Early Tuesday, Tesco announced a significant change: it has switched its entire product range over to QR codes.
This rollout begins with Tesco’s own-label sausages, affecting 13 sausage lines.
The aim is clear. Tesco wants to provide shoppers with more detailed information about their food.
By scanning these QR codes, customers can access nutritional content, origin, and traceability details.
QR codes can store more information than traditional linear barcodes. This technology allows supermarkets to improve stock control and reduce food waste.
Additionally, during product recalls, QR codes enable retailers to pinpoint exact batches affected.
This capability allows Tesco to block the sale of affected products at the till—enhancing customer safety.
Peter Draper, Tesco’s development and change director, stated, “Moving to QR codes will help us reduce food waste, improve stock control and unlock new digital benefits for our customers.”
Tesco is the first UK supermarket to implement this system across its entire range.
As of midday, details remain unconfirmed regarding how quickly customers will adapt to this new system.
Reactions from shoppers and industry experts are expected in the coming days.