A new “smart” hanger has been developed that is said to have the capability to record real-time product tracking, reduce carbon footprint, improve product security, reduce supply chain cost, and provide customers with smartphone access to brand-generated content.
Developed by global logistics and materials sourcing provider OIA Global, in collaboration with Digimarc and Ditto Sustainable Brand Solutions, the hangers are made from 100% recycled content and capture data for all levels of apparel processing, sales and marketing.
The hangers feature a Digimarc barcode, which can be used to enhance packaging, images, and audio with data that is detected by enabled devices, such as phones, computers, barcode scanners and machine-vision equipment.
The barcode also records real-time tracking of stored, displayed, and sold items; it improves security; and provides consumers with instant access to product information.
Ditto-branded, the hangers also allow for more efficient garment packing, which can mean reduced shipping, labour and warehouse costs – up to 20% savings across the entire supply chain, the companies claim. They can also be recycled.
According to OIA, annual savings of US$4.6m were recorded for a children’s apparel brand by replacing plastic with fibreboard alternatives. Garment packing efficiency increased, allowing reduced shipping costs and the slashing of distribution centre expenditures. The brand was also able to profit from recycling hangers at the end of the retail life-cycle instead of sending traditional plastic hangers to a landfill.
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By GlobalData
