UK supermarket chain Tesco has announced plans to replace traditional 1D barcodes on its food products with 2D barcodes, such as QR codes, in what it calls a revolutionary step. According to reports from Google News , the move aims to provide customers with more detailed product information while improving supply chain traceability.
The shift to 2D barcodes aligns with global retail trends and GS1 standards, which advocate for transitioning from linear barcodes to richer data carriers. The new barcodes can encode batch numbers, expiry dates, and nutritional data, allowing for better inventory management and consumer engagement. Tesco has not disclosed the timeline for the full rollout but expects it to be phased in across its own-brand food range.
Industry analysts note that the move could reduce checkout times and lower food waste through dynamic pricing of near-expiry items. However, the transition requires investment in scanning infrastructure and supplier coordination. Tesco joins other global retailers exploring 2D barcodes, signaling a broader shift in retail technology.