UPDATE: |Tesco pilots major change to in-store checkout process News

The change could see the traditional black and white barcode disappearing from Tesco stores

Tesco is piloting a change to its in-store checkout process, which will look at replacing traditional barcodes with QR codes.

Trials will look to explore the potential benefits that QR codes could offer customers, including giving greater access to detailed product information such as allergen advice.

As the UK’s biggest supermarket, Tesco is now trialling the major technological change across 12 of its own-brand fresh produce and meat products.

The introduction of QR codes to product packaging would allow shoppers to use their smartphone to access more-detailed information on the products they are purchasing.

The new proposed QR codes, developed in partnership with global barcode standards body GS1, will look to offer the same functionality as barcodes at checkout but with the added benefits of providing customers with greater transparency over the products they buy.

Matt Rhind, Tesco supply chain and development director, told The Grocer: “We are pleased to be collaborating with GS1 to explore the potential benefits for customers and for our business from QR codes.

“We know our customers want the opportunity to access detailed product information instantly via their smartphone and we are also always looking for solutions for reducing waste and tracking products more effectively through our supply chain.”

Tesco is currently trialling the new QR codes in around 20 per cent of its stores in the South of England, to explore the benefits they offer to both customers and business.

The QR codes being added to packaging also offer the potential for customers to access nutritional information, allergen advice, use-by dates and even alternative product suggestions through their smart phone.

Anne Godfrey, GS1 UK CEO, further told The Grocer: “In today’s hyper-connected world, barcodes need to start working harder.

“There is still much to be done but, with the backing of our members, partners and our global community, QR codes powered by GS1 can deliver new, more powerful ways of working that promise to be just as transformational – if not more so – than that first barcode scan 50 years ago.”

Alongside the scheme being trialled in Tesco stores, GS1 also plans to achieve a comprehensive industry-wide rollout of the next generation of codes for 2027.

The innovative move from Tesco also follows the supermarket’s bid to cut down on waste last year, by trialling laser-etching avocados to remove the need for sticky labels on produce.

QR code trials also follow Tesco’s new initiative to introduce menopause-friendly aisles to help shoppers find products suitable for easing menopause symptoms more easily.