RFID Readers Market

Market Overview

The global RFID readers market size was valued at USD 12,791.48 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 29,187.67 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

The RFID reader is a device that collects data from an RFID tag, which is used to track a specific object. Information is transferred from the RFID tag to the reader using radio-frequency waves. Most RFIDs are used to store data, which is used when interpreted by a user. Bar codes and RFID are both related technologies. However, no direct scanning of the RFID tag or line-of-sight to a reader is necessary. The RFID tags must be within an RFID reader's 3 to 300-foot range. The RFID reader's RF module is a radio frequency signal transmitter and receiver.

An RFID reader uses a connected antenna to read tags and transmits the data it receives to a computer for processing. RFID readers can be integrated into mobile devices like portable and handheld scanners and fixed installations in stores, factories, and other stationary locations. In addition, this reader can be embedded in electronic equipment or devices and vehicles. These readers have a wide application area in retail, security authentication, aerospace, and transportation industries.

Highlights

• Handheld RFID readers dominate the product type segment
• Ultra-high frequency dominates the frequency band segment
• Transportation and logistics dominate the industry verticals segment
• North America is the highest shareholder in the global market

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Growing Adoption in Businesses to Track Inventory and Equipment

Regarding reading/writing capabilities and logistical tracking of inventory or equipment, an optically based system like a barcode falls short. RFID helps manage to update of stocks and makes operations convenient during transportation and logistics of the product for supply chain management in the retail business. In addition, RFID allows users to check all contents at once without scanning every item. For instance, inventory management in the warehouse is carried out with the help of a fully automated data capture and analysis system that is projected to help keep track of valuable assets and equipment. Hence, the increase in the availability of stable, evolving, and robust properties of RFID helps retail businesses create huge opportunities for the global market.

Effective at Long Range and in Extreme Conditions

The RFID reader can scan a tag if it is within the frequency range. It does not have any line-of-sight limitations. Alternative ID solutions, such as barcoding, require the reader to be close to the barcode to see and scan the product. RFID systems can automatically read tag IDs from a distance and through obstacles between the tag and the reader. Furthermore, uncertain environmental changes do not affect the operation of RFID sensors. Therefore, the rise in the development of high withstanding and stability in operation is expected to drive the future growth of the global market significantly.

Market Restraint

High Initial Investment Associated with Manufacturing

Many components and sensors are assembled in a single dielectric plate for better compatibility, which incurs higher costs than other tracking and identification methods. The RFID tags in the transmitter and receiver consist of a few sensors and nano products that are inbuilt into a single plate of dielectric, which increases the complexity and cost of production. Therefore, high initial manufacturing and maintenance costs restrain the growth of the RFID readers market.

Market Opportunities

Increasing Penetration of RFID Sensors In Various Applications

Tag collision occurs when RFID tags are used in applications like manufacturing and management, security, retail, and location tracking. These tags are simple to attach inside an animal's body, which makes it easier to maintain track of the animal. In addition, this is useful in the poultry industry, wherein the installed tags provide information about the animal's age, vaccinations, and health. Furthermore, RFID is used in supply chain management for inventory tracking and logistics management and in the airline industry to indicate the passenger location at the airport. These tags are also used in electronic toll collection systems and while measuring the race time during a marathon. Such beneficial features of RFID sensors are estimated to offer massive opportunities for the growth of the RFID market during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

North America Dominates the Global Market

Based on region, the global RFID readers market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America is the most significant global RFID readers market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 11.4% over the forecast period. The region is estimated to dominate the global  market due to its widespread use in retail and automotive industries. In order to maximize inventory allocation, many North American firms are putting automated item identification systems in place. In addition, the market for RFID readers is anticipated to benefit greatly from the increase in demand for supply chain management over the forecast period. The increase in the need for RFID technology in the healthcare industry further creates lucrative opportunities for the RFID reader's market growth.

Furthermore, the North American region includes the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The U.S. holds the largest market share in North America and continue to dominate the market during the forecast period. Zebra Technologies, the U.S.-based leading player, launched SmartSense RFID for the retail sector to identify and track the location of the merchandise, associates, and shoppers in a retail store.

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.8% over the forecast period. Europe is a major region adopting new and upgraded technologies in every sector. Advancements in the transportation, automotive, consumer electronics, and retail sectors are estimated to boost the growth of the global market in this region. The high growth of the e-commerce sector across the globe further creates the need for effective asset tracking from warehouses. In addition, the surge in the retail sector in Europe is expected to augment the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Furthermore, strategic initiatives by several key players help boost the market in the region. For instance, in Nov 2017, PervasID, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) developer, partnered with Harland Simon to bring RFID technology to the healthcare market. This is expected to help boost the number of hospitals in the U.K. to monitor the location of mobile medical equipment, thereby driving the market's growth.

In Asia-Pacific, developing nations, such as China, India, Japan, and Australia, are contributing to the major market share of RFID globally. High growth in the Asia-Pacific can be attributed to the rise in demand for RFID technology from fast-developing countries like China and India. The presence of the largest and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Asia-Pacific and the surge in demand for tracking, monitoring, and locating objects for security, safety, and resource optimization are the key factors driving the RFID readers market during the forecast period.

