On 28 October 2021, Parla Deli, a small gourmet shop in Brazil, scanned the world’s first 2D barcode encoded with a GS1 Digital Link.
This was no ordinary point of sale scan. The beep at the till that morning was the sound of the future – the world’s first-ever scan of a two-dimensional QR Code powered by GS1 Digital Link.
Until recently, Parla Deli had very few automated processes. Store employees managed orders and stock levels manually – a labour-intensive and inefficient method that was prone to human error. In fact, the shop would sometimes run out of items due to expiration dates arriving before the items could be sold.
Similarly, they would occasionally have shortages when some items sold better than expected due to a mismatch between production and actual sales averages.
Owner Marcelo Silva turned to GS1 Brazil for help in implementing a solution built upon 2D QR Codes encoded with GS1 Digital Link. Unlike legacy barcodes that primarily serve the needs of retailers, QR codes offer benefits for everyone, from manufacturers to retailers to logistics providers — and of course consumers.
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GS1 Digital Link
The GS1 Digital Link standard enables GS1 identifiers to be used as a gateway to online information.
2D barcodes
Now more than ever, consumers are looking for product transparency. Find out how advanced barcodes could power the future of commerce.
Implementation guides and resources
Here are our step-by-step guides on how to connect your products to the digital world.
GS1 Digital Link training
Our Digital Link course will help you understand how you can improve your business operations and connect with consumers like never before.