Checkpoint says RFID in 2026 starts at origin with labels for full visibility
RFID has moved beyond a store only tool for inventory accuracy. By 2026 it is becoming a foundational system for operational control and strategic decision making across the supply chain. Retailers that have proven value with in store RFID are now shifting focus upstream, asking suppliers to tag products in factories and logistics centers so item level identity begins at the source.
This shift reflects a simple truth. Many inventory gaps found in stores do not start on the sales floor. They are inherited from earlier stages such as packing errors, shipping deviations, incorrect documentation, and loss in transit. With RFID applied at origin, these issues become visible sooner and can be investigated while the evidence is fresh.
From store results to origin accountability
In store RFID delivered rapid gains for retailers, including more accurate stock counts, faster replenishment, improved availability, and stronger omnichannel execution. As these benefits became standard, retailers also gained clearer insight into where discrepancies begin. Increasingly, the biggest inefficiencies happen before products arrive at the retail network.
Origin tagging creates a reliable starting point for traceability. Each product receives a standardized digital identity at manufacture. Every scan at consolidation points, ports, distribution hubs, warehouses, and retailer facilities then confirms presence and supports verification across the journey.
The RFID label becomes the traceability cornerstone
As RFID moves upstream, the label becomes more than a counting tool. Applied in the factory, it links the first record of the product to its true origin and supports consistent verification through every subsequent checkpoint.
This improves operational transparency in three key ways.
Authenticity and identity by tying each item to an origin record
Shipment verification by confirming contents without relying only on manual documents
Exception detection by identifying deviations earlier in the flow
With more frequent and earlier validation, losses in transit can be investigated immediately rather than absorbed as shrink. Suppliers and logistics partners also gain clearer responsibility for inventory integrity because the data makes deviations visible and traceable.
End to end visibility is the defining 2026 trend
Retailers want complete and timely insight into product movement, location, and whether physical goods match digital expectations. With tagging at origin, inventory shifts from a static number to a continuously verified flow.
Manufacturers can validate output with precision. Logistics partners can confirm inbound and outbound accuracy. Retailers can reduce lead times, minimize errors, and respond faster to disruptions. Just as importantly, shared item level data strengthens collaboration between retailers and suppliers, improving planning, forecasting, and reducing operational friction.
Innovation begins with the label
In 2026, RFID success increasingly starts where the product starts. By anchoring identity at origin, the industry unlocks stronger traceability, earlier detection of discrepancies, and a more resilient supply chain.
Retailers, brand owners, and supply chain leaders who want to expand RFID from in store use to origin tagging can contact Checkpoint to discuss labeling strategies, implementation models, and how to build end to end visibility across manufacturing and logistics.
End to end visibility begins at the point of origin. For additional information and interview requests, contact Myriam Kestel, RFID Business Development Manager at Checkpoint Systems.
About Checkpoint
Checkpoint provides RFID enabled solutions designed to improve product visibility and inventory integrity from origin through distribution to retail operations.