Update on GS1

In recent weeks manufacturer coupons with the GS1DataBar, as the only bar code, have entered the marketplace.  Retailers will being seeing these coupons inlarger numbers in the weeks and months to come. The expectation is that most retailers are able to process them at thecheckout.  The National GrocersAssociation found that just 55% of independent grocers were prepared to handlethe DataBar at the checkout, with another 10% expected to be ready in the firsthalf of 2012.

The Joint Industry Coupon Committee (JICC), themulti-association industry group that sets coupon policies, originally setJanuary 2010 as the voluntary launch date of DataBar-only coupons without theUPC-A.  However, it became clear thatmany retailers were still not prepared, so the issuing of the DataBar-onlycoupons was postponed until the end of 2011 or the first quarter of 2012.

In the coming months and years, GS1 Member Organizationswill continue to work with their retailer communities to determine when GS1 DataBarwill be used in open trade on any items between 2012 and 2014.  At this point, 2014 is the date when GS1DataBar can be used globally in any open trade on any product.

To be ready for GS1 DataBar, your POS system needs to havethe scanning hardware and the POS software, including your back officeapplication, that maintain the POS item files capable of reading and processingthis format.  If you need to know if yourPOS system is ready, please contact an STCR Representative at (607) 757-0181.