GS1 US has announced a goal of transitioning the industry from 1D Barcodes to 2D Barcodes by the year 2027. GS1 recently released an article that includes comments from Walmart and P&G, that details how the retail industry will be updating product packaging by 2027 with new 2D barcodes that carry more data – not only providing consumers with unlimited product details (sustainability, ethical sourcing, ingredients etc.), but also retail players with greater supply chain visibility. In order to prepare retailers for this transition, GS1 US has released a “Barcode Capabilities Test Kit” to help businesses understand what the transition will look like for their business.
The GTIN – the Number Behind the Barcode – Was Developed 50 Years Ago and Transformed the Global Economy
GS1 US celebrated the 50th anniversary of the GTIN on March 31st, 2021. Since 1971, the GTIN has revolutionized commerce. GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number and is the product identification number encoded into the ubiquitous UPC barcode. It has become one of the most important supply chain standards in history and a critical tool in the modern-day retail toolbelt.