Top Barcode Statistics for 2024: Reports and Insights
QR TIGER QR Code Generator compiles a list of significant barcode statistics from various studies and reports that prove the technology’s growing importance for businesses worldwide and how it influences the future of global commerce and trade.
Dive right into the details.
Table of Contents
What is the main purpose of a barcode?
Barcodes are recognizable as a series of black lines and white spaces usually found at the back of products and packaging.
While they’re often overlooked by most consumers, they are crucial tools for any business worldwide to monitor and manage their supply chains.
They act as unique identifiers for specific items. This makes them especially useful for quickly identifying, tracking, and managing the items.
Norman Joseph Woodland invented barcode technology in 1952. Woodland was inspired by Morse code and a problem that needed to be solved.
Fun Fact: It was first scanned on a pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit chewing gum.
Barcodes have come a long way since then, marking how far supply chain processes have come, how businesses conduct their workflows, and the way inventory management has only gotten more accurate.
Scanning a barcode can lead to a world of information about a product or package, such as its description and price. There are two major types of barcodes: one-dimensional (1D) barcodes and two-dimensional (2D) barcodes.
Types of barcodes
1D vs 2D barcodes — what’s the difference?
For starters, 1D barcodes are the original linear design that we’re used to seeing in grocery stores and retail. Recognizable as thick and thin stripes, they are both easy to make and read via a scanner.
There are plenty of barcode types that serve their own purposes, such as the Universal Product Code (UPC) used for distribution and point of sale or the Interleaved Two of Five (ITF) for larger packages like cases or cartons.
Despite their many uses, 1D barcodes are not without limitations, which is why GS1 2D barcodes (GS1 QR codes) were introduced to address a lack of storage capacity and compatibility with complex data.
Global Standards 1 (GS1), a non-profit that sets the global standards for barcodes, fortifies the QR code we all know and makes it vital to maintaining consistent and clear communication across the supply chain.
2024’s top barcode statistics you should know
We’ve narrowed it down to the nine most relevant barcode-related statistics, so take a look and let the numbers speak for themselves:
Barcodes must be on at least 70% of supermarket items
According to IBM (International Business Machines Corporation), one of the world’s largest IT companies, to achieve cost savings, the UPC barcode would need to be printed on at least 70% of a grocery’s products.
Barcodes are typically overlooked as an avenue for cutting costs. However, they can be a remarkably profitable way to reduce human error and improve efficiency.
90% adoption rate or barcodes for inventory and POS
According to a study by GS1 US, 90% of major global retailers use barcodes for inventory management and point-of-sale (POS) systems.
This is because barcodes help track inventory in real-time, avoiding stockouts or overstocking. Barcode systems are also a commonplace feature in stores, guaranteeing customers are charged the correct price for every item.
5 billion+ global barcode scans
Over 5 billion barcodes are scanned daily across the world. Today, barcode statistics show more than 2 million companies, especially those in the retail industry, use GS1 standardized barcodes that are put to use every day.
Furthermore, over 1 million products worldwide have been sold with the Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode.
Enhanced accuracy of LPN barcodes from 70% to 98%
License Plate Number (LPN) barcodes are used to manage items and track inventory.
These barcodes typically fall under the GS1 umbrella, ensuring they are where they’re supposed to be and can be located anywhere in the world.
With Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), the accuracy of stock identification and management has risen from 70% to 98%.
Barcode evolution shows that 25% are inclined toward sustainable materials
In light of the already devastating effects of climate change, companies are moving in eco-friendly directions for their manufacturing, packaging, and distribution processes.
Around 25% of barcode manufacturers are now putting greater emphasis on sustainable, eco-friendly materials in an effort to lessen environmental impact.
33% of restaurants vouch for QR codes
In the latest Restaurant Readiness Index, a comprehensive evaluation of the industry’s growth developed by PYMNTS and Paytronix, it says that 33% of restaurant owners can claim how beneficial QR codes have been for their business.
Even customers are pleased with these little squares. 82% view them as a contactless, quicker, and more hygienic way of making payments, keeping the flow of customers in and out of the restaurant swift and steady.
GS1 barcode statistics reveal 10 billion+ scans each day
This is a remarkable feat for GS1 QR codes, helping millions of organizations and multiple industries such as hospitals, construction, retail, and manufacturers identify, track, and manage data in a standardized way.
A reliable QR code maker can create a GS1 digital link QR code that is editable, customizable to align with branding, and has the benefit of tracking and monitoring QR performance.
64% in favor of adopting QR codes in Russia
A survey by Statista of Russian participants reveals a 64% positive reception of QR codes. This illustrates an awareness and understanding of QR codes' use cases in our daily lives.
This influx of support may stem from active promotions and campaigns by the Russian government, encouraging its people to accept QR codes as an easy way to access information and services.
QR code reach increases by 96%
Believe it or not, QR codes weren’t always swimming in popularity as they are now.
In 2011, only 6.2% of smartphone users scanned a QR code in the US, and this number remained stagnant until Snapchat reinvented QR codes as Snapcodes in 2017.
Gaining millions of scans per day, Snapchat fast-tracked the QR code trend and virtually set QR codes up for a 94% growth in interactions from 2018 to 2020 and a 96% increase in reach.
25-30% use QR codes in developed countries
Industrialized nations like Germany, France, the UK, and the US were among those studied in 2014. It was found that 25-30% of the population from these regions use QR codes.
In recent years, QR usage has only grown along with technological developments and customer needs, with many other countries rolling out a GS1 QR code to keep up with the demand for more information.
