Japanese retail giant Aeon will shift sourcing from China to Vietnam. Reason: rising production costs in China. Aeon’s apparel is nearly 70 per cent from Vietnam and will increase the value of goods procured from Vietnam over the past years to a whopping $200 million.
Aeon Retail, incorporated in 1986, owns and operates general merchandise stores and supermarkets in Japan. Aeon is switching from existing acousto-magnetic electronic article surveillance systems for Checkpoint Systems’ radio frequency identification RF EAS systems to improve inventory management and the shopping experience. Aeon Retail will also pioneer Checkpoint’s RFID robot prototype to automate the in-store inventory cycle-counting process so it can improve inventory visibility and enhance shopper experience.
Shopping at Aeon means beautifully displayed products, immaculate shopping areas and reasonable prices. The retail chain recently held a conclave of 120 companies in Vietnam as a part of the supplier chain meeting. It called for joint development of apparels and other products that are sourced from Vietnam. In turn Vietnam’s suppliers hope Aeon would help in boosting the country’s exports by introducing many more Vietnamese products.
