Abstract: Described are methods and systems for estimating an optimal product pack size and on-shelf customer facing quantity of the products in view of shelf capacity limitations of the shelves at a given retail store/product distribution center, with the aim of maximizing the total net profit of the store/distribution center. The systems and methods obtain inventory-related, retail facility product storage capacity-related, and product storage/handling-related data from one or more databases and estimate the net profit of multiple variations of pack size and customer-facing quantity for each product. Then, these results are processed via various inventory optimization algorithms obtained from one or more databases to estimate the pack size and customer-facing quantity for each of the products to be stocked at the retail facility that would be estimated to result in maximum net profit for the retail facility within a given period of time.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method and apparatus involve: providing a plurality of products that are each associated with a respective radio frequency identification tag; using radio frequency identification technology to automatically identify specific products in a group of products collected by a shopper; and evaluating whether or not to obtain payment from the shopper based on the radio frequency identification of products in the group. Based on the result of the evaluation, either payment is obtained from the shopper on the basis of the radio frequency identification of products in the group, or else the products in the group are audited, and then payment is obtained on the basis of the products identified by the audit.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatus and methods are provided herein useful to improve store management by reducing the instances that may cause lost sales or result in a customer assistance inquiry. The solutions disclosed herein allow users to start with sales frequency to identify potential alerts or anomalies and then optionally allows for further customization and/or prioritization regarding the potential anomalies in a way that will address specific needs or concerns of a particular system user and allows for the system to be tuned or changed over time as desired.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method and apparatus involve: providing a plurality of products that are each associated with a respective radio frequency identification tag; using radio frequency identification technology to automatically identify specific products in a group of products collected by a shopper; and evaluating whether or not to obtain payment from the shopper based on the radio frequency identification of products in the group. Based on the result of the evaluation, either payment is obtained from the shopper on the basis of the radio frequency identification of products in the group, or else the products in the group are audited, and then payment is obtained on the basis of the products identified by the audit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve: providing a plurality of products that are each associated with a respective radio frequency identification tag; using radio frequency identification technology to automatically identify specific products in a group of products collected by a shopper; and evaluating whether or not to obtain payment from the shopper based on the radio frequency identification of products in the group. Based on the result of the evaluation, either payment is obtained from the shopper on the basis of the radio frequency identification of products in the group, or else the products in the group are audited, and then payment is obtained on the basis of the products identified by the audit.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatus and methods are provided herein useful to improve store management by reducing the instances that may cause lost sales or result in a customer assistance inquiry. The solutions disclosed herein allow users to start with sales frequency to identify potential alerts or anomalies and then optionally allows for further customization and/or prioritization regarding the potential anomalies in a way that will address specific needs or concerns of a particular system user and allows for the system to be tuned or changed over time as desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve: providing a plurality of products that are each associated with a respective radio frequency identification tag; using radio frequency identification technology to automatically identify specific products in a group of products collected by a shopper; and evaluating whether or not to obtain payment from the shopper based on the radio frequency identification of products in the group. Based on the result of the evaluation, either payment is obtained from the shopper on the basis of the radio frequency identification of products in the group, or else the products in the group are audited, and then payment is obtained on the basis of the products identified by the audit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve: providing a plurality of products that are each associated with a respective radio frequency identification tag; using radio frequency identification technology to automatically identify specific products in a group of products collected by a shopper; and evaluating whether or not to obtain payment from the shopper based on the radio frequency identification of products in the group. Based on the result of the evaluation, either payment is obtained from the shopper on the basis of the radio frequency identification of products in the group, or else the products in the group are audited, and then payment is obtained on the basis of the products identified by the audit.

Abstract: Several embodiments provide methods and apparatus to improve communications between an RFID reader and one or more RFID tags. In one implementation, an apparatus comprises a first antenna configured to communicate with a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader; a second antenna separate from said first antenna, and configured to communicate with at least one RFID tag; and structure electrically coupling said first and second antennas.

Abstract: Several embodiments provide methods and apparatus to improve communications between an RFID reader and one or more RFID tags. In one implementation, an apparatus comprises a first antenna configured to communicate with a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader; a second antenna electrically separate from said first antenna, and configured to communicate with at least one RFID tag; and structure electrically coupling said first and second antennas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve: providing a plurality of products that are each associated with a respective radio frequency identification tag; using radio frequency identification technology to automatically identify specific products in a group of products collected by a shopper; and evaluating whether or not to obtain payment from the shopper based on the radio frequency identification of products in the group. Based on the result of the evaluation, either payment is obtained from the shopper on the basis of the radio frequency identification of products in the group, or else the products in the group are audited, and then payment is obtained on the basis of the products identified by the audit.