduced development risks.

Connected Logistics Market Zooms Towards Billion-Dollar Valuation

The Global Connected Logistics Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 32.30% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research®. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 33.51 Billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 415.98 Billion by the end of the forecast period.

The global connected logistics market is poised for significant growth in the coming years, driven by the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and the integration of advanced technologies. Connected logistics, which involve a network of IoT-enabled devices, offer a wide range of applications such as monitoring, warehouse management, transportation fleet management tracking, and more. These devices also play a crucial role in associated logistics operations including dispatching, financial transactions, order processing, and shipping. The market's connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Satellite, Zigbee, NFC, and Cellular.

A primary factor propelling the growth of the global connected logistics market is the rapid adoption of IoT-based devices worldwide. Moreover, the introduction of vehicles equipped with advanced technologies has further boosted market expansion. As companies strive for improved operational efficiency, the demand for connected logistics solutions has surged. Additionally, innovative advancements in mobile technologies are anticipated to contribute to higher revenues for the global connected logistics market.

According to Verified Market Research analysis, Sensor Nodes are expected to hold the most significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period. These nodes facilitate the smooth flow of processes by performing essential functions such as processing, gathering and communication of sensory information, and more. As businesses increasingly recognize the benefits of sensor nodes, their adoption is projected to soar.

Geographically, North America and the Asia Pacific region are set to dominate the connected logistics market. North America is expected to hold the largest market share due to its extensive customer base and a focus on organized logistics to reduce costs and save time. Simultaneously, the Asia Pacific region is witnessing a rapid increase in customers and a strong emphasis on organized logistics practices, further contributing to market growth.

Several key players are driving the development and growth of the connected logistics market. Prominent companies in this sector include Zebra Technologies SECURERF, SAP, THINGWORX, AT&T Inc., and Cisco Systems, Inc. These industry leaders are at the forefront of delivering innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of businesses.

In-depth analysis of key development strategies, market share, and market ranking analysis, financial statements, SWOT analysis, and other relevant metrics are crucial for businesses operating in the connected logistics market. By leveraging these insights, companies can make informed decisions and gain a competitive edge in this rapidly expanding industry.

RFID market size is expected to reach US$ 6 Bn by 2028.

The RFID tag market size is estimated to be US$ 2 Bn in 2022. It is further found in the publisher's study that the market size is expected to reach US$ 6 Bn by 2028.

Global Chipless Radio Frequency Identification Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 25% over the next six years (2022-2028) owing to high precision and advanced features for banking, healthcare, retail, and logistic industries.

Furthermore, chipless RFID technology offers a wide number of characteristics at a lower price than conventional RFIDs, such as exceptional read/write capabilities, automation, and the ability to individually identify each asset or item.

The growing need for high accuracy and advanced features in RFID technology for banking, healthcare, retail and logistic industries, among other verticals is expected to propel the growth of the chipless radio frequency identification market. Moreover, the low cost of Chipless RFID tags over traditional RFID tags further accelerates the market growth.

Manufacturing of a chipless RFID tag is relatively inexpensive as it does not require a silicon chip or batteries inside the tag for tracking of product which reduces the hassle of maintenance and prices of these tags.

Global 2D Barcode Market Size To Worth USD 12.77 Billion By 2032

The Global 2D Barcode Reader Market Size was valued at USD 6.37 billion in 2022 and the worldwide 2D barcode reader market size is expected to reach USD 12.77 billion by 2032, according to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting.

A 2D barcode reader is a device that can read and interpret two-dimensional barcodes, which can store much more data than traditional linear barcodes. The most common types of 2D barcodes are QR codes and data matrix codes, which can be found on products, packaging, and documents. 2D barcode readers use optical technology such as cameras or laser scanners to capture the barcode image, which is then decoded using software algorithms.

These readers are widely used in many industries, including retail, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing, to track inventory, manage workflows, and improve efficiency. With the increasing popularity of smartphones, many mobile devices now have built-in 2D barcode readers, making them accessible to a wider range of users.

Public Transport Victoria to introduce contactless payments

Passengers traveling by bus, tram, or train in Victoria, Australia will soon have the option to pay their fares using a physical or digital debit or credit card through an open loop contactless ticketing system. Public Transport Victoria (PTV) plans to upgrade its Myki ticketing system to allow tap-on/tap-off contactless payments with bank cards, with trials beginning in 2024. PTV will also progressively add features such as account-based ticketing to make it easier for Victorians to transition to more convenient ticket purchasing methods.

The new ticketing system will be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, technology provider Conduent will install validators on buses, trains, and trams and provide a contactless payment system for credit and debit cards (Eurocard, Mastercard, Visa, and Amex). Passengers will also be able to pay with existing Myki transit cards, debit and credit cards, and NFC-enabled devices such as smartphones and smartwatches with digital wallets.

Use of RFID in cold chain logistics expected to drive market growth

The cold chain market size is estimated to grow by USD 358.49 billion from 2022 to 2027. However, the growth momentum will progress at a CAGR of 17.43% during the forecast period.

The market is segmented by Application (Meat fish and seafood, Fruits vegetables and beverages, Dairy and frozen desserts, Bakery and confectionery, and Healthcare), Type (Refrigerated warehouse and Refrigerated transportation), and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The market share growth by the meat fish and seafood segment will be significant during the forecast period. It is the largest segment of the global cold chain and is expected to remain the largest segment throughout the forecast period. Products such as meat should be refrigerated or frozen after processing and before shipment in order to limit the growth of pathogens and reduce the risk of spoilage.

The use of RFID in cold chain logistics is one of the key factors driving the global cold chain market growth. Cold chain logistics transport millions of tons of perishable and temperature-sensitive products. The products are manufactured, stored, transported, or distributed around the world. They include vegetables, fruits, fish, flowers, meat, and dairy products as well as medical products such as blood, medicines, organs, vaccines, plasma, and tissues.

