过去二十年，零售业经历了一次深刻的技术转型。从最早的EAS 防盗标签到今天的EPC UHF RFID，这项技术已经不只是“防盗”，而是成为供应链数字化和门店运营优化的核心工具。
Over the past two decades, the retail industry has undergone a profound technological transformation. From the early EAS anti-theft tags to today’s EPC UHF RFID, this technology has evolved beyond “theft prevention” to become a cornerstone of supply chain digitization and store operation optimization.

2. 从EAS 到RFID：身份的缺失与补全
From EAS to RFID: From Missing Identity to Digital Identity

EAS标签（RF/AM/EM）：几十年来广泛应用于超市、便利店和服装店。它们成本低廉（$0.02–0.05/个），但只有“在场/不在场”的功能，无法识别商品的具体信息。

EAS tags (RF/AM/EM): Widely used for decades in supermarkets, convenience stores, and apparel shops. They are inexpensive ($0.02–0.05 per unit) but provide only a simple “present/absent” function, without product-specific identity.

RFID（UHF EPC Gen2）：区别在于“一物一码”。每个标签通过EPC 编码绑定SKU 与序列号，既能做防盗，也能支撑库存管理、追踪和数据分析。

RFID (UHF EPC Gen2): The difference lies in “one item, one code.” Each tag binds a SKU and serial number through EPC encoding, enabling not only theft prevention but also inventory management, traceability, and data analytics.

3. EPC 成为全球标准
EPC as the Global Standard

在RFID 的发展史上，一个关键拐点是EPCglobal 的EPC Class 1 Gen2 协议，后来纳入ISO/IEC 18000-63。

A critical milestone in RFID history was EPCglobal’s EPC Class 1 Gen2 protocol, later incorporated into ISO/IEC 18000-63.

它统一了超高频RFID 的空中接口标准，兼容GS1 条码体系，让RFID 成为条码的自然延伸。供应链企业可以用同一体系同时管理条码和RFID 数据。

It unified the air interface standard for UHF RFID, compatible with the GS1 barcode system, making RFID a natural extension of barcodes. Supply chain companies can manage both barcodes and RFID data under the same framework.

4. 美国零售：双轨制的现实选择
U.S. Retailers: The Dual-Track Choice

在美国零售业，RFID 主要用于库存与供应链优化：

In U.S. retail, RFID is primarily used for inventory and supply chain optimization:

- 供应商在出货前将EPC 写入标签。
- 门店利用RFID 快速盘点、补货和防盗。
- 收银环节仍然依靠条码，因为现有POS 系统和消费者习惯是条码驱动的。

- Suppliers encode EPC into tags before shipping.
- Stores use RFID for fast inventory counts, replenishment, and theft prevention.
- Checkout still relies on barcodes, as existing POS systems and consumer habits are barcode-driven.

这种“双轨制”模式降低了系统改造成本，但也意味着RFID 的价值主要集中在后台效率，而非前端体验。

This “dual-track” model reduces system upgrade costs but means RFID’s value is concentrated in back-end efficiency rather than front-end customer experience.

5. 日本优衣库：RFID 全链路应用
UNIQLO: Full-Chain RFID Application

优衣库的做法更激进：

UNIQLO’s approach is more aggressive:

- 每件衣服吊牌嵌入RFID。
- 在供应链环节实现追踪，在门店实现防盗。
- 在收银环节，直接通过RFID 扫描框一次完成结算。

- Each clothing tag embeds an RFID chip.
- Enables tracking across the supply chain and theft prevention in stores.
- Checkout is done directly with RFID scanning frames in one step.

这种模式完全替代了条码扫描。虽然前期投入更高，但收银效率和顾客体验的提升，使其在快时尚模式下具有极强的ROI。

This model fully replaces barcode scanning. Although upfront investment is higher, the gains in checkout efficiency and customer experience make it highly cost-effective in fast fashion.

6. 成本与未来趋势
Cost and Future Trends

-标签价格已下降至$0.07–0.1/个，大幅降低了应用门槛。
- 越来越多零售商正在推动条码+RFID 二合一标签。
- 长远来看，随着无收银商店模式的普及，RFID 将与AI、IoT、区块链结合，成为智能零售的基础设施。

- Tag prices have dropped to $0.07–0.1 each, significantly lowering adoption barriers.
- More retailers are promoting dual barcode+RFID labels.
- In the long run, with the rise of cashierless stores, RFID will integrate with AI, IoT, and blockchain to become the infrastructure of smart retail.

7. 结语Conclusion

EAS让商品“能被发现”，而RFID 让商品“能被识别”。今天，它正在成为零售业数字化转型的关键节点。未来十年，RFID 的角色会越来越接近条码革命：从一项防盗技术，成长为全球零售与供应链的数字底座。

EAS made products “detectable,” while RFID makes them “identifiable.” Today, it is a key enabler of retail digital transformation. In the next decade, RFID’s role will become increasingly similar to the barcode revolution: evolving from theft prevention to the digital backbone of global retail and supply chains.