Walmart and Avery Dennison have partnered to introduce radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology across fresh food categories, including meat, bakery and deli products.
The companies have jointly developed and tested the system, which enables the use of RFID-enabled labels in fresh food sections to help store employees monitor inventory more effectively and maintain product availability.
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The initiative is designed to improve stock accuracy and reduce food waste.
It overcomes the industry challenge of using RFID in cold, high-moisture environments.
By providing digital use-by dates, the technology assists staff in rotating items properly and making more informed markdown decisions, helping to limit unsold goods.
Walmart US front end transformation vice-president Christyn Keef stated: “We believe technology should make things easier for both our associates and our customers.
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By GlobalData“By cutting down on manual work, we’re giving our associates more time to focus on what really matters — helping our customers.”
The move supports Walmart’s aim to cut its global operational food loss and waste intensity by 50% by 2030.
According to both firms, the rollout represents progress toward more efficient and sustainable grocery operations.
Avery Dennison plans to continue enhancing a connected food supply chain through its Optica solutions portfolio, which aims to provide greater visibility and transparency from source to store.
Avery Dennison identification solutions vice-president and general manager Julie Vargas added: “Supporting Walmart with first-to-market RFID innovation across multiple fresh food categories underscores our mutual commitment to people and the planet.
“By giving each item its own digital identity, associates instantly know the freshness of the foods they are handling, enabling better inventory management and resulting in less waste.
“This is a landmark moment for the industry, and chimes with our own personal milestone as Avery Dennison celebrates 90 years of helping to solve some of the world’s most complex challenges.”
Walmart runs more than 10,750 retail outlets and multiple e-commerce platforms in 19 countries, serving 270 million customers each week.
Avery Dennison, a materials science and digital identification company, employs 35,000 people in 50 countries.
In October 2025, Walmart partnered OpenAI to add AI shopping features, enabling customers and Sam’s Club members to make purchases directly through ChatGPT using its Instant Checkout option.
The partnership combines Walmart’s selection, low prices and delivery network with OpenAI’s tech so that users can plan meals, restock essentials or find products via chat while Walmart handles fulfilment.
