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ARTICLE · 20 OCTOBER 2025

Beyond The Barcode: How QR Codes Are Reshaping Retail

Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey
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Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey

Under the leadership of managing partner Martin Hirst, the firm continues to invest in people and...

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Barcodes revolutionised retail with their familiar black-and-white stripes in the late 70s and 80s. Today, those same stripes are facing their biggest challenger yet in the form of dynamic QR codes that could transform...

United KingdomConsumer Protection
Nathan Peacey
Nathan Peacey
Ella McCarthy
Ella McCarthy
Elin Bebbington
Elin Bebbington
Brighton Dube
Brighton Dube

Barcodes revolutionised retail with their familiar black-and-white stripes in the late 70s and 80s. Today, those same stripes are facing their biggest challenger yet in the form of dynamic QR codes that could transform how consumers discover, understand and interact with products. Retailers are cluing into harnessing the full versatility offered by QR codes, with Tesco's ongoing trial of next-generation QR codes on its products changing how consumers interact with goods at the point of decision.

QR codes enhanced by GS1 technology unlock layers of product information in place of a static barcode that takes up space. A scan can pull up sourcing details, nutritional information, allergy warnings, recycling instructions or recipe suggestions. For consumers who want to know more about what they are buying, this is a step change. Consumers no longer need to hunt for tiny text on the back of the pack, and for those with accessibility needs, information that can be read

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