Know Labs Demonstrates Accuracy of Non-Invasive, Bio-RFID Technology with Proof-of-Principle Study

Know Labs, an emerging developer of non-invasive medical diagnostic technology, announced the results of a proof-of-principle study titled, “Detecting Unique Analyte-Specific Radio Frequency Spectral Responses in Liquid Solutions – Implications for Non-Invasive Physiologic Monitoring,” conducted in collaboration with Mayo Clinic. Know Labs will present the results of the study at the American Physiological Society (APS) Summit, which is being held on April 20-23 in Long Beach, California.

The study demonstrates the accuracy of Know Labs’ proprietary Bio-RFID sensor in quantifying different analytes in vitro, proving a 100% accuracy rate in these tests. The full study is currently undergoing the peer-review publishing process.

Know Labs’ technology platform, Bio-RFID, uses electromagnetic energy in the form of radio waves to non-invasively capture molecular signatures, which can be converted into physiologically meaningful information and insights. While the technology is proven to accurately measure several analytes inside and outside the body, the first application of this technology is aimed at non-invasive glucose monitoring.

Conducted at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN in March of 2021, the study included five experiments designed to demonstrate the ability of the Bio-RFID sensor to non-invasively quantify concentrations of solutions using a randomized double-blind trial design, as proxies for biochemical solutions. Solutions including water in isopropyl alcohol, sodium chloride in water, and commercial bleach in water were tested. Data were collected using the Bio-RFID sensor, which generates radio frequency signals and measures received power through an antenna array. The sensor sweeps across the 1500 Megahertz (MHz) - 3000 MHz range at 0.2 MHz intervals, collecting values at 7501 frequencies.

Perry Ellis Boosts Inventory Accuracy with RFID

Perry Ellis International, a men’s clothing company, recently implemented a radio frequency identification (RFID) technology-based solution in 40 of its stores across the United States. 

The goal of this implementation is to improve inventory visibility, on-shelf availability, and faster replenishment of sold goods. The solution includes handheld UHF RFID readers for store employees to scan merchandise tags and fixed readers at the point of sale (POS). The technology and software integration is provided by Mojix, a California-based technology firm.

After conducting extensive research and a small-scale rollout of fixed, real-time-locating RFID infrastructure, Perry Ellis decided to deploy the passive RFID solution in most of its stores. This decision was made after evaluating the cost versus benefits of overhead antennas that provided real-time location data but were too expensive to deploy at every site, according to Sandeep Baghel, the company’s VP of information systems.

Baghel states that the company has been on a decade-long journey with RFID technology, conducting proofs-of-concept and testing RFID tags on products and reader hardware to determine how it could improve inventory visibility.

Apple Pay goes live in Honduras and Panama

Apple Pay is now available in Honduras and Panama, supporting Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards from BAC Credomatic and Banco Promerica in both countries, as well as Banco Ficohsa in Honduras.

Apple has confirmed that these countries have been added to its list of supported territories, with cards from BAC Credomatic, Banco Ficohsa, and Promerica (operating as St Georges Bank in Panama) being supported at launch.

Additionally, Apple Pay was recently launched in El Salvador and Guatemala, as well as South Korea in March.

Airbiquity Wins 2023 IoT Evolution Industrial IoT Product of the Year Award

Airbiquity announced its OTAmatic Software Management Platform has received a 2023 IoT Evolution Industrial IoT Product of the Year Award honoring the best, most innovative products and solutions powering the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT).

Presented by IoT Evolution World, winners represent prominent players in the market who consistently demonstrate the advancement of technologies and are deemed verifiable leaders in the marketplace.

OTAmatic enables automakers and automotive suppliers to securely orchestrate and automate OTA connected vehicle software updates. These capabilities help mitigate automaker recall expenses, enable post-production feature enhancements, and address cybersecurity threats.

Enterprise Indoor Location-based Services Market size in the US to grow by USD 25,831.89 million from 2022 to 2027

The enterprise indoor location-based services market in the US size is set to grow by USD 25,831.89 million from 2022 to 2027 and register a CAGR of 47.45%, according to Technavio's latest market research report estimates. With a focus on identifying dominant industry influencers, Technavio's reports present a detailed study by way of synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Technavio offers an up-to-date analysis of the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. View Sample Report

Factors such as proximity marketing, improved indoor navigation, and asset tracking will offer immense growth opportunities. To leverage the current opportunities, market vendors must strengthen their foothold in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. The enterprise indoor location-based services market in the US is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period.

The market share growth by the RFID segment will be significant for overall market growth during the forecast period. RFID technology uses radio waves to wirelessly transmit important data such as serial numbers. Active RFID tags communicate on a variety of frequencies, which include 125 kHz, 13.56 MHz, 433 MHz, 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5 GHz. RFID is a new location-based technology to track the movement of objects and people, with inherent advantages including high accuracy and low maintenance costs. RFID can be broadly divided into passive RFID and active RFID. Hence, such factors drive segment growth during the forecast period.

Print label market size to grow by USD 11.29 billion from 2022 to 2027

The global print label market size is estimated to increase by USD 11.29 billion from 2022 to 2027. The market's growth momentum will progress at a CAGR of 4.58%. The growing demand from the organized retail sector is driving market growth. The emergence of supermarkets and hypermarkets has boosted the growth of the global market.

Retail sales in China have grown over the past few years. This trend is projected to continue during the forecast period owing to the increase in demand for organized retail due to government policies. With the rise in competition between different consumer brands, the importance of printed labels has increased to attract customers.

Organized retail stores use advanced technologies that require tag identifiers, which further increases the demand for printed labels.

Vendor landscape - The global print label market is fragmented, with the presence of several international and local players. A few prominent vendors that offer printed labels are 3M Co., Aditya Polymers, Ahlstrom Munksjo, Al Ghurair First LLC, Avery Dennison Corp., Barspell Technologies India Pvt. Ltd., Cimarron Label, Concept Labels and Packaging Co., Fuji Seal International Inc., Huhtamaki Oyj, JK Labels Pvt. Ltd., Label Aid Systems Inc., M. R. Labels Co., Mondi plc, Multi Color Corp., Ravenwood Packaging Ltd., Resource Label Group LLC, SATO Holdings Corp., Taylor Label, and The Label Printers LP and others.

