Consumers today are increasingly insistent on having comprehensive product details at their fingertips, and transparent brands are often rewarded with customer loyalty. Concerns about health, well-being, and sustainability of products are top of mind. Whether researching online or reading labels, consumers are looking for information about ingredients, sourcing practices, allergens, and environmental impact.
2D barcodes embedded with GS1 Digital Link offer a way for brands to break free from the limited real estate of product packaging. With the scan of a smartphone, a customer can access health and nutrition information—including known allergens—and instructions for safe use, recycling, and disposal. With web-enabled 2D barcodes, a brand can tell their sustainability story and provide information about certifications or the environmental impact of their product. This same code will be enabled for point-of-sale scanning, too, creating a revolution in the shopping experience not seen since the UPC’s first scan 50 years ago.