The removable tags, which will be radio scanned by Wal-Mart staff, are designed to better monitor inventory of fashion goods in its stores. At present, many retailers are using RFID tags to track bulk amounts of clothing stock from a distance.

Garments will be the first Wal-Mart products to pilot the tags, which have the potential to revolutionize stock rooms but do raise privacy issues.

A spokesperson declined to comment further, but confirmed previous reports that the new technology was destined for stores.

He told the newspaper: "This ability to wave the wand and have a sense of all the products that are on the floor or in the back room in seconds is something that we feel can really transform our business."