January 3rd 2025.
Big changes are on the horizon for checkouts in stores. For the past 50 years, every time you made a purchase at a physical retailer, you most likely saw a barcode being scanned. It didn't matter if you were at a grocery store or a clothing boutique, those black and white lines were a familiar sight. But things are about to change. In the next few years, those "old-fashioned" barcodes will be replaced with modern, square, pixel-based QR codes.
This shift is being spearheaded by GS1, the world's only authorized provider of Global Trade Item Numbers. These unique numbers are what power every barcode. According to GS1, the new QR codes are capable of holding a lot more information about products, such as ingredients, allergens, and even recipe suggestions for food items. This is a huge upgrade from the traditional barcodes, which can only store seven specific pieces of information, such as the name of the item, manufacturer, and price.
Anne Godfrey, the chief executive of GS1 UK, reveals that nearly half of British retailers have already updated their checkouts to prepare for the use of QR codes. While QR codes have been around for some time and have been used in shops and restaurants, their popularity has skyrocketed during the pandemic. Many establishments required customers to scan QR codes in order to view menus and place orders. They have also started to appear more frequently on product packaging, providing additional information to shoppers or linking to websites.
In an interview with Mail Online, Anne explains, "Very soon, we will be saying goodbye to the old-fashioned barcode and every product will just have one QR code that holds all the information you need. The old barcodes do what they say on the tin - they beep, tell you the price, and get you out of the store. But today's consumers want more information about the products they buy."
But this change is not just happening in the UK. Major brands around the world, including PepsiCo, Amazon, and Walmart, are also on board with the transition. Some supermarkets, like Tesco and Morrisons, have already started using the new QR codes.
The history of the barcode is quite fascinating. It was invented in the late 1940s by Norman Joseph Woodland, who initially came up with the idea while drawing Morse Code dots and dashes on a beach in Miami. It was his colleague, George J Laurer, who turned the original design into the barcode we know today. On April 3, 1973, the IBM's Universal Product Code was selected to be the standard for the industry. And just over a year later, a pack of Wrigley's chewing gum became the first product to be scanned using a barcode.
The barcode made its way to the UK in October 1979, appearing on a box of Melrose tea bags at a supermarket in Spalding, Lincolnshire. Now, almost 50 years later, it's time to bid farewell to the traditional barcode and welcome the new QR codes.
Anne shares, "We won't celebrate the death of the humble barcode, but it is time to say a long goodbye to it." And for those worried about the transition causing issues for shops and customers, Theresa Lindsay, the group marketing director at Novuna, reassures that we have already overcome the main challenges - consumer reaction and the cost of implementation for retailers.
Theresa explains, "The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technology, and customers are now more comfortable scanning for information quickly. We see this as an evolution that will not only benefit customers but also help brands learn from the people who shop on the high street."
She also notes that introducing QR codes has additional benefits, especially for those with disabilities. "These new barcodes address accessibility issues for many. For example, visually impaired individuals can scan QR codes and receive audio assistance. QR codes will be a more powerful tool for consumers to decide whether a product is right for them, creating greater trust and communication between brands and customers."
From a business standpoint, smaller retailers adopting the new QR codes can better convey their stories and provide dynamic, product-specific content. Theresa adds, "Personalizing the product experience is key when businesses are limited by product packaging or store footprint."
She continues, "QR codes open a range of opportunities for brands and customers, going beyond simply tracking a product's sell-by date. By linking an action to the QR code, which is then evaluated to understand how consumers engage with a product or initiative, brands can learn directly from customer shopping interactions how to better meet their needs."
So, how do you feel about QR codes replacing traditional barcodes in stores? Let us know in the comments below. And if you have a story to share, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We'd love to hear from you.
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