Tesco considers replacing barcodes with QR codes

Tesco is considering replacing hundreds of product barcodes with QR code technology in its latest digital innvovation.

Britain’s largest grocer is trialling the codes across 12 own-brand fresh produce and meat products, which currently direct shoppers to its listing online.

The technology, which is still in the early stages of development, will shortly be available to scan at both the till, replacing the need for traditional barcodes, as well as on consumer’s mobile devices to provide them with additional information of the product.

Tesco is working with 10 suppliers and is trialling the new packaging across “about 20%” of its store estate in the South of England, supply chain development and change director Isabela De Pedro told Retail Gazette.

De Pedro said the technology could also be used to provide customers with details about the product’s nutritional information, use-by dates, alternative suggestions and recommendations.

“It’s certainly our intention to make sure the customers better understand the product,” she said, speaking seperately at the Retail Technology Show 2025.

“You’ve got a real limit on the current packaging and there are so many regulatory things you have to put on there, that gets priority.

“The QR opens up the door to do all of this stuff…to talk about origin, nutritionals, health, alternatives, locally sourced stuff,” said De Pedro.

Tesco has been experimenting with new barcode formats for the last couple of years, and last year attempted to swap out traditional stickers on its avocados with laser-etched barcodes in an attempt to reduce waste.

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