KCCI and Three Convenience Store Chains Collaborate Using International Standard QR for Efficient Product Management

Introduction of GS1 QR Standard Code
Supports 7,000 Numeric and 4,000 Alphanumeric Characters
Utilized for Various Information Delivery and Marketing

On the 30th, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with three convenience store companies?BGF Retail, GS Retail, and Korea Seven?at the Sangyohui Building in Jung-gu, Seoul, agreeing to cooperate in utilizing the international standard GS1 standard QR code.

Jang Geun-mu, Director of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Distribution and Logistics Promotion Institute, and representatives of the three convenience store companies are posing for a commemorative photo after signing the agreement. (From left: Park Jun-yong, Executive Director of BGF Retail Co., Ltd., Jang Geun-mu, Director of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Distribution and Logistics Promotion Institute, Kim Cheon-ju, Executive Director of GS Retail Co., Ltd., Gu In-hoe, Executive Director of Korea Seven Co., Ltd.). Photo by Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The QR-type standard code can contain up to 7,000 numeric characters or 4,000 alphabetic characters. Due to its large information capacity, it can manage various data beyond product calculation, such as product traceability, expiration dates, recycling, nutritional information, and suppliers. The existing barcode standard could only hold 13 numeric characters.

Following this MOU, the three convenience store companies plan to build internal systems capable of processing and calculating products with standard QR codes attached. Once the system is established, they will gradually introduce the standard QR code to products labeled with barcodes in convenience stores.

It is expected that the standard QR code will first be applied to private brand (PB) bottled water and ready-to-eat foods, which convenience stores label themselves. Attaching the standard QR code can prevent the sale of expired products. It is also expected to enable rapid tracking and management of products requiring recalls. Additionally, it can provide consumers with product information such as recipes and be used for marketing purposes like price reductions on products nearing their expiration dates.

Jang Geun-mu, Director of the Distribution and Logistics Promotion Institute at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "As more consumers want diverse information about products, the international standard QR code is expected to become the trend," adding, "We will cooperate with companies to introduce the international standard QR code in line with global trends to benefit consumers, manufacturers, and distributors alike."