Trending Now

Van Cleef & Arpels

Abercrombie & Fitch

Glossary

What is a Barcode used for?

Barcodes have become integral to the retail industry, revolutionizing how businesses track inventory, sales, and customer behavior. These unassuming black lines and white spaces now appear

Published: Jun 26, 2024 3:03 PM

By RETAILBOSS Team

Glossary

Glossary

What is a Barcode used for?

Credit: FooSales

Barcodes have become integral to the retail industry, revolutionizing how businesses track inventory, sales, and customer behavior. These unassuming black lines and white spaces now appear on virtually every product and hold immense power in streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency. This blog post delves into the definition, types, and various examples of barcodes in the retail industry.

What is a Barcode? At its core, a barcode is a rectangular or square image consisting of parallel black lines and white spaces of varying widths. Each pattern corresponds to a unique set of numbers, letters, or symbols that are read by scanners.

These scanners, connected to a database, retrieve and use the information encoded in the barcode, enabling real-time tracking and data management. Barcodes gained significant traction in retail in the 1970s.

In June 1974, the first commercial use of a barcode was on a packet of Wrigley’s gum sold at Marsh’s Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. Since then, they have become indispensable in inventory control, sales operations, and supply chain management.

Types of Barcodes Barcodes come in different forms, primarily categorized into one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) barcodes. 1D Barcodes Universal Product Code (UPC): The UPC is the most common barcode used in the retail industry, particularly in the United States…

Members-only article

Unlock the rest of this story

Join free to keep reading RetailBoss glossary coverage, industry analysis, and market intelligence.

Company

Account name Used publicly if you comment. We encourage your real first name.

Email

Password

Send me RetailBoss newsletter emails through Substack. I can unsubscribe anytime. Confirm that I want to create a free RetailBoss account.

Log in to continue

Free access. No credit card required. Your account is created after you verify your email.

RetailBoss is an independent global news publication and business insights platform built for executives, founders, operators, analysts, marketers, investors, and brand leaders. Our reporting covers the retail shifts across luxury, fashion, beauty, technology and marketing strategy.

Since: 2011
Audience: 50 Million+
Coverage: Global Markets

Our editorial stance

We prioritize news value, evidence, attribution, and practical relevance to retail decision-makers. Sponsored work is identified, and editorial coverage is kept distinct from commercial partnerships.

More from Glossary

Alexandra Mandel v Quince and the Fight for Pricing Transparency

Alexandra Mandel v Quince and the Fight for Pricing Transparency

A new class action against Quince puts the spotlight on how “luxury for less” brands use reference prices, savings claims, and comparison marketing to drive fashion and home purchases online.What the Quince lawsuit claims Alexandra Mandel has filed a proposed…

GlossaryLaw

RETAILBOSS Team8 months ago

What Are the 5 R’s of Retail?

The 5 R’s of retail, introduced by Paul Mazur in 1927, remain foundational principles for successful merchandising and retail management—ensuring that stores deliver exactly what customers want, when and where they want it.These 5 retail principles were established nearly a…

EducationGlossary

RETAILBOSS Team1 year ago

What Does Abandoned Shopping Cart Mean?

An abandoned shopping cart is when a customer adds items to their online cart but leaves the website before completing the purchase—a common challenge for every ecommerce store.In ecommerce, shopping cart abandonment happens when a shopper starts the checkout process…

Glossary

RETAILBOSS Team1 year ago

Difference Between Retail vs Wholesale Business

How To Tell If Retail or Wholesale?

If you’re launching a startup, knowing whether you are a retail or wholesale business is essential for setting up your operations, marketing, and compliance correctly.Many entrepreneurs and business owners find themselves unsure of where they fit on this spectrum, especially…

FAQGlossary

Jeanel Alvarado1 year ago

View all Glossary

Featured Events

Models on a New York Fashion Week runway

New York Fashion Week (September)

Showcasing Spring/Summer collections. One of the most influential fashion events in the world for brands and buyers.

London Fashion Week runway presentation

London Fashion Week (Autumn)

London Fashion Week's September edition presents Spring/Summer collections from leading British and international designers. One of the four pillars of global fashion month, LFW…

Models at Milan Fashion Week

Milan Fashion Week: Women’s Spring Summer 2027

Members-only article Unlock the rest of this story Join free to keep reading RetailBoss retail coverage, industry analysis, and market intelligence. Company Account name…

Models at Paris Fashion Week

Paris Fashion Week (PFW) Women – Spring Summer

Members-only article Unlock the rest of this story Join free to keep reading RetailBoss retail coverage, industry analysis, and market intelligence. Company Account name…

View all events

Recommended Articles

Recommended Retail Price (RRP) for Stores: Definition

Recommended Retail Price (RRP) for Stores: Definition

Maintaining consistent and fair pricing is crucial when competition is fierce and consumer expectations are higher than ever. One way to achieve this is through the Recommended Retail Price (RRP). But what exactly is RRP, and why should it matter…

GlossaryTerminology

Jeanel Alvarado2 years ago

What Does "Very Demure" Mean?

What Does ‘Very Demure’ mean?

In everyday language, the term “demure” is often used to describe someone, typically a woman, who exhibits modesty, shyness, or reservedness in their behavior or appearance. When the adjective “very” is added, the phrase “very demure” intensifies these attributes, signaling…

FAQGlossary

RETAILBOSS Team2 years ago

How To Pronounce Fashion’s Trickiest Brand Names

Ever found yourself hesitating to mention a high-end brand for fear of mispronouncing its name? You’re not alone. In the luxury fashion arena, pronouncing designer names correctly is a basic but crucial skill—it separates the connoisseurs from the novices. This…

FAQGlossary

RETAILBOSS Team2 years ago

Luxury Dictionary: Terms You Need to Know

A Glossary of Must-Know Terms for Luxury Shoppers

Understanding the language of luxury is essential for creating narratives that resonate with affluent audiences and elevate brand perception. Welcome to “Luxury Dictionary: Terms You Need to Know,” where we explore the vocabulary that transforms high-end products into timeless masterpieces…

GlossaryStrategy

RETAILBOSS Team2 years ago

Fashion Buyer: Definition, Job and Career Path

Fashion Buyer: Definition, Job and Career Path (U.S. Edition)

A fashion buyer is pivotal in the retail industry, responsible for selecting and purchasing the clothing, shoes, and accessories that appear on store shelves. Aspiring fashion buyers must understand the educational pathways, salary expectations, job outlook, and key industry trends…

EducationGlossary

RETAILBOSS Team2 years ago

What is the definition of a boutique?

What is the definition of a boutique?

A boutique is a small, specialized store offering a finely curated selection of high-end products that cater to specific tastes and styles. Unlike larger retail chains that target mass markets, boutiques focus on exclusivity, often featuring unique items from independent…

Glossary

RETAILBOSS Team2 years ago

What is a Big-box Retailer?

What is a Big-box Retailer?

Big-box retailers or stores, such as Walmart and Target, offer competitive prices and a vast selection under one roof, while warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club focus on bulk buying and membership deals. These large retail establishments, often part…

Glossary

RETAILBOSS Team2 years ago

What is Assortment Planning in Fashion?

What is Assortment Planning in Fashion?

Assortment planning in fashion retail is a strategic process that involves selecting the right mix of products to offer in various stores and through different sales channels, ensuring that the assortment matches the preferences and buying habits of the target…

FashionGlossary

RETAILBOSS Team2 years ago

View all Glossary