The market is highly competitive, as vendors compete based on factors such as pricing, product differentiation, and product portfolios. Local vendors are offering innovative solutions at lower prices than international players, which is leading to price wars. Major vendors are focusing on expanding their geographical footprint by establishing manufacturing units, especially in emerging markets such as APAC.

Barcode Printer Market Growing At A Stable Rate Of 8 Percent Annually

From 2022 to 2030, the global barcode printer market is predicted to grow at a rate of 8.1%.

The sale of barcode printers has undergone a quick spike in recent years owing to their expanding utilization in many industrial verticals. The barcode printers are employed for individual identification and various events. It is projected that the widespread use of e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart and the abolition of human error will increase demand for thermal barcode printers.

Several significant elements drive a thorough analysis of the market. Due to their widespread use for printing barcodes and product labels, industrial barcode printers are quickly gaining ground, according to knowledgeable analysts at FMI. Their more sophisticated design than traditional printers allows for higher printing rates at less expensive prices. Additionally, this gives the manufacturers an advantage in the worldwide barcode printer market competition. Therefore, it is expected that the market share for barcode printers is likely to have a major rise in value over the forecast period.

RFID market expected to reach US$ 6 Bn by 2028

The "Global Chipless Radio Frequency Identification Market Size, Segments, Outlook, and Revenue Forecast 2022-2028 by Component Type, Frequency, Application, End-user and Region" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The market size is estimated to be US$ 2 Bn in 2022. It is further found in the publisher's study that the market size is expected to reach US$ 6 Bn by 2028.

Global Chipless Radio Frequency Identification Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 25% over the next six years (2022-2028) owing to high precision and advanced features for banking, healthcare, retail, and logistic industries.

Furthermore, chipless RFID technology offers a wide number of characteristics at a lower price than conventional RFIDs, such as exceptional read/write capabilities, automation, and the ability to individually identify each asset or item.

The growing need for high accuracy and advanced features in RFID technology for banking, healthcare, retail and logistic industries, among other verticals is expected to propel the growth of the chipless radio frequency identification market. Moreover, the low cost of Chipless RFID tags over traditional RFID tags further accelerates the market growth.

Manufacturing of a chipless RFID tag is relatively inexpensive as it does not require a silicon chip or batteries inside the tag for tracking of product which reduces the hassle of maintenance and prices of these tags.

According to a report published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Symposium, a silicon chip-based RFID tag costs US$ 0.10-0.05 per tag whereas a chipless RFID tag costs about US$ 0.01 per tag. It was observed that the cost of tagging 75 billion products using silicon chip-based RFID tags could cost around US$ 3.75 Bn whereas the cost of tagging the same amount of products with chipless RFID cost about US$ 0.75 Bn. Therefore, by using chipless RFID, product tagging can be 80% cheaper than chip-based RFID tags. The below chart depicts the cost comparison between chipless RFID and chip-based RFID tags.

Information breach is a major challenge faced by the end-users in the Global Chipless Radio Frequency Identification Market. Additionally, the issues concerning data storage and utilization from a database are expected to hinder market growth.

Despite all of its benefits, chipless radio frequency identification has an increased risk of a data breach as it lacks a locking system or security passcode. Owing to the risk of data breaches involving the use of medications and their composition, many businesses in the healthcare and other sectors avoid using chipless RFID tags for asset tracking. During the forecast period, this factor is expected to hamper the seamless growth of the market.

According to a report shared by the Identity Theft Resource Center, in 2022, the security breach incidents in the USA reached 1862 breaches in 2021, which is almost 68% more than that of 2020. These security breaches involved a significant number of chipless RFID-based situations.

The outburst of the COVID-19 pandemic harmed the Chipless Radio Frequency Identification Market. Supply chain disruption was among the significant issues which led to reduced component manufacturing, component shortages, shipping delays, and restrictions.

Additionally, in areas with high infection rates, operations had shut down entirely leading to largescale manufacturing interruptions across Europe and China which hindered the demand for chipless RFID. Restrictions on travel during the COVID-19 pandemic period resulted in a low deployment rate of RFID tags on vehicles for electronic toll collection. Moreover, low footfall in retail stores also reduced the need for product tagging on new stocks.

The Global Chipless Radio Frequency Identification Market is highly competitive with ~200 players which include globally diversified players, regional players as well as a large number of country-niche players. Large global players control the majority share of the market in terms of revenue, while regional players hold the second largest share.

The leading global companies such as Zebra Technologies Corporation, Avery Dennison Corporation, and Alien Technology highly focus on acquisition and partnership to increase their market presence. Additionally, these companies constantly develop their existing products and provide advanced chipless RFID solutions that can be used across the globe in various end-use applications.

Streaming Analytics Market size to grow by USD 23.6 billion from 2022 to 2027

The global streaming analytics market size is estimated to increase by USD 23.6 billion from 2022 to 2027. The market's growth momentum will be progressing at a CAGR of 28.89% during the forecast period.

The increasing adoption of IoT-based devices significantly drives market growth. The use of connected devices grows across the globe. This makes the task to manage, monitor, and maintain the data in an organization more difficult.

As IoT devices make managing, monitoring, and maintaining easier, M2M, and machine-to-human (M2H) communications are experiencing greater demand. IoT analytics uses information from a variety of sources, including sensors, barcodes, GPS, RFID, and barcode readers. These technologies support to effectively track and manage of physical assets across a wide range of industries.

For example, products with RFID tags are simple to follow throughout the supply chain. RFID also aids to manage and maintain inventory levels.

