dm Tests QR-Code Checkout Technology in Selected German Stores

The project is being carried out under the professional supervision of GS1, the international organisation that maintains and develops the global coding standards used in commerce, Lebensmittelpraxis reports.

According to dm, a nationwide rollout will only be considered once the jointly developed standards have been fully implemented and reliably tested with industry partners. Currently, German retailers can extract only product numbers from linear barcodes, while 2D codes can provide additional data such as expiry dates, batch numbers or digital product details.

Beiersdorf is among the first industry partners involved in the pilot. Its 8×4 deodorants already feature QR codes based on the GS1 Digital Link standard, enabling both checkout processing and smartphone‑based consumer information. The company plans to expand the new barcode generation to further brands this year.

To support the transition, dm is equipping its checkout counters with new imager‑based scanners that capture codes like a digital camera and convert pixel patterns into usable data. The retailer says the tests help prepare for the upcoming generational shift in barcode technology. GS1 Germany is working with manufacturers and retailers on the broader migration to 2D codes, aiming to eliminate the need for multiple barcodes on packaging in the future.