Walmart, Avery Dennison roll out RFID technology to curb food waste

UK – Retail giant Walmart and materials science company Avery Dennison have launched an RFID technology solution for fresh food categories, including meat, bakery, and deli, marking a significant step toward more innovative inventory management and reduced food waste.

The initiative represents the first large-scale deployment of RFID in high-moisture, chilled environments, a challenge that has long hindered its adoption in fresh food retail.

The technology, jointly developed and tested by Walmart and Avery Dennison, uses sensor-enabled RFID labels that can withstand the cold and humidity common in meat cases and refrigerated displays.

The system allows store associates to track inventory more accurately and efficiently, replacing manual scanning with automated item-level identification.

This real-time visibility enables quicker restocking, better product rotation, and timely markdowns, key steps in preventing spoilage and ensuring fresher food for customers.

“We believe technology should make things easier for both our associates and our customers,” said Christyn Keef, vice president of front-end transformation at Walmart US.

“By cutting down on manual work, we’re giving our associates more time to focus on what really matters: helping our customers.”

With each product carrying a unique digital identity, associates can instantly access digital use-by dates and freshness data.

This innovation not only reduces unsold inventory but also enhances food safety and transparency across Walmart’s supply chain.

“Supporting Walmart with first-to-market RFID innovation across multiple fresh food categories underscores our mutual commitment to people and the planet,” added Julie Vargas, vice president and general manager of Avery Dennison Identification Solutions.

“By giving each item its own digital identity, we enable better inventory management and less waste.”

The collaboration directly supports Walmart’s sustainability target of halving global operational food loss and waste intensity by 2030.

It also reflects a broader retail trend toward smart labeling and data-driven logistics, as companies seek to enhance efficiency while meeting environmental goals.

Avery Dennison’s Optica portfolio, part of its identification solutions platform, underpins this deployment by providing enhanced visibility and traceability “from source to store.”

As retailers worldwide grapple with rising sustainability expectations, Walmart’s RFID rollout signals a significant leap toward a digitally connected and waste-conscious food supply chain, one that could redefine how fresh products are managed globally.

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