Walmart is deploying a high-tech fresh foods solution

Walmart and Avery Dennison have jointly developed a new radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensor technology designed for use in high-moisture, low-temperature environments, including meat, bakery and deli departments. The partnership was announced on Wednesday.

The technology is aimed at improving inventory tracking and reducing food waste in areas of the store where RFID has historically faced technical limitations.

The companies collaborated to address the challenges of using RFID in fresh food categories, particularly in environments such as refrigerated meat cases. The result is a sensor-enabled RFID label that can withstand those conditions, allowing Walmart to implement item-level tracking in sections where it previously wasn’t possible.

According to the companies, the RFID system enables faster and more accurate inventory management by store associates. The use of digital use-by date data is expected to support more efficient product rotation and markdown processes, with the goal of minimizing unsold or expired food.

Walmart has stated that the initiative aligns with its broader sustainability objectives, which include reducing global operational food loss and waste intensity by 50% by 2030.

Avery Dennison, which specializes in materials science and digital identification solutions, indicated that the deployment is part of its ongoing efforts to support transparency and visibility in the food supply chain.

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The RFID solution is part of Avery Dennison’s Optica portfolio, which the company says supports connected supply chain operations from production through retail.

Earlier this month Walmart said it plans to deploy 90 million Bluetooth sensors across its inventory by the end of next year. It’s a massive rollout of supply chain management tech made possible via a partnership with tech firm Wiliot.