Tesco has become the first UK supermarket to switch an entire product range over to QR codes, kicking off with its own-label sausages.
The update will eventually roll out to all Tesco products and aims to give shoppers more information about their food.
The supermarket giant is moving away from traditional linear barcodes, replacing them with QR codes that can store far more information.
For shoppers, the change at the checkout will be barely noticeable, but they will be able to get more information, and it is a big leap forward for the industry.
The change will roll out across 13 sausage lines
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TESCO
By simply scanning the QR code with their smartphone, shoppers will be able to access a wealth of information about what they are buying.
This includes nutritional content, where your food comes from, and even traceability details that let you know exactly what has gone into your sausages.
Shoppers could also find themselves accessing recipes and competitions through these codes, giving them more out of their weekly shop. For retailers, QR codes mean much better visibility of how long products have left before they expire.
This helps stores order more accurately and run their stock control more efficiently, which cuts down on unnecessary food waste.
It will also change how product recalls work. Instead of pulling every single item off the shelves, supermarkets can now pinpoint the exact batches affected.
That means less food is thrown away needlessly and better availability for customers. Retailers can even block the sale of affected products at the till and reach out to shoppers who’ve already bought them.
Tesco’s development and change director, Peter Draper, said: “Moving to QR codes will help us reduce food waste, improve stock control and unlock new digital benefits for our customers.
Shoppers can access more information about the products
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GETTY“Customers will continue to shop and pay in exactly the same way, but they’ll have the option to access far richer information about the products they buy simply by using their smartphones. Over time, this opens up exciting possibilities, such as personalised digital tools to help customers manage the food they buy and reduce waste at home.”
The switch covers 13 sausage lines, including Tesco Pork Sausages, Chipolatas, Cumberland and Lincolnshire varieties, working with supplier Cranswick.
CEO of GS1 UK, Anne Godfrey, said: “Tesco moving to QR codes powered by GS1 across an entire range marks a significant step forward for UK retail. It shows how the next generation of barcodes can support a more connected, transparent future.
“We hope this progress encourages others to follow Tesco’s lead so that consumers and businesses alike can benefit from richer, more trusted product information.”