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3. Industry first as Tesco partners with GS1 UK to test out QR codes in place of traditional barcodes in select stores
As part of an expanded pilot, Tesco is trialling QR codes powered by GS1 in a small number of stores.
This replaces traditional barcodes on 12 own brand meat and produce lines in a small number of locations across southern England.
Developed in collaboration with GS1 UK and ten supplier partners, the initiative is primarily focused on capturing use by dates and batch numbers.
This is pitched as the first trial of its kind and scale by a UK supermarket. The focus here is on core operational data and laying the foundation for future use cases, such as linking to allergen information, sourcing and sustainability credentials, and recycling guidance.
“While it’s still early days, we’re already seeing the benefits of connecting our products to dynamic digital information that will help customers to know more about the products on our shelves,” says Isabela De Pedro, Supply Chain Development & Change Director at Tesco.
”As well as improving the customer experience and unlocking new supply chain value, we are testing how QR codes can help Tesco with issues including traceability, compliance, sustainability and shelf-edge communication.”
Iain Walker, Director of Industry Engagement at GS1 UK, says: “This trial is a clear signal that the retail industry is entering a new chapter. QR codes powered by GS1 allow brands and retailers to share richer, more trusted information – at the Point of Sale, at home, or anywhere in between. Tesco is helping to lead the way, demonstrating how digital product identity can unlock both commercial and consumer value.”
4. Record breaking Retail Technology Show 2025 wins plaudits from Sainsbury’s, Rituals and Ann Summers
Nineteen Group, the organisers of Retail Technology Show, report that 14,116 retail professionals attended the 2025 event, which took place at London ExCel on 2nd-3rd April, an 11% increase on the previous year and the highest ever turn out.
There were 483 exhibitors from across the retail tech landscape, and 125 speakers on the various stages around the showfloor.
Penny Grivea, former Managing Director UK & Ireland at Rituals, remarked that RTS helps retailers remain “relevant” and “stay on their toes.” While Maria Hollins, CEO at Ann Summers, added: “you’ll always find something that’s interesting you can take away to your own business.”
Prerana Issar, Chief People Officer & Head of Corporate Affairs at Sainsbury’s, also highlighted the role the event plays in unifying the retail industry through technology innovation and the symbiotic relationship between the two. “The fact that technology and retail come together [at RTS] is fantastic because they aren’t two different things anymore – they haven’t been for a while now. It isn’t possible to talk about retail without talking about technology, digital, AI – they are all one and the same thing,” she said.
A conference programme saw sector leaders including M&S’ Archie Norman, serial entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, The Body Coach Joe Wicks, and All Saints Founder Stuart Trevor take to the stage.
Speaking to RTS, Trevor talked about how the show was a unifying force within the retail sector, commenting: “it brings together all different people, from all walks of the industry.”
Meanwhile, Customer Whisperer, Kate Hardcastle, who chaired the Spectacular Headline Stage across the two-day conference programme, added: “RTS has become a beautiful meeting point where technology and retail converge.”
5. Nedap connects with Dutch retailer HEMA for RFID roll-out at stores in Netherlands, Belgium, France
Nedap is implementing its iD Cloud RFID platform across more than 740 HEMA stores in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Customers will be able to see exactly how many of their favourite items are available in a store via the app or website. Staff will also be able to track inventory faster and more accurately.
All HEMA stores in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, and Austria will be live with the RFID solution by mid-2026.
“This partnership is special: two Dutch companies with a rich history, innovative spirit, and strong customer focus are joining forces,” says Hilbert Dijkstra, General Manager iD Cloud at Nedap. “We are proud to support HEMA on their RFID journey and look forward to the results we will achieve together.”
6. RTS 2025: Theo Paphitis talks Ryman’s blended approach, his love of technology, and Shein ‘cop out’
“I love technology. I’m an early adopter,” said the eponymous Owner and Chairman of the Theo Paphitis Retail Group, which owns the Ryman stationer, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue brands, at Retail Technology Show 2025 in London last month, as he shared his trenchant views on the past UK government and future of the High Street, which is likely to rely on a blended approach where tech supports the in-store offering.
As an aside Paphitis, who is well known for the Dragon’s Den TV programme and for his Small Business Sunday (#SBS) business network that supports over 4,000 SMEs, also advised attendees at RTS 2025 to play with artificial intelligence tools in order to be an early adopter themselves of this important technology. “You ignore AI at your peril,” he warned.
More immediately, Paphitis discussed how his Ryman stationary estate of stores is using technology to drive customers back in-store after a tough time during the Covid-19 pandemic, and indeed since when more and more of its customers now work from home. They no longer regularly travel into UK city centres, where his physical Ryman stores are typically located. “We went from a £10 million profit to minus -£4 million, but returned to profit last year,” he said.
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