Tesco switches from barcodes to QR codes in ‘revolutionary’ move
Tesco is switching from barcodes to QR codes on packaging across a range of own-brand products in a move it described as “one of the most revolutionary retailing improvements in decades”.
The retailer is applying QR codes to 13 lines of own-brand sausages, including Tesco Pork Sausages, Tesco Pork Chipolatas, Tesco British Pork Sausage Meat, British Cumberland Sausages and British Lincolnshire Sausages.
Subscribe to TRBThe move will allow customers to access additional product information via their smartphones such as nutritional content, traceability, competitions and recipes.
Tesco said the change will also give it better information about products in stores, helping it to order more accurately, improve efficiency, and reduce waste.
In the event of a product recall, the retailer will be able to identify specific batches rather than removing all items from sale, thereby avoiding unnecessary waste. It will also be able to block the sale of affected products at the till and contact customers who have purchased the items.
Peter Draper, Tesco development and change director, said: “For customers, this is a tiny and almost invisible change at the checkout, but for the retail industry it’s a significant step forward.
“Moving to QR codes will help us reduce food waste, improve stock control and unlock new digital benefits for our customers.
“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.”
