Retail
There are several different retail sectors, and they all use the GS1 system for automatic identification and data capture (AIDC). GS1 controls the allocation of company prefixes, which form the basis for the EAN/UPC codes that are required in retail transactions.
If a company intends to use barcodes strictly in-house for applications such as inventory, document management, and asset tracking, these barcodes do not need to be registered with GS1. However, if a company intends to sell products through the retail channel, it must become a GS1 member and have a GS1 company prefix assigned to it. The company can then use this number to create its barcodes.
For more information about GS1, refer to http://www.gs1.org/.
The following sections describe the subcategories of the retail sector and any information that is unique to that subcategory.
Trading partners in the alcoholic beverage industry use GS1 standards to improve the effectiveness of the industry's traceability and anti-counterfeiting system. GS1 has created the Wine Supply Chain Traceability Guideline to address the needs of alcoholic beverage supply chain stakeholders, including growers, producers, distributors, transit cellars, and retailers.
The GS1 identification keys that are used in this sector include:
Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
Global Location Number (GLN)
Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)
Application Identifier (AI)
Trading partners in the apparel and general merchandise industry use GS1 standards to improve the effectiveness of the industry's speed-to-market, traceability, product safety, and inventory tracking efforts.
The GS1 identification keys that are used in this sector include:
GLN encoded in GS1-128
GTIN encoded in EAN/UPC, ITF-14, or GS1-128
SSCC encoded in GS1-128
Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI)
Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI)
The consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry was the first to adopt UPC barcodes universally. This promoted standardization of AIDC technology across many other industries.
CPGs, also called fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), are products that are sold in large volumes, quickly and at relatively low cost. Examples include non-durable goods such as soft drinks, toiletries, over-the-counter drugs, processed foods, and many other consumables. They tend to have a short shelf life, either because they are perishable or they are subject to high consumer demand. Sales can also be influenced by holidays and seasons.
The category includes fast-moving consumer electronics, which are typically low-priced generic or easily substitutable consumer electronics, including mobile phones, MP3 players, game players, earphones, headphones, and so on.
Trading partners in the CPG industry use GS1 standards to improve the effectiveness of the industry's distribution, traceability, product safety, and inventory tracking efforts. Additionally, government regulations, like the Food and Drug Administration’s 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and increased consumer pressure for accurate and complete product information continue to drive traceability improvements for food safety. Companies use GS1 standards to ensure that they meet FSMA requirements.
The GS1 identification keys that are used in this sector include:
Trading partners in the food service industry use GS1 standards to improve the effectiveness of the industry's distribution, traceability, food safety, and inventory tracking efforts.
The food service industry has specific, voluntary guidelines for labeling. Some barcode systems are “closed loop,” meaning that they are for internal use only. Closed loop systems need not adhere to GS1 or UPC standards. “Open loop” barcode systems, that is, those that will be used externally, must meet GS1 and UPC guidelines.
For more information, refer to the GS1 Improving Product Information, Efficiency, and Food Safety with GS1 Standards in Food Service document.
The GS1 identification keys that are used in this sector include:
Trading partners in the fresh foods industry use GS1 standards to improve the effectiveness of the industry's distribution, traceability, food safety, and inventory tracking efforts.
GS1 US recommends that retailers in the business of selling loose produce and processing manufacturer coupons implement point-of-sale hardware and software systems to scan and process GS1 DataBar barcodes and 14-digit GTINs.
The US Food and Drug Administration's Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) affects all fresh food categories. It focuses on the creation of a new food safety system with broad preventative measures and accountability.
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), GS1 US, the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), and the United Fresh Produce Association (UFPA) recommend supply-chain-wide adoption of electronic traceability for every case of produce. For more information about the Produce Traceability Initiative, refer to www.producetraceability.org.
The GS1 identification keys that are used in this sector include:
Trading partners in the grocery industry use GS1 standards to improve the effectiveness of the industry's distribution, traceability, food safety, and inventory tracking efforts.
Grocery retailers play an important role in ensuring food safety for consumers by having traceability processes in place to enable fast and precise recalls of potentially harmful products. Recent government regulations, such as the Food and Drug Administration’s 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and increased consumer pressure for accurate and complete product information continue to drive traceability improvements for food safety. Grocery retailers are using GS1 Standards to increase consumer confidence in the products they sell.
The GS1 identification keys that are used in this sector include:
GLN encoded in GS1-128
GTIN encoded in EAN/UPC, ITF-14, GS1-128, or GS1 DataBar
SSCC encoded in GS1-128
GCN encoded in GS1 DataBar
There are two basic forms of merchandise in a retail store: Hardlines and softlines. The term "soft goods" or "softlines" refers to merchandise that is literally soft, such as clothing. "Hard goods" or "hardlines" refer to merchandise that is hard to the touch, such as hardware, housewares, automotive parts, electronics, sporting goods, health and beauty aids, or toys. These are also referred to as "durable goods."
The Hardlines Industry Guideline on Bar Coding 2008, Sixth Edition document, published by the American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA), contains more information about barcoding in the hardlines industry.
The GS1 identification keys that are used in this sector include:
Alcoholic Beverages