UPM Raflatac and Partners to Exhibit Innovative RFID Solutions at NRF - Retail's BIG Show - in New York City
(UPM Raflatac, Fletcher, January 7, 2010) - UPM Raflatac and partners Nokia, Seeonic, 5Stat (a Store Kraft technology division) and Freedom Shopping will be presenting a wide array of RFID solutions at the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 99th Annual Convention and Expo in New York, New York, from January 10-13, 2010, a show that annually draws more than 17,000 retail professionals to learn about the industry's latest developments and technology innovations.
UPM Raflatac and its partners' solutions are designed to help retailers deliver a superior customer shopping and sales experience, while improving critical operational processes. The companies' RFID-enabled tools help retailers increase revenues by cross-selling and up-selling merchandise and maximizing product sales, while streamlining inventory management processes and protecting goods from shrinkage and theft. UPM Raflatac will be exhibiting at Booth #1643 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Visitors to the booth will have the opportunity to interact with the following demos:
o A Nokia RFID-enabled phone that uses UPM Raflatac near-field communication (NFC) RFID tags to connect users to diverse media to share pictures or read books electronically
o A golf shop demonstration that uses Seeonic's SightWare(TM) module and Seeniq(TM) software and UPM Raflatac's UHF ShortDipole and Web tags as electronic article surveillance (EAS) in order to improve inventory management, reducing out-of-stock and overstocked items, streamlining goods replenishment and reducing theft of item-level-tagged goods
o A sunglass display from 5Stat, as seen in N3L stores, which provides targeted sales support by "recognizing" sunglasses tagged with UPM Raflatac Satellite(TM) UHF RFID tags, offering similar options and accessories and allowing users to take and send pictures via e-mail to obtain a second opinion on merchandise they are considering purchasing
In addition, visitors will be able to test two other interactive RFID-enabled retail demos. 5Stat's smart fitting room enables users to obtain additional information on garments tagged with UPM Raflatac ShortDipole UHF RFID tags, search for coordinated accessories and access live sales assistance easily and quickly. Companies can leverage the smart fitting room to convert shopper interest into purchases, driving per-trip customer sales while strengthening product security.
In a bike shop demo, which features independent retailer Uptown Cycles'
merchandise, viewers will witness how Freedom Shopping's RFID-enabled FLiP inventory management system and UPM Raflatac Web and ShortDipole UHF RFID tags improve inventory visibility and accuracy. The system, which can be cost-effectively and quickly deployed by retailers of all sizes, enables merchants to streamline inventory management processes and eliminate the false positives associated with non-intelligent EAS systems, bringing a new level of rigor to loss prevention. Chris Sheehan, Co-owner and Manager of Uptown Cycles, will be on hand in the UPM Raflatac booth to describe how the FLiP system has removed cost and waste from critical operational and customer-facing processes at his Charlotte, North Carolina, store.
About UPM Raflatac
UPM Raflatac, part of UPM's Engineered Materials business group, is one of the world's leading suppliers of self-adhesive label materials and the world's number one producer of HF and UHF radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and inlays. UPM Raflatac has a global service network consisting of 14 factories on five continents and a broad network of sales offices and slitting and distribution terminals worldwide. UPM Raflatac employs 2,600 people and made sales of approximately USD 1.4 billion (EUR 1
billion) in 2008. Further information is available at www.upmrfid.com.
About Seeonic, Inc.
Seeonic(TM) is a leading provider of in-store Actionable Intelligence systems delivering real-time information driving sophisticated, decisive and effective action in the management and replenishment of store inventory, resulting in reducing stock-outs and increased revenues for manufacturers and retailers. Manufacturers, distributors and retailers gain competitive advantages through our combined SightWare(TM) and Seeniq(TM) business intelligence offering. Our intelligent data service features item-level accuracy and provides real-time visibility of your in-store inventory.
Utilizing the data gathered, real-time alerts are generated and predictive modeling algorithms are applied to initiate replenishment action to increase your return on promotion and store investments. This web accessible data originates with our SightWare(TM) system in the retail display and transmits information to our Seeniq(TM) data portal via a cellular uplink.
To be flexible and economical, Seeonic's system requires no upfront capital investment, no in-store IT infrastructure and is delivered on a monthly subscription basis. Seeonic is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.seeonic.com.
About 5Stat
As the elite technology division of Store Kraft, 5Stat leverages 90 years of knowledge and experience in the retail fixture industry to seamlessly integrate new technology - including digital displays, touch screens, and advanced RFID solutions--into any retail operation. 5Stat's comprehensive industry expertise brings retailers everything they need to create the most stylish, unique, functional, and technically advanced environments. From design to implementation, software to hardware, 5Stat offers complete retail solutions not available anywhere else. (Members EPC Global) For more information, visit www.5stat.com.
About Freedom Shopping
Freedom Shopping, Inc. is the recognized leader in developing RFID-enabled point-of-sale, security, and self-service solutions for the retail market.
The company's systems help companies, ranging from independent retailers to global merchants, use RFID technology to streamline operational and customer-facing processes, achieving quantifiable gains that translate into higher revenues and healthier margins. The company's latest release, the IntelliSuite Developer's Tools, enables retailers and their integration partners to deploy an RFID-powered intelligent EAS system that integrates easily and cost-effectively with existing POS systems. Freedom Shopping has been an RFID innovator since 2005, when its customers used its technology to open the nation's first 100-percent item-level-tagged stores. For more information, please visit www.freedomshopping.com.
About Uptown Cycles
Uptown Cycles, located in Charlotte, NC, is a premier regional bicycle retailer and training center carrying Giant, Canondale, Blue, and Electra bicycles and a wide range of accessories and apparel. In addition, Uptown Cycles provides a full-time, experienced coaching, sales, and mechanics staff on site, offering cycling enthusiasts and athletes the hands-on training and guidance they need to increase their enjoyment of - and expertise with - the sport. The store is conveniently located in downtown Charlotte near the Panthers stadium. For more information, please visit www.uptowncyclescharlotte.com.
For further information, please contact:
Mr Jan Svoboda,
Sales and Marketing Director,
Americas, RFID, UPM Raflatac
Tel. +1 805 312 4679
Ms Patricia Lähepelto,
Marketing Communications Manager,
UPM Raflatac
Tel. +1 828 279 6340
Mr Damien Balsan, Director,
Head of NFC Business Development Americas,
Nokia Industry Collaboration Markets
Tel. +1 781 993 3680
Mr Bill James,
Vice President,
Business Development,
Seeonic, Inc.
Tel. + 1 763 383 9360
Mr Larry Chandler,
Vice President,
5Stat
Tel. + 1 972 241 7071, ext. 224
Mr Rob Simmons,
Marketing Director,
Freedom Shopping
Tel. +1 828 994 0206, ext. 1001
Mr Chris Sheehan,
Co-owner and Manager,
Uptown Cycles
Tel. + 1 704 632 7440
