A MAJOR shopping feature could face the axe in a bold new retail shake-up. The days of traditional bar codes could be numbered, with experts predicting they’ll disappear within five years as “smart” QR codes revolutionise shopping. Advertisement 2 Product barcodes could completely disappear within five years and be replaced with 'smart' QR codes Credit: SWNS 2 The new technology would enable consumers to see anything from a product’s environmental impact to the labour standards involved in its production Credit: Getty These cutting-edge codes, are already being tested in 48 countries and could give shoppers instant access to detailed information about products.
A quick scan with a smartphone could inform buyers from everything about their product's environmental impact to ethical production standards. The helpful feature will also alert shoppers of any harmful ingredients, expired goods, or recalled items. Retail leaders are backing the major change with a recent study revealing that 96% believe QR codes will dominate by 2030.
Advertisement read more on Retail changes XMAS TIME Bargain retailer is making big change to shopping hours over Christmas NO STARS Inside fastest-growing online retailer Studio as it makes 'awful' refund change The study was carried out by by GS1 UK and major global brands, including PepsiCo, Walmart, Tesco, and P&G, are already adopting the innovation. Anne Godfrey, CEO of GS1 UK, said the shift comes as shoppers demand more transparency. She .
