Primark is investing in RFID and planning an international rollout
The international fashion retailer Primark is investing in RFID and plans to roll out the technology gradually over the coming months. The company expects this to improve product availability and inventory management in its international markets. The goal is to reduce errors in store deliveries and ensure that popular products and sizes are more reliably available. Primark confirmed the investment on November 3, 2026, during the presentation of the annual results of its parent company, Associated British Foods (ABF).
When the Right Size Is in the Wrong Store
One store has too many summer items, while another is missing popular sizes. For Primark, such discrepancies in merchandise distribution pose a concrete business problem. The fashion retailer aims to manage its inventory more precisely in the future and is increasingly relying on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to do so.
Primark CEO Eoin Tonge announced additional investments in RFID during the annual results presentation of the parent company, Associated British Foods (ABF), on November 3, 2026. The technology is to be gradually introduced across the product range in the coming months.
Tonge sees this as an opportunity to boost sales in existing stores and achieve cost savings across all markets. RFID is part of a broader program through which the company aims to improve its supply chain, automation, and data utilization.
RFID is intended to reduce errors in store deliveries
ABF CEO George Weston made it clear during the subsequent Q&A session just how great the need for action is. He noted that the accuracy of merchandise delivery is currently insufficient. In some cases, products are delivered to stores where they are not needed, while customers elsewhere cannot find their desired size.
Weston cited another example: Summer collections are currently removed from stores nationwide in Spain at the same time, even though they might still be in demand for another three to four weeks in Mediterranean regions.
With a more accurate inventory overview and merchandise distribution that is more closely aligned with local demand, Primark aims to reduce such inefficiencies.
RFID is intended to help track the movement of merchandise more reliably and make inventory information more useful for planning.
With RFID-based inventory tracking, tagged garments can be identified wirelessly without having to visually scan each item individually. The collected identification data can be reconciled with inventory information from the merchandise management system. This makes it possible to identify discrepancies between registered and actually available items.
The company has not yet disclosed which technical methods Primark will use for this purpose.
More Accurate Inventory Data for Omnichannel Retail
The planned RFID expansion is also linked to Primark’s ongoing development of its digital sales channels.
The company already offers Click & Collect in the UK and is also preparing to launch its own home delivery service there. This increases the demands on reliable inventory management. Both brick-and-mortar stores and online orders must have access to inventory information that is as up-to-date and accurate as possible.
Tonge pointed out that more precise control of goods flows—including through the use of RFID—could improve inventory management.
The RFID investment is thus intended not only to support Primark with inventory management but also to lay the groundwork for more demand-driven merchandise distribution and more efficient processes in the interaction between stores and digital sales channels.
Gradual Rollout Planned in International Markets
Primark is one of Europe’s largest fashion retailers and operates more than 500 stores in 19 countries worldwide. In fiscal year 2026, the company generated retail sales of approximately 9.8 billion British pounds.
The RFID investment has an international focus. Tonge explicitly expects revenue and cost benefits in all markets where Primark operates. However, the company has not yet announced which countries, stores, and product groups will be equipped first.
Information regarding RFID transponders, readers, technology partners, and the amount of the investment is also not yet available.
What has been confirmed is the planned phased rollout over the coming months. Primark expects this to result in improved product availability, more precise inventory management, and opportunities to reduce operating costs.