Researchers find vulnerabilities in products from three industrial cellular router vendors

Eleven vulnerabilities in the cloud-management platforms of three industrial cellular router vendors put operational technology (OT) networks at risk for remote code execution, even if the platform is not actively configured for cloud management, researchers have found.

The vulnerabilities are so severe that even though they affect devices from only three vendors — Sierra Wireless AirLink, Teltonika Networks RUT, and InHand Networks InRouter — they could impact thousands of industrial Internet of things (IIoT) devices and networks in a variety of sectors.

'Breaching of these devices can bypass all of the security layers in common deployments, as IIoT devices are commonly connected both to the Internet and the internal OT network,' the researchers tell Dark Reading. 'It also raises additional risk for propagation to additional sites through the built-in VPN.'

Checkpoint Systems set to showcase new solutions at NRF Protect 2023

Checkpoint Systems, one of the only vertically integrated RF/RFID solution providers for retail, will attend this year's NRF Protect at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas.

From June 5th to 7th 2023, Checkpoint will present their latest innovations to retail industry experts in loss prevention, asset protection, digital fraud, and cybersecurity to learn about new technologies and solutions to showcase how Checkpoint can enable retailers to better protect their merchandise, manage their inventory, and increase sales.

Checkpoint's team of experts will be on hand during the show to demonstrate its newest technologies and wide range of solutions developed for apparel, big box, grocery, DIY and craft retailers, as well as drug, discount and department stores.

Attendees will be able to explore Checkpoint's newest solutions during the event:

SFERO: A fully customizable modular RFID loss prevention system with high detection performance.
Alpha Edge: This new line of Alpha solutions features exclusive DeArm technology that requires deactivation before removal, adding an extra layer of security.
ItemOptix™ for Retail: With over 20 years of experience in RFID, Checkpoint has reimagined their RFID inventory management software making it easy to use, easy to deploy, and easy to adapt.

Global IoT in Healthcare: Need for More Personalized and Efficient Healthcare Delivery Drives Growth

The global IoT in healthcare market size was around USD 202.32 billion in 2022. The market growth is being driven by the increasing investment in the development of IoT medical devices. The market size is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 17.9% during the forecast period of 2023-2031. The market is anticipated to reach a value of USD 890.33 billion by 2031.

The IoT (Internet of Things) in healthcare market is a rapidly growing sector of the healthcare industry. IoT medical devices are connected medical devices that use the internet and other digital technologies to monitor patient health and transmit data to healthcare providers. The market for IoT in healthcare is driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, the need for more personalized and efficient healthcare delivery, and the demand for remote patient monitoring solutions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also accelerated the adoption of IoT in healthcare as healthcare providers increasingly rely on remote patient monitoring solutions to manage patient care and reduce the risk of infection. The use of IoT devices in healthcare has the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and increase access to healthcare services.

The global IoT in healthcare market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years with increasing investment in the development of IoT medical devices and the expansion of IoT infrastructure in healthcare facilities. The market is segmented by component, application, end-user, and geography, and includes a wide range of IoT devices such as wearables, medical sensors, smart pills, and connected medical equipment.

Despite the market's growth potential, the adoption of IoT in healthcare also faces challenges, including concerns over data security and privacy, regulatory challenges related to the use of IoT medical devices in healthcare, and the high cost of these devices. Nevertheless, the global IoT in healthcare market is expected to continue to grow, driven by the increasing demand for remote patient monitoring and personalized healthcare solutions.

IoT in Healthcare - Applications and Uses
The IoT (Internet of Things) in healthcare market is a rapidly growing sector of the healthcare industry. IoT medical devices are connected medical devices that use the internet and other digital technologies to monitor patient health and transmit data to healthcare providers. Here are some of the key applications and uses of IoT in healthcare:

Remote patient monitoring: IoT devices can be used to monitor patients' health remotely, allowing healthcare providers to detect any changes in health conditions and provide timely interventions
Chronic disease management: IoT devices can be used to manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. These devices can collect and transmit data about a patient's vital signs, medication adherence, and symptoms to healthcare providers in real-time
Telemedicine: IoT devices enable remote consultations and virtual visits between patients and healthcare providers, eliminating the need for in-person visits
Medication management: IoT devices can be used to track medication adherence, ensuring patients take their medication on time and in the correct dosage
Hospital and healthcare facility management: IoT devices can be used to manage hospital and healthcare facility operations, such as inventory management, patient flow, and staff scheduling
Clinical trials: IoT devices can be used to collect data for clinical trials, enabling researchers to monitor participants' health remotely and in real-time
The applications and uses of IoT in healthcare are vast and varied, and the market for these devices is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.

JADAK Launches Entire Series of ThingMagic M7e Modules, the Smallest UHF RFID Modules on the Market

JADAK, a business unit of Novanta Corporation, announces the release of the ThingMagic M7e Series featuring the new Impinj E family RAIN RFID reader chips.

The M7e Series features five modules, and are the smallest UHF RFID modules on the market, enabling customers to use the chip in extremely small applications such as handheld RFID scanners, wearable RFID devices, surgical hand scanners, mobile RFID printers and smart vending machines. JADAK will work with healthcare OEMs, retailers, and CPG customers to integrate the module into unique applications worldwide.

In addition to the small size, the modules boast ultra-low power consumption, a necessary requirement for mobile RFID printers, handheld or battery-operated devices used in the retail and inventory tracking spaces. And, each module is capable of varying read rates to accommodate a wide variety of application needs.

One of the most unique features of the M7e Series, as well as all other ThingMagic modules from JADAK is obtaining certification for select countries in advance. JADAK has extensive expertise in regulatory certification and works to obtain these certifications prior to launch, easing the burden on OEMs to obtain their own regulatory certification.

Additional benefits to customers include accuracy, speed, and the ability to track consumer behaviors over time, allowing for inventory changes to better match customer expectations. And the entire M7e Series is also supported by ThingMagic® Mercury API, a standardized API used across all ThingMagic® products.

