The end of the barcode era: Why QR codes are set to dominate retail
A recent study by GS1 UK and FT Longitude suggests that barcodes could vanish from UK shelves within five years, driven by overwhelming consumer preference for QR codes. Globally, this transition echoes the growing demand for richer product information and enhanced transparency at the point of sale.
A revolution in product identification
Invented in the early 1950s and commercialised widely in the 1970s, the linear barcode transformed retail, expediting checkouts and inventory management. However, the digital age has shifted consumers’ expectations. QR codes, a two‑dimensional barcode variant, can store far more data than their linear predecessors. According to GS1 and FT Longitude, linear barcodes are likely to be fully replaced by QR codes in UK stores within five years, complemented by 41% of British retail executives predicting a total phase‑out in that timeframe. Across the globe, retail giants such as Walmart, Amazon and PepsiCo are already piloting QR code systems, aiming for full adoption by 2027.
Renaud de Barbuat, President and CEO of GS1, describes this next generation of barcoding as “a QR code with a barcode hidden inside”, promising “one scan, infinite possibilities”.
Consumer transparency in the Digital Age
Today’s shoppers increasingly seek detailed information not just on price, but on how and where products are made. Surveys indicate that nearly 79% of consumers prefer products with scannable QR codes that supply additional information, and 77% regard such details as key to purchasing decisions, with 62% prepared to pay more for informed choices. Through smart QR codes, users can instantly access vital details, such as allergen warnings, origin data and nutritional values, simply by scanning with a smartphone.
Importantly, the scope of this technology extends beyond ingredient labels. It can trace carbon footprints, assess emissions throughout supply chains and report ethical labour practices—crucial factors for environmentally and socially conscious consumers. Traditional packaging cannot accommodate this volume of information; QR codes offer a solution, linking individual product identities to online platforms capable of real‑time updates.
A broader technological and environmental shift
The QR code movement is part of a wider wave of digital transformation reshaping retail. The pandemic accelerated trends such as mobile payment, app‑based store navigation, self‑checkout systems, and interactive technologies like and virtual reality. Companies are adopting handheld devices for mobile point‑of‑sale systems, further integrating digital interfaces into the shopping experience .
Emerging tech also aligns with environmental goals. A notable example is a delicatessen chain in Brazil that implemented GS1’s QR system at three stores, reporting a 50% reduction in food waste within two months. Similarly, a water brand in South Korea eliminated plastic labels altogether by moving product information online via QR tags on bottle caps. These innovations reduce packaging waste while enabling products to carry up‑to‑date, remotely managed data.
The road ahead
Although QR codes are gaining momentum, their rollout is expected to be gradual. GS1 anticipates QR codes becoming the norm by 2027, initially coexisting with traditional barcodes to ensure compatibility during the transition . Full adoption hinges on several factors: retailer and manufacturer readiness, infrastructure upgrades, and consumer education. Nevertheless, the trajectory is clear. As retailers integrate smart codes into shelves, apps, and supply chains, QR codes will become more than a scanning tool—they will serve as a direct interface connecting consumers with product lifecycles, sustainability data, ethical credentials, and beyond. The barcode shaped modern retail as we know it—but it’s the QR code that’s set to define its future.