A system and method for selectively activating a radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) reader within a venue having a point of sale (POS) lane. In various aspects, a first detector detects a POS lane activity state of the POS lane, where the POS lane activity state comprises an active state or an inactive state. A second detector detects a presence of a person in the POS lane, such that a processor, operatively connected to the first detector and the second detector, activates a first a first RFID reader, the first RFID reader having a reading range that extends over the POS lane, the activation occurring upon an indication by the first detector that the POS lane activity state has the inactive state and upon a further indication by the second detector that the person is present within the POS lane.