Tageos Launches EOS-261 RAIN RFID Inlays

Tageos announced three new EOS-261 inlays, creating a new family of retail-specific products.

Sharing the powerful antenna design and ultra-compact footprint of the previously released EOS-261, all EOS-261 inlays and tags are based on the latest generation of RAIN RFID ICs from Impinj (M730m, M750) and NXP (UCODE 9, UCODE 9xe).

All four current members of the EOS-261 inlay family excel through versatility in retail applications by meeting all ARC specifications (W1-6) plus several further retail-related specs (F, G, N, O, Q, R, Y). Another advantage of the EOS-261 product family is its ultra-small footprint: With an antenna size of just 44 x 20 mm each, all EOS-261 variants are the market's most compact versatile inlays featuring the latest-generation ICs from NXP and Impinj.

Hana RFID Recognized as Impinj Gold Partner

Hana RFID, an IC-Independent RFID Inlay and Tire Tag Provider with global sales and manufacturing capability, has gained Gold Partner status from Impinj.

The Impinj Partner Network is a comprehensive program created for companies that design, build, and deploy IoT solutions. These partners represent a vast range of services, geographies, solutions, and domain expertise, delivering best-in-class RAIN RFID solutions.

Hana RFID – an IC-Independent RAIN RFID Inlay and Tire Tag Manufacturer - is a business unit of Hana Technologies Inc., and part of the HANA Microelectronics Group, with a combined manufacturing space of over 1,000,000 square feet and yearly revenue of $775M.

Walmart Executive Joins GS1 US Board of Governors

GS1 US has elected Bala Prasanna, vice president, store automation & innovation, Walmart, to join the GS1 US Board of Governors. Prasanna joins an accomplished cross-industry group of leaders who help guide the GS1 US strategy to drive greater adoption and use of GS1 Standards in the healthcare, apparel, general merchandise, retail grocery and foodservice sectors.

In his current role, Prasanna leads a team that supports automation and innovation for US Walmart stores. Having joined Walmart in 2000, Prasanna has worked for more than 20 years in information technology and more recently was vice president of pricing at Sam's Club. Prior to joining Walmart, he worked as a consultant, managing clients based in Europe. Prasanna earned a master of business degree from the University of Arkansas and an engineering degree in computer science from Ambedkar University, India.

The GS1 US Board of Governors comprises executives from leading organizations including: Amazon; The Coca-Cola Company; Dot Foods, Inc.; eBay, Inc.; Golden State Foods; Google; The J.M. Smucker Company; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; PepsiCo; The Procter & Gamble Company; Publix, Inc.; PVH Corp.; Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; Sysco Corporation; Topco Associates LLC; Wakefern Food Corp.; Walmart; and Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

Cannabis Retailer Labels Products 5x Faster With Automatic Labeling Solution From TEKLYNX and Chicago Coding Systems

p>TEKLYNX International, RFID and barcode label solution provider for the cannabis industry, released a case study highlighting how their advanced barcode label design software, CODESOFT, plus print-and-apply labeling systems helped a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer label cannabis products five times faster.

Previously, this company was purchasing pre-printed labels and manually labeling every cannabis product container one by one with a brand label, safety seal, strain label, drug analysis label, and a dispensary label. This resulted in an extremely slow labeling process against a rapidly growing cannabis market and demanding retail sales.

Today, more than 750,000 companies in over 170 countries trust TEKLYNX integrated barcode and RFID label design products and the people behind its solutions to make barcode labeling operations efficient, accurate, secure, and industry compliant.

SML and PervasID bring hands-free UHF RFID product visibility to the retail market

SML and PervasID have partnered to deliver a combination of PervasID’s passive RFID reader technology and SML’s Clarity enterprise software solutions to drive higher profits for retailers.

Both companies see a growing synergy between hands-free and handheld RFID solutions in stores and distribution centers.

'With the adoption of item-level RFID solutions rapidly growing and with a large portion of those retailers running on our Clarity application platform, we see the addition of the disruptive PervasID technology to our portfolio as being a key part of servicing our customers with enhanced returns on investments.'

Costa Rica to roll out RFID tags for vehicle registration

The government of Costa Rica has launched a project to develop an RFID tag that can be fitted in cars and other vehicles as a replacement for the right of circulation stickers that drivers are obliged to fix to their vehicle’s windscreen to prove they have paid their annual road tax.

The tag developed by the Digital Marchamo project will also support functionalities including contactless in-car toll and parking payments. It also will send information about individual vehicles to a centralized computer system, in turn, this information can be read remotely by special teams of the Traffic Police and “improve traffic systems, controllers and traffic lights”, the country’s Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) says.

The government plans to issue two public tenders inviting suppliers and developers to submit proposals for the provision of RFID technology.

Global Smart Shelves Market: Increasing Customer Personalization and Customization Drives Growth

Smart shelves refer to electronically connected shelves that keep track of inventory and provide product information, cross-selling recommendations, and marketing ideas using a combination of sensors, digital displays, and RFID tags. They also give businesses priceless insight into the preferences and purchasing habits of their customers. The smart shelves are used to automatically track inventory in retail stores.

The main components in smart shelves are hardware, software and services. Hardware refers to the tangible, touchable, physical parts of a computer system. The most crucial hardware elements are the motherboard, CPU, RAM memory, IO system, power supply, video display controller, bus, and hard drive. The major enterprise size are SMEs and large enterprise. The different applications include planogram management, inventory management, pricing management, content management and others that are used by departmental stores, supermarkets, specialty stores and other end-users.

The smart shelves market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides Smart shelves market statistics, including smart shelves industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with smart shelves market share, detailed Smart shelves market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the smart shelves industry. This smart shelf market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Technological advancement is a key trend gaining popularity in the smart shelf market. Major market players in the smart shelves market are focused on technological innovations to sustain their position in the market.

