Tesco and Morrisons Become First UK Supermarkets to Scrap Traditional Barcodes
Tesco and Morrisons have made history as the first supermarkets in the United Kingdom to phase out traditional barcodes, replacing them with modern square, pixel-based QR codes, also known as 2D barcodes. This significant shift marks a major technological advancement in the retail sector, aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for consumers.
Tesco's Pioneering Trial of QR Codes
Tesco, which operates numerous branches in Birmingham and competes with rivals like Sainsbury's, Aldi, Asda, and Lidl, is currently trialling the use of QR codes on select own-brand fresh produce and meat products. Items such as lemons, limes, steaks, and sausages are among the first to feature these new codes, allowing customers to access detailed product information with a simple scan using their smartphones.
Expert Insights on the Barcode Evolution
Anne Godfrey, chief executive of GS1 UK, highlighted the importance of this transition in an interview with Mail Online. She stated, "Very soon we will say goodbye to the old-fashioned barcode and every product will just have one QR code that holds all the information you need." Godfrey explained that while traditional barcodes efficiently process prices, today's consumers demand more comprehensive details about the products they purchase.
She elaborated, "By combining two of the most important inventions of the 20th Century, the internet and the barcode, the next generation of barcodes will connect physical products to the digital world." This innovation enables shoppers to obtain virtually limitless, real-time information, empowering them to make more sustainable, safer, and smarter purchasing decisions, as she further noted in a discussion with Metro.
Morrisons Joins the Technological Upgrade
In addition to Tesco, Morrisons is also believed to have begun implementing the new QR codes. This move underscores a broader industry trend, with Godfrey warning that other retailers must soon adopt similar upgrades or risk falling behind in the competitive market.
Broader Context: Tesco's Recent Initiatives
This technological advancement coincides with other positive developments at Tesco. The supermarket recently reached an agreement with the trade union Usdaw to increase the hourly pay rate for colleagues in stores and online fulfilment centres to £13.28 per hour, effective from 29 March 2026. This 5.1% pay award, representing an investment of over £200 million, exceeds the current national inflation rate and builds on Tesco's ongoing commitment to enhancing employee compensation and benefits.
The shift to QR codes by Tesco and Morrisons not only modernises the checkout process but also aligns with evolving consumer expectations for transparency and information accessibility in their shopping journeys.
