Bar code gains strategic role in the production chain

Present in gondolas, distribution centers and online shopping, the barcode has expanded its function in the production chain. More than identifying products, the standard has come to concentrate information that connects industry, retail, logistics and consumer.

Data from the survey “Industry trends”, conducted by the Brazilian Automation Association-GS1 Brazil, show that the barcode is already incorporated into the operations of companies. According to a survey conducted with 195 companies from the five regions of the country between November and December 2025, 89% of industries state that commercial partners require the use of standardized identification to place orders and market products. Worldwide, the most common standard is the linear or two-dimensional GS1 barcode, which is “bipped” about 10 million times in 150 countries.

The requirement of a global standard established by the market accompanies the transformation of consumption and distribution operations.With greater integration between physical stores, e-commerce, logistics centers and management systems, the barcode has come to support processes related to sales, inventory control, invoice issuance and traceability.

The survey points out that 76% of industries use barcodes throughout the line of products marketed. The impact also appears in the billing. 70% of the revenue of the participating companies come from items identified with the standard.

The survey also shows that the technology is present in both physical retail and online sales.For 92% of companies, the barcode is important for face-to-face operations.In e-commerce, the index reaches 89%.

The advancement of traceability also appears among the main movements observed by the research.In sectors such as food, medicines, logistics and consumer goods, tracking the origin and movement of products has become part of the management of the production chain.

According to the study, 92% of respondents associate the barcode with the issuance of invoices and integration with ERP systems. The standard allows recording information on manufacturing, storage, transportation and distribution of products throughout the operation.

Among the companies consulted, 68% claim to have implemented traceability processes, in a complete or partial way, which improves the supply chain.