Universal Product Code Barcode Will Be Supplanted By 2027 With a More Data-Rich ‘2D’ Barcode
The new “2D” barcodes will unlock reams of online extras (for consumers) and revolutionize inventory management (for retailers). Scanning them may tell us the field where something was grown, the factory where a garment was sewn, the sustainability practices of the company that made it — or the washing instructions. […] Stores will be able to respond immediately to product recalls, identifying faulty items and removing them from shelves. They’ll be able to flag foods that are approaching their sell-by date — and offer discounts before they expire. Consumers will gain online access to a trove of useful data — everything from ingredients, recipes and potential allergens to promotional offers and information about how to recycle the product.
GS1 US just released a “barcode capabilities test kit” to help retailers evaluate their readiness for the 2D transition. We can expect to start seeing more products printed with 2D barcodes (or both types, as the transition moves forward) fairly soon.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.