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With GS1 Sunrise 2027 around the corner, retail point-of-sale is experiencing its biggest shift since the introduction of the traditional UPC/EAN barcode. GS1 Digital Link turns a simple QR code into a multi-purpose tool that serves checkout scanners, inventory systems, and shoppers' smartphones all at once. Here is everything you need to know about how GS1 Digital Link works and how to get your systems and packaging ready before 2027 arrives.

Every day, millions of state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards are scanned at retail checkouts, airport security checkpoints, bank onboarding desks, and hotel reception counters. Behind nearly all of these physical identity verifications is a two-dimensional barcode printed on the back of the card: the AAMVA-compliant PDF417 barcode.

UPC and EAN barcodes remain the backbone of global retail in 2026, powering billions of product scans every day. From supermarkets and warehouses to e-commerce and mobile shopping apps, these standardized barcodes enable fast checkouts, accurate inventory management, and seamless product identification. Discover 30+ surprising UPC/EAN statistics and fun facts that highlight why barcode technology continues to drive modern commerce.

By the end of 2027, many leading beverage brands, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Red Bull, are adopting QR codes and other 2D barcodes as part of the GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative. These digital codes go beyond traditional barcodes by enabling faster retail operations while giving consumers instant access to product information, nutrition facts, recycling guidance, authenticity verification, promotions, and sustainability details with a simple smartphone scan.

The countdown to GS1 Sunrise 2027 is well underway, marking a pivotal shift in the world of global supply chain standards. By this milestone, businesses across the globe are expected to fully transition to 2D barcodes, a move that promises to revolutionize industries from retail to healthcare.

Zebra Technologies has officially certified the Android application Barcode Scanner by barKoder version 1.6.8! Following extensive performance and integration testing at Zebra’s Global Enablement Center, our Android demo app has earned official validation for full operational compatibility across Zebra’s premier mobile computing devices.