The end of barcodes is coming. Biedronka is supposed to lead the way

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Work on creating barcodes that streamlined and automated trade began before World War II. In 1932, Wallace Flint was writing his master’s thesis at Harvard University on automatic checkout points in supermarkets. On June 26, 1974, the first item bearing the Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode passed through the register at Marsh Department Store in Troy, Miami County, Ohio. The goods were a package of “Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit” chewing gum. Two years later, the European Commodity Coding System EAN was created.

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Since then, technology has advanced significantly, providing new possibilities. Trade wants to take advantage of them. According to the portal dlahandlu.pl, Jeronimo Martins Polska (owner of Biedronka) also committed to taking actions aimed at preparing the Polish market to support 2D codes.

GS1, a non-profit organization that develops and maintains global standards for effective business communication, including barcodes, explains that 2D codes have a graphic layout that consists of dark modules arranged in a square on a light background. The text data hidden in them can be read both horizontally and vertically. All you need is a scanner or a smartphone camera.

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Such 2D code, for example, may refer to:

• website pages of a given product;
• websites with promotions or information for consumers;
• websites with certificates from external issuers;
• lists of potential allergens;
• nutritional table;
• how to use the product (e.g. recipes).

Example of 2D codes | GS1

“Following the commitment of the Consumer Goods Forum and the GS1 Council by 2027, cash register systems should read two types of codes: the already widely known linear (1D) and two-dimensional 2D” – we read on the GS1 website.