Sensormatic Solutions, the loss prevention and inventory intelligence arm of Johnson Controls, has unveiled two new sewn-in RFID tagging products designed to give retailers persistent item-level visibility without altering the look or feel of finished garments.
Announced on June 2, 2026, the RFID Seam Tag and RFID Brand Label represent a shift toward embedding UHF RFID inlays directly into apparel during manufacturing. Rather than relying on hang tags or adhesive labels that are removed at the point of sale, these solutions stay with the product from the factory floor through to the consumer’s wardrobe, creating what Sensormatic describes as “unique and long-lasting digital fingerprints” for every item.
The RFID Seam Tag uses a thin, flexible form factor that sits inside garment seams. Because it conforms to the natural construction of the product, it adds no perceptible bulk and does not interfere with wear or washing. The RFID Brand Label, meanwhile, is sewn into the garment according to each retailer’s preferred placement, functioning as both a branding element and a data carrier. Both tags are designed to slot into existing production workflows with minimal additional labour.
From a supply chain perspective, permanent RFID tagging solves a long-standing gap. Traditional removable tags provide visibility only until the item reaches the shop floor. Sewn-in tags extend that window, enabling retailers to track inventory through distribution, in-store replenishment, checkout and even post-sale returns. That continuity feeds more accurate stock counts into omnichannel fulfilment systems and reduces the phantom inventory problem that costs the sector billions each year.
Loss prevention is another core benefit. Because the tags are tamper-resistant and permanently attached, they act as a deterrent against organised retail theft and counterfeiting. Retailers can also use the embedded identifiers to authenticate products at the point of return, helping to flag fraudulent returns and grey-market diversion at scale.
Tony D’Onofrio, president of Sensormatic Solutions, called the new products “the next era of omnichannel retail intelligence tools,” noting that they combine visibility and protection in a single discreet package. The tags are compatible with existing RAIN RFID reader infrastructure, so retailers already running UHF-based inventory programmes can adopt them without overhauling their hardware.
Both the RFID Seam Tag and RFID Brand Label are available worldwide through Sensormatic’s global network of RFID Service Bureaus, which handle encoding, converting and shipping of finished inlays and tags to manufacturers.
Read more at https://www.sensormatic.com/resources/pr/2026/sewn-in-rfid-source-tag-press-release