A change is coming to the look of coupons. The traditional coupon barcode is being replaced by a DataBar barcode that will appear on the right hand side of your coupon.
The DataBar barcode is able to contain more information including expiration date, specific sizes or varieties, and more. This will reduce the ability of people to use a coupon on a product or size it was not intended for.
Retailers that utilize DataBar will experience automatic expiration date checking, reduced cashier intervention and improved scan rates. This means your checkout experience should be much less painful and will be faster.
Of course, in order for these coupons to scan, the retailer would need to update their POS system to accommodate the new barcode. Most major retailers like Target and Walgreens already support DataBar barcodes, with other retailers soon to come.
(Thanks Time 2 Save Workshops & Frugal Finders!)
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
that’s a relief. they’ve needed to do something like that for a while!
These don’t always work though, even when following the requirements and expiration. Luckily, the couple times they’ve had a problem the cashiers (one at Publix, one at Target) were able to manually enter them.
How do you think it will affect coupons that don’t specify sizes in wording (that CAN be used on trial sizes…), or will it at all? I still think it should be specified in wording as well.
Well I am sure that the wording will remain the same on the coupon. Right now they can’t really decode the difference between a 2 oz package of lunchmeat and a 12 oz. I think that is mainly what they are looking to change.
The Pop Tarts $2/3 coupon printed this way and the cashier at Target said it wouldn’t scan, they took it, but in the confusion they gave away my $4/$10 Hotwheels cat that had printed, to the guy behind me in line :(
I got my RedPlum in the mail on Tuesday, and at least two of the coupons had the DataBar coupon only. I anticipate that this will become more common. I hope the stores I frequent switch systems quickly!
Is the bacode that appears on the right side aready? At Walmart you have to cover it up to get the coupon to scan.
No this is going to replace that barcode. There will now just be one barcode instead of 2.
I just have a few questions. If our grocery stores don’t update their system, will the barcode even scan or will it beep and they will need to manually enter it. Glad this is being done to prevent coupon misuse, but nervous that my non-chain grocery stores won’t have their systems updated for a long time. Thanks.