Is the GS1 Digital Link QR code replacing UPC barcodes?
Is the GS1 Digital Link QR code replacing UPC barcodes?
To encourage manufacturers to integrate a 2D barcode alongside the existing UPC, GS1 has set a Sunset Date of 2027. However, for this to be successful, stores need to educate their staff on barcode orientation, and the industry needs to communicate and educate on usability issues. Additionally, coordinated efforts must be made to help packages marked with an additional QR code transition to the GS1 Digital Link. The printing industry must also evolve to a more digital process to encode supplemental GTIN information. Considering all these factors, it will take a while before the UPC is retired.
The short answer is not in the near or immediate future. Before the UPC barcode becomes obsolete, there are various technological and behavioral obstacles that need to be overcome.
The widely used UPC barcode is unlikely to become obsolete in the short term. This is primarily due to various technological and behavioral obstacles that must be overcome before significant changes occur. As a result, leading brands will continue to rely on traditional UPC and 2D codes for their products.
One key factor contributing to the persistence of UPC barcodes is that some retailers have yet to upgrade their point-of-sale (POS) checkouts to read newer codes. Companies looking to adopt new barcode technology may need more support from specific retailers, which could limit their ability to reach certain markets or customers.
Of course, this does not mean companies should avoid exploring new barcode options altogether. Using the new GS1 Digital Link QR codes has many potential benefits, such as improved inventory tracking and more efficient supply chain management. However, companies need to approach this transition with carefulness.
In particular, companies should be careful when assigning their Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) and managing their product information. Doing so can ensure that their products are correctly identified and tracked throughout the supply chain. This approach will ultimately help them fully reap the benefits of any new barcode technology they adopt.