Tesco has announced it will replace traditional linear barcodes with QR codes across its own-label sausage range, becoming the first UK supermarket to switch to the new scanning technology across an entire product category.

The supermarket said the “revolutionary” move will see 13 products, including pork sausages and chipolatas, switch to QR codes developed in partnership with its supplier Cranswick.

Tesco said QR codes can store significantly more information than conventional barcodes, enabling retailers to enhance product traceability, improve stock management and reduce food waste. The codes also allow shoppers to access additional content, such as nutritional information, recipes and promotional campaigns, via their smartphones.

The supermarket expects improved operational benefits across inventory management as a result of the switch; QR codes enable retailers to track batch-level data more precisely, which Tesco said supports targeted recalls and prevents unnecessary product removal. The company added that the technology could also allow stores to block the sale of effected items at the till and contact customers who have purchased specific batches.

The initiative also aims to improve stock control by providing better visibility of product shelf life and distribution. Tesco believes this will help stores order more accurately and reduce waste linked to overstocking or missed expiry dates.

Tesco confirmed that traditional barcodes will remain on branded products during the transition period.

The retailer added that the move forms part of a wider industry initiative led by data management and international standards organisation GS1 UK to modernise product identification and improve supply chain visibility. This is part of GS1’s broader strategy to replace linear barcodes globally. The organisation has set industry targets for retailers and manufacturers to prepare systems capable of scanning QR codes at point of sale.

Tesco development and change director Peter Draper said that it is a “tiny and almost invisible” change at the checkout, but is a significant step forward for the industry. He added it could lead to exciting developments such as personalised digital tools to help customer manage the food they buy and prevent waste at home.

“Moving to QR codes will help us reduce food waste, improve stock control and unlock new digital benefits for our customers,” he said. “Customers will continue to shop and pay in exactly the same way, but they’ll have the option to access far richer information about the products they buy simply by using their smartphones.”

The idea for the barcode originated in America in 1948 when two graduate students, Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver, began developing a system for capturing product information at point of sale in supermarkets.

Their invention, using machine-readable data, was based on the Morse Code. After various trials the system was internationally accepted as a retail industry standard on 3 April 1973.

On 2 October 1979, the first barcode was used in the UK on a box of teabags.

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