For instance, in October 2022, Unified Natural Foods Inc., a US-based natural and organic food company introduced a smart shelf tag initiative based on new technology Eli QR codes, which will allow consumers to obtain product information as they shop in stores. ELi QR Codes are an improved, more secure variation of a QR code that can be scanned to give customers more information about a product and rich digital content on their smartphones without the need for an app.

The ELi QR Code's content will be obtained from the provider and automatically filled in for each unique UPC to provide information on nutrition, allergens and promotional offers, customer reviews, traceability details, and brand stories which will leverage customers' shopping experience.

North America was the largest region in the smart shelves market in 2022. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the smart shelves market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the smart shelves market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

Internet of Things (IoT) In Retail Market to be Worth $297.44 Billion by 2030

The global internet of things in retail market size is expected to reach USD 297.44 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 28.4% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. This growth is attributed to the adoption and implementation of connected technologies, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Near-Field Communication (NFC), for enhanced shopping and payment experience.

Furthermore, with the reduced cost of IoT sensors and hardware, the demand for a seamless shopping experience is expected to fuel the adoption of IoT in the retail market. The growing acceptance of smart payments in the retail sector is also one of the major factors that will drive the industry's growth over the forecast period.

The services component segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 31.1% from 2023 to 2030 owing to the significant adoption of IoT in the retail sector, which has augmented the demand for infrastructure and application management services.

The NFC technology segment accounted for a significant revenue share of over 32% in 2022 owing to innovation in payment methods via mobile wallets.

The customer management application segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 33.1% from 2023 to 2030 as it enables retailers to deliver a customized, personalized, and engaging experience to their customers.

New Consumer Survey Signals Mobile Ordering And Payment In Bars And Restaurants Is Here To Stay

As the hospitality industry returns to pre-pandemic norms, Union—a data-driven hospitality engagement platform—has released a new third-party survey detailing how consumers are adapting to new technology within bars and restaurants, such as QR codes and mobile payment apps. 

Consumers have come around to QR codes, but wish they could order and pay through their mobile devices. When asked how they feel about QR codes to view menus at bars and restaurants, almost 44 percent of participants reported that they are okay with QR codes, but wish they could order with their mobile devices instead of a server. Not surprisingly, more than half of consumers surveyed said that when they see a QR code that allows them to order and pay, they use it.

More and more consumers are choosing to pay with apps instead of physical cards. When asked if they prefer to pay with apps such as Google Pay or Apple Pay versus physical credit cards, nearly 40 percent of respondents indicated that they prefer to pay with apps.

Guests are sick of waiting. The survey showed that 42 percent of consumers are waiting about 10 minutes to get their drinks at bars and restaurants. When asked what action they are most likely to take when waiting too long at a bar or restaurant to be served, the majority of respondents (38 percent) said they reduce the tip. The next action they take is leaving the venue (22 percent). The study also reported that, on average, consumers at bars and restaurants wait 10 minutes for the bill, which could be a contributing factor for guests preferring to quickly pay with a mobile device and avoid waiting for the check.

Apple Pay goes live in El Salvador and Guatemala

Apple Pay has launched in El Salvador and Guatemala with support for Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards issued by BAC Credomatic and Promerica banks in both countries as well as by Banco G&T and Banco Industrial in Guatemala.

Apple Pay went live in South Korea in March, in Kuwait in October 2022 and in Malaysia and Qatar in August the same year.

ProQure and Identiv Partner to Launch Innovative NFC Type 2 Tags for Large-Scale NFC Deployments

ProQure, a technology provider of IoT cloud management for physical objects, and Identiv have joined forces to release two proprietary type 2 NFC tags, PQ201 and PQ201s.

The PQ201/201s series is accessible via standard NDEF Readers without the need for dedicated apps, and is well-suited for applications in the specialty retail and consumer packaged goods industries, offering robust, cloud-centric, cost-effective and easy-to-deploy solutions for brand protection and consumer engagement.

The PQ201 NFC tag has been designed to tackle cost-related challenges that have previously made it difficult for businesses to deploy large-scale NFC projects. Thanks to its unique design, PQ201 offers a cost-effective solution without compromising on performance. Furthermore, the tag is tamper-proof, ensuring businesses can protect their assets and safeguard against fraud.

The PQ201s tag takes things one step further, featuring a unique tag-to-cloud security protocol that provides unrivaled levels of product authentication. This innovative approach to NFC security ensures that businesses can protect their brand identity and reputation, offering a groundbreaking level of security that is typically only found in premium and expensive NFC products.

The PQ201 and PQ201s tags are supported by the ProQure Cloud platform InSight, regarded as one of the most advanced consumer engagement platforms for physical objects.

RF Code Partners With Managed Service Provider To Help Organizations Manage Remote IT Edge Locations

RF Code, a pioneer of automated, real-time physical asset lifecycle management and environmental monitoring solutions, announced a partnership with Links Technology Solutions, Inc. to provide organizations with autonomous, uninterrupted visibility and observability of critical IT in 'lights out' locations at scale.

The Illinois-based Managed Service Provider (MSP) is now an officially licensed reseller of RF Code's Sentry device, the company's first Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) innovation for decentralized edge computing locations.

Designed to meet the needs of a broader, underserved edge market, Sentry is a simple, scalable, and affordable real-time IT asset and environmental monitoring solution. With just one Sentry console deployed in an edge environment, MSPs and enterprises of all sizes can see, hear, and secure any unmanned edge environment to prevent, mitigate, and remediate IT situations that threaten to disrupt normal business operations.

Available through direct sale and partner channels, Sentry is RF Code's SaaS innovation for decentralized edge computing locations.

Global Barcode Scanner Market Expected to Reach $11 Billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 7.25%

The global barcode scanner market was valued at USD 6.94 billion in 2021 and is slated to reach at USD 11.07 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 7.25% from 2022-2027.

Barcode scanner is also referred as barcode reader that captures and red information from barcode and transfers it to the connected computer. It automates the data collection process and reduces errors and expedites tasks like tracking inventory, monitoring point-of-sale transactions, and managing assets.

