The way we interact with products in stores is evolving, and fast. In a move toward digitisation, Tesco has launched a major trial that could reshape how customers engage with product information at checkout.
As reported by Retail Gazette, the supermarket giant is testing the use of QR codes in place of traditional barcodes on selected fresh produce and meat items in stores across the South of England. If successful, this trial could pave the way for a full-scale rollout across Tesco’s product range, replacing hundreds of existing barcodes in the process.
What’s Changing?
This new technology is still in its early stages, but the idea is simple: QR codes will serve as interactive, multi-functional replacements for standard barcodes. Not only can these codes be scanned at tills, but customers will also be able to scan them using their mobile phones.
What makes QR codes so powerful is the information they can hold. Unlike traditional barcodes, which only carry product identification numbers, QR codes can link to dynamic digital information. Shoppers could soon access:
- Full nutritional profiles
- Use-by dates
- Recipe suggestions
- Information about product origin
- Sustainability and sourcing details
According to Isabela De Pedro, Tesco’s Supply Chain Development and Change Director, this initiative aims to “open the door” for a richer, more informative customer experience—beyond the physical constraints of product packaging.
Trend in Label Innovation
Tesco isn’t new to experimenting with label technology. Just last year, they tested laser-etched barcodes on avocados to cut down on sticker waste an initiative aligned with growing sustainability goals in retail packaging.
This latest QR code trial, however, highlights a broader shift in how brands and retailers are reimagining the role of product labelling and tagging.
What It Means for the Asset Labelling Industry
For Custom Labels Ltd, this is more than just a supermarket trial it’s a signal of what’s to come. The integration of smart labelling, including QR codes and other scannable assets, is set to transform sectors ranging from retail and logistics to manufacturing and healthcare.
Benefits for businesses:
- Digital traceability: Enhanced tracking and traceability throughout the supply chain
- Data-rich packaging: The potential to provide deeper insights for both consumers and internal systems
- Sustainability: Opportunities to reduce waste with smarter, more durable labelling solutions
- Customer engagement: Labels are no longer just identifiers they’re becoming gateways to information
At Custom Labels Ltd, we specialise in high-quality, durable asset labels and tags that can evolve with your business needs. Whether you’re exploring QR code integration, RFID, or long-lasting asset tracking tags, we’re here to help you stay ahead of the curve.
The Next Generation of Labels?
Tesco’s QR code trial is just the beginning. As industries adapt to the demands of digital consumers, label innovation will play a critical role in how products are tracked, marketed, and understood.
Talk to Custom Labels Ltd today to discover how future-proof labelling solutions can support your digital transformation strategy.
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