Decathlon and UNIQLO Use It! How Do Self-Checkout Systems Recognize Items in 2 Seconds Without Scanning Barcodes? Taiwan's 'Black Tech' Revealed

UNIQLO's self-checkout machines don't require scanning barcodes one by one. Simply place a batch of clothes into the sensing area, and the screen instantly displays the items and total amount. A netizen posted on Threads asking how it works, sparking responses from former employees and users. UNIQLO Taiwan's official account even joined in with a humorous reply: 'Magic~'. This playful interaction went viral, earning over 140,000 likes.

The system relies on RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology. Each clothing tag contains a microchip and antenna. The checkout machine uses radio waves to read all items simultaneously, eliminating the need to scan barcodes individually like at traditional registers. As a result, placing multiple garments on the counter instantly reveals the list and price.

Users online revealed the tech behind the tags is actually a patented innovation developed in Taiwan. One commenter said: 'There’s a chip inside the paper tag! It’s a Taiwanese patent! A friend’s company developed it—super impressive, but I can’t name them due to an NDA.' This claim sparked further discussion.

The post attracted a flood of replies—some close to the truth, others purely humorous. 'There’s a chip in the tag—I’m a former employee passing by~', 'Shine a flashlight on the tag and you can see the chip', 'There’s actually someone inside—believe me, I was the part-timer in there that day', 'In truth, the moment you enter the store, a tiny elf follows you and writes down every item you pick up.'

UNIQLO Taiwan’s official account replied simply with 'Magic~', avoiding technical details. This mysterious response only fueled more engagement, with the post ultimately receiving 140,000 likes, many users charmed by the brand’s humor.

However, users should verify the item count and details on screen. Some report mismatches: 'I only had 7 items, but it showed 8. After asking staff, we found a tag in another garment’s pocket.' 'My friend’s clothes were placed near mine and got scanned too.' These issues arise because RFID sensors have a wide range—any nearby item tags can be detected.

If the displayed count doesn’t match your actual items, pause payment and ask staff to verify the list before proceeding.

Decathlon also uses the same RFID-based self-checkout. Customers place all items on the counter at once, enabling fast, barcode-free payment and significantly speeding up checkout.

According to The Wall Street Journal, about 70% of UNIQLO customers use self-checkout, reaching up to 90% in some markets. This cuts waiting time by over half and improves customer perception, driving wider adoption of the technology.

Forbes cites research from retail consultancy RBR, noting that due to labor shortages, rising wages, and consumer demand for faster, more autonomous shopping experiences, the number of self-checkout units globally is expected to grow by over 90% annually.