Increase in requirement of industries for remote solutions is the key driving factor which is expected to boost the global barcode scanner market growth. Furthermore, continuous technological advancements in public distribution system will positively contribute the market growth.

Moreover, in next few years most of the shops will be able to keep track of inventory without errors due to the effectiveness and the efficiency of operations offered by barcode scanners. A Barcode scanner reduces the time and gives a significant growth to the barcode scanner market. In addition to that, rise in number of supermarkets, molls, in various countries is also responsible for the market growth during this forecast period.

However, some restraints which are expected to be faced by the barcode scanner market include the high cost of barcode scanner, and inconvenience in moving the barcode scanner from one place to another. Also, lack of awareness towards the barcode scanner machine by some of the shopkeepers will affect the market growth.

Three main implications of COVID-19 on the world economy are their direct effects on supply and demand, supply chain disruption, and market disruption, as well as their financial effects on companies and financial markets.

The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in a variety of negative effects, including flight cancellations, travel bans, quarantines, restaurant chain closures, and restrictions on all indoor events where a state of emergency has been declared. These effects have significantly reduced the volatility of the barcode scanner market's growth, increased public panic, and created uncertainty about the future.

Socket Mobile Announces CIPURSE Support for SocketScan S550

Socket Mobile announced that the SocketScan S550 is compatible with the CIPURSE card standard.

CIPURSE is an open international security standard defined by the Open Standard for Public Transport (OSPT) Alliance to ensure transit system and payment interoperability. CIPURSE addresses the problem of single-vendor proprietary standards used in transport ticketing systems, which limits the competition among system component suppliers.

All CIPURSE-certified products offer secured, hardware-based storage of AES-128 keys enabling 3-pass mutual authentication and secured communication. Now, Socket Mobile's SocketScan S550 NFC Mobile Wallet Reader meets the ISO 14443 Type A and ISO 14443 Type B requirements under the CIPURSE standards.

Socket Mobile's S550 underwent a series of tests conducted by the OSPT Alliance Lab to ensure it meets the CIPURSE standard. Infineon, a member of the OSPT Alliance, is a world leader in providing security solutions that serve applications providing contactless technology. The company creates solutions for rising security demands surrounding smart card applications for mobile communication, payment, government identification, and transport ticketing. With the OSPT Alliance's testing and support, Socket Mobile's S550 has been certified under CIPURSE's open international security standards.

The SocketScan S550 combines the latest 13.56 MHz contactless technology with Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity and is built for easy and painless integration into apps. The S550 is NFC Forum, Apple VAS, Google Pay, and now CIPURSE certified and is the ideal reader for numerous loyalty programs, closed-loop payments, age verification via mobile driver's licenses (mDL), ticket verification systems, and countless other applications.  

Developer access to the S550 is through CaptureSDK, which allows app providers to offer any of Socket Mobile's data capture devices (barcode scanners or NFC reader/writers) interchangeably and give their end users the freedom to choose the best data reader for each customer's requirements. If your app already uses CaptureSDK, S550 can be utilized immediately.

Paddle-Type RFID Reader

AsReader has released several new products intended to deliver radio frequency identification (RFID) reading capability to challenging locations.

The company's Paddle-Type RFID reader (ASR-P252B) enables users to interrogate tags on high shelves or under loaded pallets, where tag reads can be most difficult. In addition, the company has released two pocket-sized readers that can be deployed on desktops on mounted on walls for mobile or temporary RFID read applications.

The Paddle-Type reader has been used in Japan and is now being released in the United States, followed by its commercial release in Europe in June, according to Paul Whitney, AsReader's chief operating officer. The company will demonstrate its products at RFID Journal LIVE! 2023, being held in Orlando, Fla., on May 9–11.

Lucintel Expects the Industrial IoT Market to Reach $403 Billion by 2027

According to a new market report published by Lucintel, The future of the industrial IoT market looks promising with opportunities in the manufacturing, transportation, energy, retail, healthcare, and other industries. The global industrial IoT market is expected to reach an estimated $403.3 billion by 2027 with a CAGR of 20% from 2021 to 2027. The major drivers for this market are increasing demand for automation in manufacturing industry, increasing adoption for IoT and AI, rising awareness for safety and security, and standardization of IPv6.

In this market, manufacturing will remain the largest end use industry during the forecast period due to predicative maintenance, demand for technology advancement and need for improved operation efficiency in various industries. Within industrial IoT market, wireless connectivity will remain the largest segment due to increasing usage of Wi-Fi, bluetooth, and cellular and satellite technologies.

Asia Pacific will remain the largest region over the forecast period, supported by growing urbanization, increasing internet penetration, and growing adoption of IoT in various industries in the region.

Emerging trends, which have a direct impact on the dynamics of the market, include growing adoption of artificial intelligence in IoT applications, edge computing, and blockchain technology in IoT. PTC, SAP, Cisco, General Electric, Siemens, IBM, Intel Corporation, Huawei, Microsoft are among the major industrial IoT companies.

Teamwork Commerce Launches RFID-Powered Self-Checkout

Teamwork Commerce has announced the launch of its RFID-Powered Self-Checkout solution, designed to simplify the checkout process for in-store customers. The technology allows customers to instantly scan all items and reduce checkout times, making in-store experiences hassle-free.

Long queues and wait times at checkout are one of the main reasons why customers leave stores or turn to online shopping. To counteract this, self-checkout was introduced as the first step in what has become a major technological revolution. In fact, according to Catalina, self-checkout accounts for 38% of transactions in today's retail environment.

Further to simplifying the checkout process for shoppers and enabling them to conduct transactions at their own pace, Teamwork Commerce's Self-Checkout technology provides several additional advantages to standard self-checkout solutions. With RFID technology automatically scanning all items, and capable of triggering alarms, retailers experience fewer losses and enhanced security at checkout.

