The retail industry is undergoing a profound transformation, fuelled by technological innovation and shifting consumer expectations. As businesses face new challenges, the need for better product information, transparency, and traceability has never been more pressing.
QR codes, powered by GS1, are poised to be at the heart of this change, offering retailers and consumers alike a new level of insight into products and supply chains.
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Driving the shift in consumer expectations
The increasing demand for transparency is one of the most significant forces reshaping retail. Consumers, regulators, and brand owners all want access to more detailed information about the products they engage with.
The challenge, however, lies in the limited space available on physical packaging. “Space on pack is finite, meaning there will always be a limit to the amount of information physical labels can carry,” explains GS1 UK.
As the demand for more information grows, QR codes offer a practical solution by linking products to real-time data available online. This allows consumers to easily access comprehensive details about product origins, manufacturing processes, sustainability efforts, and much more with a simple scan.
This technology empowers consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions, aligning with the growing emphasis on ethical and sustainable practices.
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By GlobalDataEnhancing retail operations and ESG reporting
QR codes have the potential to revolutionise more than just consumer engagement. They are also a game-changer for retailers in terms of operational efficiency and reporting.
With QR codes, businesses can improve traceability across their supply chains, enabling them to provide up-to-date and accurate information about products from production to point of sale.
This level of traceability is vital not only for enhancing transparency but also for meeting the growing demands around environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting.
As businesses continue to adopt more ambitious sustainability goals, QR codes will play a key role in demonstrating commitment to these objectives.
As GS1 UK notes, the “next generation barcodes” will be instrumental in advancing ESG reporting at both the product and company level, allowing businesses to showcase their sustainability efforts more clearly to stakeholders.
The global shift to GS1-powered QR codes
The move from traditional barcodes to QR codes powered by GS1 is expected to be one of the most significant transitions in retail technology.
With more than 60,000 members across the globe, GS1 UK is helping companies embrace this change, working to overcome the challenges of integrating this new system.
“We have become increasingly aware of the major transformation currently underway in retail,” says GS1 UK, highlighting their role in facilitating this shift.
This global transition is grounded in extensive research and collaboration with industry partners like FT Longitude, ensuring that QR codes meet the evolving needs of both businesses and consumers.
The goal is not just to adapt to current trends but to become a catalyst for long-term positive change within the retail sector.
By enabling businesses to connect their products’ unique identity to a wealth of online information, GS1-powered QR codes offer a powerful tool to meet both current consumer expectations and future challenges.
As retailers and brands adopt these technologies, the future of retail will be defined by greater transparency, improved sustainability, and enhanced consumer engagement.
The rise of QR codes is not just a technological advancement; it represents a fundamental shift towards a more informed, responsible, and connected retail experience.
