Perry Ellis reduces chargebacks and improves outbound accuracy thanks to Clustag’s high-precision RAIN RFID tunnels
The U.S. fashion group strengthens post-picking validation at its Atlanta‑area distribution center using a RAIN RFID solution integrated into conveyor operations
In the highly competitive U.S. fashion market, logistics accuracy plays a critical role in protecting margins and meeting strict retail compliance requirements. Perry Ellis International, one of North America’s leading fashion groups, has strengthened its B2B outbound operations by deploying an automated post‑picking validation system based on RAIN RFID tunnels at its distribution center in the Atlanta area.
The project targets one of the most sensitive points in fashion logistics: final order validation after picking and just before shipment to wholesale customers and retail networks. While picking operations were already supported by pick‑to‑light systems, final verification still relied heavily on manual checks, making it difficult to detect discrepancies before shipments left the facility.
In the U.S. fashion industry, these discrepancies carry a direct financial impact. Chargebacks caused by missing or excess items are among the most common penalties imposed by retailers, often reaching up to 20% of the invoice value and resulting in losses that can amount to tens of thousands of dollars per shipment.
To eliminate this risk, Perry Ellis implemented high-density RAIN RFID tunnels fully integrated into its existing conveyor lines. The solution automatically validates the contents of each open box after picking, comparing in real time the items detected by RAIN RFID with the expected order data.
The system combines Clustag MOT Station RAIN RFID tunnels, capable of processing up to 1,000 boxes per hour and reading up to 600 items per box, The entire process is orchestrated by Zentup, Clustag’s middleware platform, fully integrated with Perry Ellis’ Manhattan WMS, ensuring real‑time EPC‑level validation and allowing only compliant orders to proceed to shipping.
One of the challenges was deploying the RAIN RFID solution in a live production environment under tight timelines and complex installation conditions, including work on mezzanines over 12 meters high. Despite these constraints, the RAIN system was implemented without interrupting daily operations or reducing throughput.
The results were immediate. Since go‑live, Perry Ellis has achieved a 17% reduction in discrepancies detected after the RAIN RFID tunnels, along with a significant decrease in non‑compliant shipments reaching B2B customers. This has translated into substantial savings in chargeback penalties and improved product availability at stores, ensuring the correct sizes, colors, and styles arrive at the point of sale.
“This project shows how RAIN RFID technology can transform fashion intralogistics from day one”, says Jorge Robledillo, Director of Clustag North America. “Strong collaboration between teams was essential to delivering measurable results in a highly demanding operational environment.”
According to Tom Seow, VP of Distribution Engineering at Perry Ellis, “the RFID tunnel solutions, integrated with Zentup, allow us to detect errors before they reach the store and give us a clear competitive advantage. We will continue investing in these systems for future projects.”
With this deployment, Perry Ellis reinforces its intralogistics digitalization strategy and demonstrates how automated post‑picking validation with RAIN RFID tunnels has become a key tool for reducing financial risk, improving operational efficiency, and meeting the high standards of U.S. retail operations.
This success story will be featured by Clustag at MODEX 2026, where the company will exhibit from April 13 to 16 in Atlanta (Booth B17332). The event will serve as a platform to discuss with U.S. customers and partners how RAIN RFID solutions can be successfully integrated into highly automated intralogistics environments and how these projects are setting a new benchmark for B2B fashion distribution in North America.
About Perry Ellis
Perry Ellis International, Inc. is a leading designer, distributor, and licensor of a broad portfolio of men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, and fragrances. Headquartered in Doral, Florida, the company operates globally and manages a diverse portfolio of lifestyle brands, including Perry Ellis®, Original Penguin®, Rafaella®, Cubavera®, Ben Hogan®, and Farah®, among others. Perry Ellis products are distributed through major department stores, specialty retailers, and e‑commerce channels worldwide.
About Clustag
Clustag is a global technology company specializing in advanced RAIN RFID solutions for intralogistics, traceability, and supply chain digitalization. The company designs, manufactures, deploys, and supports customized RAIN RFID systems for distribution centers ranging from manual operations to highly automated environments. Clustag has a direct presence in North America, with offices in the United States and Mexico, and is headquartered in Spain. It has deployed thousands of RFID solutions across more than 30 countries. All Clustag solutions are powered by Zentup, its proprietary middleware platform, enabling seamless integration with WMS and enterprise systems while ensuring reliable, EPC‑level data capture and control.