With the solution in place, retailers can significantly enhance the number of transactions completed during operating hours, optimizing checkout times without having to individually scan all items. In-store associates are also afforded the time to focus on customer service, providing a high-quality experience rather than manually completing transactions.

Teamwork Commerce is constantly evolving to ensure it can provide its customers with cutting-edge technology to meet the needs of an ever-changing retail landscape. Teamwork Commerce's Self-Checkout technology takes the self-service checkout concept one step forward, with users able to add barcodes, coupons and revolutionary payment methods to enable a completely streamlined shopping experience for associates and customers alike.

RFID Improves Management of Anesthesia Trays

Standardizing anesthesia trays using radio- frequency identification (RFID) tags can reduce medication errors in the operating room while also providing robust OR data collection, according to Adam Trimble, PharmD, a clinical pharmacy manager at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, in Columbus.

An assessment of medications in anesthesia trays found variability across the 12-hospital system, which has more than 200 ORs.

The frequency of medication errors in ORs, which are often underreported, varies widely, but studies found that errors in this setting may occur as often as one in 20 medication administrations.

After a used RFID-tagged anesthesia tray is returned to the pharmacy, the kit is scanned and its status entered in the system.

U.S. RFID Tags Market would reach US$ 2953.61 Mn by 2030

The increasing implementation of RFID technology in the aerospace and health industries will drive the growth of the U.S. RFID Tags market during the forecast period. RFID technologies are being used by the majority of corporations, including Airbus, Boeing, and the US Department of Defense, which raises the market's demand.

RFID tags are used to improve supply chain visibility, tracking, maintenance, asset management and utilization, work-in-process tracking, and a variety of other manufacturing processes. Furthermore, automation in the healthcare industry has increased efficiency, reduced costs, and provided more reliable and accurate data. RFID tags are employed in the healthcare industry to track a patient's medical records, while they are used in tool booths in the transportation industry.

The adoption of RFID technology in the retail sector will also contribute to market growth for U.S. RFID tags. Businesses seeking increased visibility and speed into their supply chains are driving the retail sector's use of RIFD technology. Additionally, the sector is concentrated on operational and store effectiveness. The goods are delivered at the anticipated time and location thanks to a successful supply chain. Numerous benefits of RIFD include higher sales, lower inventory maintenance costs, and lower labor costs. Therefore, during the anticipated period, these elements are anticipated to fuel market growth for U.S. RFID tags.

Contactless payments drive 350% increase in EMV transactions at vending machines

More than half of all EMV card transactions at food and beverage vending machines in the USA and Canada in 2022 were contactless (51.69%) and contactless payments were the main driver for a 350% year-on-year growth in cashless vending machine micropayments made using EMV cards, according to a new study.

The study was conducted by digital payments technology provider Cantaloupe in partnership with Michigan State University and is based on data from 700,000 card readers in the USA and Canada.

Checkpoint Systems and Partner Tech team up to deliver next generation RFID SCO solution

Checkpoint Systems has joined forces with POS solutions manufacturer Partner Tech Europe to develop the next generation of Self-Service Checkouts (SCOs) to enhance customer convenience and in-store security.

Fashion RFID SCO features Checkpoint's RFID technology integrated into Partner Tech Europe's market-leading POS terminal. The solution will allow shoppers to place their garments directly in the kiosk and will automatically identify the RFID tags, determining whether the garment has been paid for or not.  The new solution will create a frictionless retail environment that enables customers to check out quickly, while providing exceptional loss prevention.

Fashion RFID SCO will also allow apparel retailers to tackle many of the challenges they currently face in self-service checkout areas. This includes detecting theft, the identification of multi-packs, multiple items, non-barcoded items, non-readable QR codes, and the inconvenience caused by technical issues.

The intelligent solution will deactivate soft tags when a payment has been verified – reducing false alarms and improving loss prevention. With the shopper simply placing items into an area on the checkout desk, barcode scanning issues are also instantly removed, speeding up the payment process and enhancing the customer's shopping experience.

The new RFID-based SCO will also provide a wealth of accurate data about individual purchases, that, when combined with inventory information, can help stores replenish merchandise quicker and reduce the number of out-of-stock scenarios. Studies have proven that implementing RFID and increasing stock accuracy levels to above 93% can in turn, increase sales by 9%,

SATO Unveils Turnkey NFC/HF RFID Encoding Solution with NiceLabel

SATO Holdings Corporation announced that its 4-inch print width CT4-LX desktop and CL4NX Plus industrial RFID printers can now natively encode and print 13.56MHz high frequency and near-field communication stickers and tags1 using HF and NFC data exchange format (NDEF2) commands with NiceLabel, the world standard in label design software.

This opens up innovative applications for inventory control, traceability, brand protection and improved consumer experience in apparel, manufacturing and health care, specifically in pharma, electronics and automotive.

Reports indicate that counterfeit drugs account for 10 percent of the global medicine market, and up to 30 percent in some countries. Every year 267,000 deaths are linked to falsified malarial medicines alone. “No prescription” websites pose a serious global health risk worldwide. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) found more than 11,000 websites operating illegally with 9 in 10 waiving prescription requirements and with the pandemic, even more sub-standard drugs are finding their way into the market. Implemented smartly, NFC can give consumers a way to see the entire journey of their medicines from factory to pharmacy.

For automotive parts and electronic component manufacturers, NFC is optimal for counterfeit protection. Operators across the supply chain can confirm authenticity of individually tagged parts with smart devices.

As they can withstand liquid, NFC tags are also a great way to manage tools and equipment stored outdoors, like construction sites. An operator can learn about the status of any item using a smartphone. NFC is also used to check the safety and performance of critical infrastructure like electric meters.

For apparel, black and grey market counterfeiting creates a huge negative financial impact for apparel and footwear brand owners that can negatively affect brand image. Authentication systems using embedded NFC tags accessible by smartphones can enable a user-first experience, directing consumers to information online at meaningful junctures.