Tesco has launched an expanded pilot scheme trialling next-generation QR codes powered by GS1 on selected own-brand meat and produce lines in stores across southern England. This initiative marks a significant step in the retail industry’s move towards a smarter, more connected supply chain.

In collaboration with GS1 UK and ten supplier partners, the pilot replaces traditional barcodes on 12 product lines to capture critical information such as use-by dates and batch numbers. This data enables Tesco to assess improvements in date code accuracy, reduce food waste, and enhance protection against the sale of out-of-date products. These QR codes carry a unique digital identity for each item, similar to traditional barcodes, but they can transmit significantly more information, providing instant access to real-time data from the supply chain to the shelf.

Isabela De Pedro, Tesco’s supply chain development and change director, commented to Food and Drink Technology: “While it’s still early days, we’re already seeing the benefits of connecting our products to dynamic digital information that will help customers to know more about the products on our shelves. As well as improving the customer experience and unlocking new supply chain value, we are testing how QR codes can help Tesco with issues including traceability, compliance, sustainability and shelf-edge communication.”

This trial represents the first of its kind and scale by a UK supermarket and lays groundwork for future applications such as linking QR codes to allergen information, sourcing details, sustainability credentials, and recycling guidance.

Research from GS1 UK highlights that UK businesses are increasingly adopting QR codes powered by GS1, with 25 per cent of businesses now aware of the transition. Among GS1 UK’s members, 11 per cent have already implemented the technology, and a further 33 per cent plan to adopt it within the next 12 months. This suggests that nearly half of the organisation’s 60,000 members could be using QR codes powered by GS1 as early as 2026.

Key business priorities driving this adoption include exploring new sales channels (31 per cent), compliance with evolving legislation (25 per cent), supply chain transparency, operational efficiency, and customer engagement. These are areas where QR codes have already demonstrated value.

Iain Walker, director of industry engagement at GS1 UK, told the publication: “This trial is a clear signal that the retail industry is entering a new chapter. QR codes powered by GS1 allow brands and retailers to share richer, more trusted information — at the point of sale, at home, or anywhere in between. Tesco is helping to lead the way, demonstrating how digital product identity can unlock both commercial and consumer value.”

The rollout in the UK forms part of a global transformation, with GS1 supporting pilots across 48 countries representing 88 per cent of the world’s GDP. International brands and retailers including Walmart, Amazon, PepsiCo, and L’Oréal are already using QR codes powered by GS1 to enhance digital transparency, supply chain resilience, and regulatory compliance.

The global goal is for all point-of-sale systems to be capable of scanning GS1-powered QR codes by the end of 2027, running alongside existing barcode systems. Walker added: “With awareness rising, implementation accelerating and the benefits increasingly evident, the shift to QR codes powered by GS1 is becoming a reality for businesses across the UK and around the world. We’re proud to support Tesco and our wider community in preparing for this new era of retail.”