The Grocer - the second barcode revolution

Fifty years after the first barcode scan, the grocery industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation. The ubiquitous UPC is set to be replaced by the QR code, a technology that offers enhanced data capacity and interactive capabilities.

From consumers and regulators to brand owners and retailers, everyone wants to know more about the products they buy, sell or consume. However, space on-pack is finite, meaning there will always be a limit to the amount of information physical labels can carry.

QR codes powered by GS1 have been identified by industry as the solution to this problem, allowing businesses to connect their products' unique identity to multiple online sources of enriched, real-time content. They can be scanned by smartphones, and at the point of sale, enabling capabilities far beyond what a standard barcode can offer today.

With almost 98 per cent of all UK adults now owning a smartphone, this has the potential to transform the way businesses share information, ushering in a new era of supply chain efficiency, transparency and enhanced consumer experiences.