An item management apparatus includes a reader that reads a first identification of a first radio device carried by a user and a second identification of an alarm device correlated with an item deposited by the user. A memory stores the first identification and the second identification read by the reader in association with each other. A receiver receives a first signal from the first radio device. A processor determines a distance to the first radio device based on the first signal. A transmitter transmits a second signal for causing the alarm device to provide an alarm notice if the distance to the first radio device is determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined distance.