Tesco, the UK's largest food retailer, is trialling QR codes on a selection of its own-label fresh produce, including meat and fruit and vegetables. The new technology, which is still in its early stages, could soon replace traditional barcodes, allowing them to be scanned at checkouts and via mobile devices.
Currently being trialled in 20% of stores in the South of England, the project involves ten suppliers. The QR codes will not only make purchasing easier, but will also provide customers with additional information such as nutritional data, best before dates, alternative suggestions and details of the product’s origin.
Isabela De Pedro, director of supply chain development, explained that this innovation aims to improve transparency and consumer understanding. “Current packaging has space limitations and a lot of regulatory information to include. QR codes open up new communication possibilities,” she said at the Retail Technology Show 2025. Tesco has already experimented with alternatives to traditional codes, such as using laser engravings on avocados to reduce waste.
