STORES Magazine - July 2008 - (Page 92)

CONSIDER THIS / POINT OF VIEW Preparing for GS1 DataBar Codes BY MATT SCHLER We all face such strict demands on our professional time that it is easy to view any change in the status quo as “just a new problem to solve.” We sometimes miss the opportunities that can be found in these changes. These opportunities and how we exploit them can define our organization and separate us from the competition. A new type of bar code, GS1 DataBar, the issuer of the coupon and provide only has been approved for marking trade 100 specific purchase requirement and items in the retail supply chain. GS1, the value combinations. GS1 DataBar codes global retail standards-setting organizacan contain up to 70 digits and provide tion, has set Jan. 1, 2010 as the “sunrise” more information to those in the supply date when all manufacturers worldwide chain, including store managers. must be prepared to mark and read packBeginning this year, an interim coupon ages with GS1 DataBar codes as an alterformat is being used by many manufacturnative to the EAN/UPC bar codes in use ers that includes two bar-code types: a today. Retailers, in turn, should be ready UPC-A code and a GS1 DataBar code. By to scan packages with the new codes at Jan. 1, 2010, these coupons will have only point of sale. the new GS1 DataBar code. The new GS1 DataBar code is smaller than a current UPC code but it has the caThe opportunity pability of containing additional valuable Point-of-sale bar-code scanners must be data like product “sell-by” dates or coupon able to read the four variants of GS1 Datadata (purchase requirements, expiration Bar code and must be able to return data date). in the form of GS1 Application Identifiers Matt Schler Within the retail industry, GS1 DataBar to the POS application. Some recently inis general manager, codes are meant to address limitations stalled scanners were shipped with GS1 retail fixed scanning business unit, with some current bar-code marking appliDataBar code reading capability disabled, for Datalogic Scanning. cations, including: since most retailers are not prepared to Small items. Many manufacturers use handle GS1 DataBar code information at very truncated forms of EAN-13 and UPC-A bar codes, this time. Some bar-code scanners currently installed do which are difficult for POS scanners to read. GS1 DataBar not have the capability to read all of the GS1 DataBar is capable of encoding data in about half the space recodes. quired by EAN-13 and UPC-A bar codes. In addition, just because a bar code scanner can read Fresh produce. With increased consumer demand for GS1 DataBar codes does not mean that current POS apan expanding variety of fresh produce, it is important that plication software is capable of interpreting or exploiting such products be identified exactly. GS1 DataBar codes fit the additional data that may be present. small produce stickers with the produce type and the supNow is the time to begin preparing for the new GS1 Dataplier uniquely identified. Bar codes by ensuring that your POS bar code scanners Variable-measure fresh foods. Existing UPC-A bar are capable of reading the new codes and by verifying that codes used to mark variable weight packages (such as your POS software application can accept the data from meat and deli items) provide the price, but suffer the same the new codes and interpret it correctly. problems seen in produce – neither the precise product By consulting your POS scanner and software provider, type nor the manufacturer is in the bar code. GS1 DataBar you can begin to eliminate any operational problems that bar codes can contain additional information such as may arise as the new codes begin to filter into your supply weight, price, and sell-by date. chain. More important, you can prepare now to gain the Coupons. The System 5 UPC-A coupon codes used in benefits of the additional information and capabilities afNorth America are limited by their inability to fully identify forded with the GS1 DataBar code. 92 STORES / JULY 2008 WWW.STORES.ORG http://WWW.STORES.ORG

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of STORES Magazine - July 2008

STORES Magazine - July 2008 Contents Executive Editor's Page President's Page Dearth of Retail Creativity What Shoppers Think Wow, Is That a Wawa? 10 Things You May Have Missed Numbers Worth Counting Full Price/Markdown Retail People Merchandising Strategy Concept2Watch Point of Sale Outsourcing Human Resources Top 100 Retailers Store Design RFID IT Operations Systems Managements LP Vantage Point Newsbeat Cover Story Emergency Response Systems Background Checks LOEB Retail Letter Point of View NRF News Retail Crossword Retail Industry Calendar Last Laugh

STORES Magazine - July 2008

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