Keeping Count

The video discusses the connection between retail excellence and consumer experience, emphasizing that operational excellence encompasses the entire process from start to finish. It highlights the important differences between retail and operational excellence, suggesting that each has its own distinct focus and goals.

In this episode of the Inventory Edge podcast, listeners are introduced to Hilary New, a seasoned leader with a wealth of experience from prestigious brands like Burberry and Pandora. Beyond her professional achievements, Hilary is passionate about running and hiking, and she also coaches the Danish Dragon Abreast team. Her commitment to resilience, empowerment, and community healing shines through in her various roles.

In the first episode of Inventory Edge, Hilary New, a seasoned leader in retail, shares her insights on inventory management and the importance of transformational leadership. She discusses the challenges retailers face, including the need for clear objectives, effective planning, and the integration of technology to enhance operations. Hilary emphasizes the significance of building relationships and engaging employees, especially in a competitive market. She also highlights the role of data in driving operational efficiency and the necessity of aligning sustainability with profitability. As she reflects on her career journey, Hilary expresses her passion for retail and her commitment to helping organizations achieve excellence.

Join Luke Kosman, Global Director of RFID Solutions at Datascan, as he explains why the Auburn University RFID Lab is a critical partner in advancing inventory technology. In this short video, Luke breaks down what RFID really is, how it works, and clears up common misconceptions about the technology. Learn how the Auburn Lab plays a pivotal role in research, education, and cross-industry adoption of RFID—from retail to aviation and beyond. If you're looking to understand the value of serialization and the future of smart inventory tracking, this is the place to start.

Matthew Russell, Director of Retail at the Auburn RFID Lab, shares how the lab is leading the way in real-world RFID implementation, research, and education. With over 20 years of experience and a team of full-time staff and 100+ students, the lab supports retailers through every step of RFID deployment—from defining business requirements to ensuring supplier compliance. This video explores the lab’s impact on student development, advancements in machine learning, and the expanding use of RFID beyond apparel into general merchandise, home goods, and more. With inventory accuracy now a critical issue—especially post-COVID—Matthew highlights why RFID adoption is accelerating and how it's helping retailers reach 90%+ accuracy and improve supply chain sustainability.

In this expert Q&A, Luke Kosman (Global Director of RFID Solutions) and Lauren Antenucci (Senior Program Manager) of Datascan break down the real-world challenges and benefits of RFID implementation in retail. From avoiding common rollout mistakes to understanding the true ROI, they share firsthand insights from helping retailers navigate their RFID journeys. Learn why starting small is key, how source tagging impacts success, and how RFID boosts sales, improves labor efficiency, and strengthens loss prevention strategies. This is essential viewing for anyone exploring RFID as a long-term solution—not just a tech trend.

Take a look inside the Auburn University RFID Lab, where students aren’t just learning RFID—they’re living it. In this video, we follow the journey of a former student-turned-professional as he shares how the lab trains future leaders in RFID technology through hands-on experience, data analysis, and real-world problem-solving. From supplier compliance and inlay certification to inventory accuracy and time-saving analytics, Auburn’s student teams support every part of the RFID ecosystem. With a controlled test space simulating store environments, students and retailers alike explore the challenges—and major advantages—of RFID implementation in today’s supply chains.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at how Datascan and the Auburn RFID Lab are working together to bring RFID technology to life. This video highlights a hands-on simulation space where retailers can experience RFID in action—testing cycle counting and product search functionalities using Datascan’s OctoPlus platform and handheld devices. Learn how these foundational use cases support real-world implementation, improve efficiency, and drive smarter decision-making. Whether it’s finding the right size faster or optimizing labor and inventory processes, this experience shows just how accessible and impactful RFID can be across retail and supply chain environments.

RFID is more than a buzzword—it's becoming essential for retail survival. In this video, we explore why research and innovation around RFID technology matter more than ever. Learn how COVID-19 accelerated the demand for inventory visibility, how RFID is giving retailers insight into shrink for the first time, and why packaging innovation is opening up new product categories for tagging. You'll also hear how regular RFID cycle counts support real-time inventory accuracy, prevent online order cancellations, and drive measurable ROI through better margins, labor efficiency, and sales lift. If you're curious about the future of inventory management, this is your deep dive into why RFID adoption is accelerating across retail and supply chain operations.