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Retail
The
use of bar code is already well established and highly visible
in retail sales institutions. Virtually all multilane Supermarkets
use counter-mounted bar code scanners (usually called slot
scanners) in combination with electronic POS terminals. These
slot scanners are reading the UPC or GS1 symbols that appear
on prepackaged food and convenience products.
General merchandise and
convenience stores are also moving toward bar code scanning as part of the checkout
process. Because of the wide variety of product shapes and size, handheld laser scanners,
CCD scanners, or wands are often used instead of slot scanners.
The
scanner is interfaced to small computer located in the store.
When an item is scanned, the data from the GS1 symbol
is used as a license plate and the price an description information
is extracted from the database stored in POS terminal. Because
of the on-line nature of this system, inventory levels can
be automatically decremented, and real-time information can
be provided.
In most supermarkets, bar code
shelf labels are also used as part of the reordering or restocking process.
In a store’s back room, bar
code can be used to simplify the receiving and unboxing process. In this instance, the
ITF -14 symbol is often present on cases of products shipped to stores.
In order to ensure freshness,
reduce obsolescence, decrease excess inventory, and respond to quickly changing buying
habits, a program known as "Quick Response" is used by many retail chains and
suppliers. This program uses bar code to track individually serialized shipping cartons
directly to the retailer’s receiving dock by means of GS1 –128 symbol |
