Barcode Blog
Here we discuss some of the current questions about barcodes. We also share information about new developments in the world of barcodes.
We are all familiar with the linear barcodes seen on retail products. Globally, the first commercial product scanned using a barcode was a pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum on June 26, 1974, at Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio — using a UPC barcode. Subsequently, in Ireland, barcode implementation followed the broader European rollout. Specifically, GS1 Ireland (formerly EAN Ireland) introduced EAN‑13 codes in the late 1970s after the European Article Numbering Association formed in 1977. Although we don’t know the exact date and location of the first scan in Ireland, it very likely occurred in the late 1970s or early 1980s, shortly after retailers began adopting EAN‑13 standards across Europe.
Meanwhile, Irish retailers and brands increasingly embrace 2D barcodes to deliver richer, interactive customer experiences. For instance, companies like Kinsale Mead have already implemented smart QR barcodes (2D Digital Link QR Codes) that embed Global Trade Item Number (GTINs) with direct links to product pages, traceability data, and sustainability information.
Moreover, Irish supermarket chains, including Tesco’s UK/Ireland stores, have piloted next-generation QR codes on fresh produce and meat to share use‑by dates, allergen information, and batch numbers at point‑of‑sale. Furthermore, the global “Sunrise 2027” initiative drives adoption, aiming for all retail POS scanners to process 2D barcodes by 2027—paving the way for advanced inventory control, digital marketing, and dynamic pricing.
Blog Topics:
> Choosing international Barcodes