Industry giants like Amazon and Morrisons are said to be testing out QR codes for their products, and according to a new report commissioned by GS1 UK, they could replace the traditional method of product identification in stores by 2027.

Kate Hardcastle, retail strategist, said: Consumers’ increasing demand for more information and a better experience will create a survival-of-the-fittest dynamic in retail, even among the sector’s biggest brands. Those which provide greater transparency by giving consumers honest and easily accessed information will have an undeniable competitive advantage.”

Other brands said to be on board with the move include PepsiCo, Walmart, P+G and Loreal.

Anne Godfrey, CEO of GS1 UK, who led the report with FT Longitude said “The invention of the barcode is one of the great, untold stories in the history of our modern world – it is more frequently used than Google. The next generation of barcodes codes – QR codes powered by GS1 – will underpin the next retail revolution to give greater power to the consumer. They will connect physical products to the digital world to give businesses the power to provide the detailed product information consumers are increasingly demanding."