68% of all QR code users are aged 24 to 54
This list of barcode facts includes a whopping number of 68% accounts for QR code users between the ages of 24 and 54, while 18% for those ages 55 and over, and only 14% for ages 23 and below.
This is a significant finding, as many assume modern technology is targeted toward younger populations. However, the global widespread awareness and usage of QR codes make them suitable marketing tools for anyone and everyone.
QR code payments are forecasted to rise by 17.2%
In a QR code forecast by SNS Insider, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for QR code payments is expected to be 17.2% from 2023 to 2030.
Interestingly, Western markets are slower on the uptake of QR codes compared to Asian countries like China and Japan. This could be attributed to cultural preferences and established foundations for credit and debit cards.
However, it is worth noting that they are not far behind, especially when the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic pushed businesses to adapt to digital systems and payment methods.
29% of all worldwide smartphone users will pay via QR codes by 2025
Current QR code statistics predict that 29% or over 2 billion smartphone users worldwide will use QR codes to make online, contactless payments by the year 2025.
As more people use smartphones and learn how to integrate QR codes with their digital wallets, this prediction is more likely to come true.
The introduction of barcodes in the supply chain has become an indispensable tool for most.
91% of iOS and 86% of Android devices are equipped with QR scanners
With smartphone technology introducing new updates, models, and features every year or so, the arrival of built-in QR scanners was inevitable.
These scanners, found in both iOS and Android phones, get rid of the inconvenience of downloading third-party apps and encourage more people to scan QR codes for efficient access to information.
QR code use is expected to increase by 323%
In 2024, the US will lead the charge of QR code adoption, accounting for 42.2% of worldwide scans in 2022 and an increase of 43.9% in 2023.
In addition, the US has seen a 150% rise in contactless payments via QR codes since March 2019. This speaks volumes for their ease of use, QR code analytics benefits, and information sharing abilities.
Here are some additional barcode facts to note
A few barcode-related things you might find surprising:
QR codes are inscribed on graves
Humans across time and cultures have found unique ways to celebrate life and mourn their dead. Whether you subscribe to the Buddhist way of life or the spiritual beliefs of Native Americans, diversity in dying is vast.
Dave Quiring Jr., who inherited his father’s custom headstone business, continues the age-old human tradition of honoring the dead by incorporating QR codes into his parents’ gravestones located in Seattle’s Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park.
When scanned, these codes can lead visitors to a page that tells the life story of departed loved ones, keeping their memory alive with a neat little square.
Edible barcodes exist
No, we’re not kidding! TruTag Technologies, a company that digitizes consumables and other products, creates microscopic, edible barcodes to authenticate medication, food, and vaping pods.
Pangaea Ventures and Happiness Capital have financially backed this project in an effort to engineer new solutions further.
These minuscule barcodes are made out of nanoporous silica that is safe to place directly on consumable products.
Matthew Cohen, director at Pangaea, says, “Pangaea is excited to partner with TruTag and help the company expand its team and product portfolio.
We believe TruTag’s edible barcode technology will help increase consumer confidence and ultimately save lives.”
What would the best QR code generator look like?
As 1D and 2D barcodes draw more consumers to visit businesses, it is safe to say they will not disappear anytime soon. Here are some important things to look for when choosing the right QR code maker for you:
- Safe and secure. A reliable generator complies with the relevant data privacy regulations, such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
- Wide range of solutions. A competent QR code generator like QR TIGER offers a variety of QR code solutions you can choose from (e.g., PDF, vCard, file, menu, etc.)
- Fully customizable. It is crucial to have an array of customization options at your disposal so you can align your QR codes with your businesses and encourage brand recall.
- Free and paid plans. Many generators online offer decent free plans as well as paid plans with advanced and competitive features to match the price.
- Tracking and analytics. If you have a business, trackable QR codes are a must. You can use this data to monitor the performance of your marketing campaigns and improve future efforts.
Sunrise 2027
Businesses worldwide, once relying on one-dimensional (1D) barcodes like UPC/EAN barcodes and the GS1 Data Matrix code, are beginning to transition to two-dimensional (2D) barcodes or QR codes.
This shift is otherwise known as Sunrise 2027, which marks the target date set by GS1 US. 2D barcodes present an opportunity for retailers and consumers to access more product information and improve traceability.
These next-generation barcodes also mean some impressive GS1 QR code generator developments are coming out, so creating a GS1 digital link QR code is made simple and conforms to global standards.
Scanning the future one barcode at a time
The barcode statistics don’t lie. Barcodes, once a curious new thing, have evolved into a logistics tool of epic proportions. They have found their way on items as small as automotive parts and sticks of gum to massive shipping crates.
Supply chains have never been the same, with 2D barcodes introducing an age of complex data storage and smart communication across different sectors.
Looking ahead, it’s certain that modern businesses will benefit from using the best QR code generator advancements to steer them toward a future of cost-efficiency, convenience, and quick access to information.
FAQs
What do barcodes tell you?
Barcodes can store information that can tell you information about a product, such as its price, manufacturer, expiration, and batch numbers.
What is the best QR code generator?
There are plenty of QR code makers online, each with pros and cons. The “best” will depend entirely on your individual or business needs.
When searching for the ideal generator, first identify the specific features you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to pay for premium features.
What is the most data in a barcode?
There are many different kinds of barcodes with varying data storage capacities. The highest density it can store is up to 7,089 characters in a single label.
Are barcodes more advanced now?
Barcode evolution, dating back to 1974, shows many improvements from smart labels, better security, and improved scanners.
GS1 also creates standards and regulations to ensure their compatibility with other types of barcodes and global scanning systems.
