The retailer is working with key vendors to speed up the timeline to begin inserting RFID "smart labels" on price tags that will help improve inventory accuracy while enhancing Target's in-stock position, wrote Keri Jones, executive vice president, Global Supply Chain and Operations, in the retailer's online forum for executives.

"This unobtrusive but significant technology will increase efficiencies by providing greater visibility into our inventory. That means guests will better be able to find out whether we've got the item at their Target store or at others nearby," Jones wrote. "We also expect RFID to help us better fulfill online orders placed for store pickup, which already account for 15 percent of Target.com purchases."

The RFID rollout will start in a small number of stores late this year, then expand to all Target stores in 2016. The program will include many key categories such as women's, baby and kids' apparel, and home decor, Jones noted. If the rollout is successful, this will be one of the biggest RFID projects in retail.

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