From Blind Spots to Smart Stores: Retail Shrink Meets RFID

Join Brand Elverston for his conversation with Matthew Russell, Director of Retail at the Auburn University RFID Lab, about closing retail’s visibility gaps, modernizing inventory accuracy, and turning RFID into a practical, scalable solution for loss prevention.

With a background in business analytics and hands-on leadership at the world’s leading RFID research lab, Matthew shares why RFID has evolved from a “someday” technology into a must-have tool for today’s most competitive retailers.

He offers a behind-the-scenes look at:

• Why apparel was the logical starting point—and what industries are next
• Shrink visibility: why most retailers are still guessing
• How packaging innovation is solving RFID’s historical challenges with metal and liquids
• Lessons from COVID: the acceleration of RFID adoption and what it means for omnichannel
• The role of Auburn’s students in shaping global retail innovation
• What smart retailers are doing right now to prepare for the next wave of complexity

From Delta Airlines to Macy’s to Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Auburn RFID Lab supports industries that need to track precisely what’s happening—where, when, and why. This episode unpacks how RFID enables that clarity, especially in high-stakes retail environments where loss, fraud, and customer disappointment are all on the line.

Whether you’re in asset protection, operations, or tech strategy, this conversation makes a compelling case for why RFID is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s foundational.

About Matthew Russell
Matthew Russell serves as Director of Retail at the Auburn University RFID Lab, leading major initiatives for retailers and suppliers looking to deploy RFID at scale. He oversees cross-functional student teams and collaborates closely with brands and tech providers to ensure solutions are practical, data-driven, and operationally sound.

About Brand L. Elverston
With a remarkable 25-year journey in the retail asset protection/risk mitigation realm, Brand Elverston brings a wealth of experience. Formerly with Walmart’s Loss Prevention division after a distinguished military career, Brand is on a mission to impact the industry positively. His passion lies in leveraging emerging technologies for innovative risk mitigation aligned with evolving retail pursuits.

Don’t miss this deep dive into the real-world impact of RFID. Subscribe now and stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of retail risk mitigation.

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