50th anniversary of the first barcode scan; GS1 US introduces next-gen barcodes for modern commerce.

50 years after the first barcode scan, GS1 US celebrates the 'Scanniversary' and announces the development of next-generation barcodes to support modern commerce. The first UPC scan, a pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum, took place at a Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio, on June 26, 1974. Today, the barcode identifies over 1 billion products worldwide and is scanned more than 10 billion times daily. To address evolving consumer expectations and complex supply chains, GS1 US is promoting the adoption of new data-rich 2D barcodes like QR codes, which are expected to be widely adopted by retailers and manufacturers by 2027.

June 25, 2024
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