Abstract: A technique for inventory monitoring using complementary modes for item identification includes; storing items in known locations within a defined area; tracking a user in the defined area; detecting that the user has removed an item from its known storage location; ascertaining a first identity of the item using first means; scanning the item to obtain a second identity of the item using second means different than the first means; correlating the results from detecting, ascertaining and scanning to determine if there is a discrepancy, and providing an alert if there is a discrepancy. If there is no discrepancy, checkout can proceed.