LAMEA comprises Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Technological developments in Latin America and the Middle East are expected to supplement the market growth in this region. In addition, automation in the retail sector provides growth opportunities for the global market. Moreover, new product launches by significant key players boost regional market growth. For instance, in November 2018, ELATEC launched an RFID reader, which enables user authentication for access control applications. This reader recognizes and decodes over 60 card types and is certified for use in 108 countries.

Segmental Analysis

The global RFID readers market is bifurcated into product type, frequency band, and industry verticals.

Based on product type, the global market is bifurcated into handheld RFID readers and fixed RFID readers. 

The handheld RFID readers segment dominates the global market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 1.3% over the forecast period. Handheld RFID readers are compact and lightweight. These RFID readers have integrated antennas and displays for easy operation and immediate integration with the data. In addition, handheld RFID readers are used for field service applications such as asset tracking and other applications. They help boost the productivity and efficiency of the warehouse by providing shelf restocking and other features. Various organizations focus on adopting new systems to increase business efficiency and consistently move toward systems and software to increase mobility. These devices are widely used in warehouses to manage operations and inventory. Furthermore, the rise in the adoption of RFID tags and the need for mobility drive the demand for handheld RFID readers. The surge in demand for handheld RFID readers in the automotive and manufacturing industry further boosts the growth of the global market.

Fixed RFID readers are stationary RFIDs with high readability and are used in professional RFID systems. These readers can be directly attached to the portal or mounted on a wall or ceiling. In addition, fixed readers can automatically fetch records without scanning every product, which helps save time for customers. Fixed RFID readers also help improve asset management, supply chain efficiency, and utilization and work-in-process (WIP) tracking. Some significant companies are focusing on the solutions such as RFID tags, which can increase their working efficiency. In addition, companies are developing advanced RFID readers consisting of integrated sensors and communication technologies, which help track and manage the shipment of particular products. The surge in demand for fixed RFID readers in the manufacturing, retail, and automotive sectors is expected to drive the RFID market during the forecast period.

Based on frequency band, the global market is bifurcated into low frequency, high frequency, and ultra-high frequency. 

The ultra-high frequency segment owns the highest market share and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 13.0% over the forecast period. Ultra-high frequency band ranges from 300 MHz to 3 GHz. These bands can transfer data faster than low- and high-frequencies. Ultra-high frequency tags are well suited for many items, such as boxes of goods, which pass through a dock door into a warehouse. These ultra-high frequency bands are used in applications like electronic toll collection and parking access control.

The high-frequency band ranges from 3 to 30 MHz and operates at 13.56 MHz, ranging between 10 cm and 1 m. This frequency band is widely used for payment, patient flow tracking, ticketing, tracking library books, and data transfer applications. In addition, high frequency has several standards, such as ISO 15693 standard for tracking items; ISO/IEC 14443 A and ISO/IEC 14443 standards for MIFARE technology, which can be used in proximity cards and smart cards; and ECMA-340 and ISO/IEC 18092 standards for Near Field Communication (NFC) used to exchange data between devices.

Based on industry verticals, the global market is divided into transportation and logistics, healthcare, hospitality, food and beverages, retail, manufacturing, and government. 

The transportation and logistics segment is the most significant contributor to the market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 14.9% over the forecast period. RFID readers are used in many industries to make the operation feasible. Various transportation companies are using tags on vehicles to identify them at the sites. The vehicle information and yard space are fed into the IT systems for proper planning of loading or unloading the bay resources. RFID is used in railway transport to provide information about the route being followed, the speed of the railcar, and the load in each wagon.

In addition, the ultra-high frequency reader in logistics and transportation is primarily used to track shipments and containers and can be used to locate bottlenecks or blind spots to streamline container flow. These ultra-high frequency readers have high-adhesive strength and are placed in multiple locations with a supply network. These tags track shipping data, container numbers, and import or export codes. The market for RFID readers is anticipated to be driven by these factors throughout the projected period.

In the healthcare industry, RFID reader provides different solutions which can help reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and ensure safety, as well as enables healthcare providers and administrators to make effective clinical and business decisions. RFID technology tracks and authenticates patients, from newborn babies to seniors. RFID reader helps the healthcare industry to save time and money by providing real-time traceability, communication, identification, and location data for resources. In addition, RFID helps workers to access and record data securely via mobile devices. These factors create lucrative opportunities for the RFID market during the forecast period.

Recent Developments

• May 2023- JADAK, a division of Novanta Corporation ("Novanta"), announced the release of the ThingMagic® M7e Series, which features the new Impinj E family RAIN RFID reader processors. The M7e Series consists of five modules, the industry's smallest UHF RFID modules, allowing clients to use the chip in extremely small applications.

• May 2023- SML and PervasID, two companies specializing in RFID technology, partnered to provide retailers with accurate, real-time product visibility utilizing passive RFID reader technology and enterprise software. Through a unique combination of PervasID's RFID reader technology and SML's Clarity enterprise software solutions, the partnership intends to provide retailers and brands with real-time product visibility and granular information on stock levels.