Retail Barcode Scanning

The cluster focuses on debates about using barcode scanners for product identification in retail and checkout processes, including feasibility, reliability issues, and comparisons to alternatives like RFID or phone apps.

📉 Falling 0.4x Hardware
2,224
Comments
19
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#4041
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2008
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2011
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2012
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92
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2018
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Keywords

e.g ISBN PDF417 RFID UPC GS1 Amazon.com SKU CODE128 OCR scan scanning scanner aldi item codes cart bags bar tag

Sample Comments

jayemar Oct 26, 2023 View on HN

Why isn't this possible with barcodes?

caf Dec 1, 2017 View on HN

Couldn't you just snap a photo of the barcodes, then scan a printout next time?

rplnt Apr 7, 2014 View on HN

You can scan barcode most of the time.

homakov Jul 27, 2017 View on HN

Usable? Scanning codes and plastic sticks? Not really

nsheridan Apr 13, 2017 View on HN

There's noting stopping you from scanning the barcode multiple times

jeffwask Sep 17, 2025 View on HN

I was more thinking of an external barcode reader, scan and toss.

nottorp Apr 8, 2025 View on HN

No offense but it's not the barcode scanning that's the problem for this feature :)

hfs Dec 5, 2012 View on HN

Don't the serial numbers have bar codes under them? Would a bar code scanner not solve this problem?

Cthulhu_ Aug 28, 2024 View on HN

Not for scanning barcodes; I've seen them in action, they're noticeably slower and the image processing seems more involved than whatever magic is in barcode scanners.

liveoneggs Apr 9, 2019 View on HN

this is how they've always worked. How else should a barcode be entered by a scanner?