Source: https://www.ces.tech/
CES 2026 in Las Vegas once again highlighted how physical products are becoming deeply connected to digital workflows—not only through AI and smart devices, but through something far more practical: barcodes and QR codes.
Across retail technology, smart appliances, and logistics-focused demonstrations, scanning and labeling were no longer presented as background infrastructure. Instead, they appeared as critical “entry points” for checkout, replenishment, product setup, and lifecycle tracking.
For businesses responsible for inventory labeling, fulfillment accuracy, and front-of-house efficiency, this matters. CES 2026 signaled growing demand for faster 1D/2D barcode scanning, screen-readable QR performance, and barcode label printers capable of producing consistently scan-ready output at scale.
Below is a practical, buyer-focused breakdown of what CES 2026 revealed about barcode printing and scanning, and how these signals should influence hardware selection and deployment decisions in 2026.
Key Takeaways at a Glance
• Barcode scanning is moving beyond dedicated handheld devices into everyday smart hardware—expanding how, where, and how often codes get scanned.
• QR codes are accelerating in retail experiences, including checkout flows and post-purchase touchpoints like digital receipts.
• Serialized QR codes are becoming a default “service entry point” for products—supporting setup, warranty, lifecycle info, and traceability.
• The practical result: buyers need faster 1D/2D barcode scanners and thermal label printers that produce scan-ready barcodes consistently (even on small labels and high-volume workflows).
Trend 1: Barcode Scanning Moves Into Everyday Devices
At CES 2026, one of the most discussed show-floor examples came from a major appliance maker that introduced a smart refrigerator with a built-in barcode scanner designed for “scan-to-list” replenishment—scanning empty packaging to help users maintain a more accurate shopping list.
Why this matters for barcode scanning
This is more than a consumer convenience feature. It signals that:
• Barcode scanning is becoming ambient—embedded into devices, kiosks, and workflows.
• Scanning environments are increasingly variable: reflective packaging, low light, curved surfaces, and quick “one-handed” scanning.
• There's more emphasis on fast decoding and high tolerance scanning, especially for UPC/EAN on consumer packaging.
Implication for buyers: If your operations include retail counters, fulfillment stations, or mobile workflows, prioritize industrial barcode scanners (or high-performance retail scanners) that can handle real-world packaging—not just ideal test labels.
Trend 2: QR Codes Are Becoming a Core Checkout and Post-Checkout Layer
CES retail-tech coverage highlighted QR-centric flows where shoppers can pay using QR codes and then access digital receipts via QR code after checkout.
Why this matters for 2D barcode scanning
QR adoption keeps pushing scanning requirements forward:
• Retail needs more 2D barcode scanner coverage (screen scanning, fast recognition, and wide-angle capture).
• Digital receipts and post-checkout QR touchpoints expand scanning frequency beyond the POS moment.
• Customer-facing QR flows increase the need for consistent print quality (for printed QR) and high read rates (for on-screen QR).
Implication for buyers: If you sell into retail or build solutions for retailers, a scanner that is “good enough” for 1D codes is no longer enough. Many deployments will require 1D + 2D scanning as the baseline, with strong performance for screen QR.
Trend 3: Serialized QR Codes as the “One Scan” Product Passport
At CES 2026 Las Vegas, several PC and device makers pushed a ‘digital passport' concept, where each device carries a unique serialized QR code, enabling a one-scan entry into product-specific setup and support information.
Why this matters for barcode label printing
This points directly to growth in:
• Serialized labeling
• Asset tracking
• Warranty/service workflows
• Product traceability
And those depend on labels that remain readable:
• on different materials,
• across handling and shipping,
• and at small sizes (dense QR modules).
Implication for buyers: Choose a barcode printer that can produce high-contrast, high-resolution output, especially if you print small QR codes or need long-term durability. Label quality becomes a system requirement, not a “nice to have.”
What CES 2026 Means for Barcode Printers and Barcode Scanners
CES didn't “announce” a single barcode standard—but it reinforced a direction: more scanning touchpoints, more QR use, and more labeling requirements. That shifts how buyers should evaluate hardware.
Barcode Scanner Buyer Checklist
When comparing scanners for retail, warehouses, and field operations, prioritize:
• 1D + 2D support (UPC/EAN + QR as baseline)
• Screen scanning performance (phones, kiosks, POS displays)
• Motion tolerance (fast passes, quick-hand scanning)
• Challenging surface performance (glossy packaging, curved containers)
• Ergonomics + durability (for high-shift use)
Barcode Printer / Label Printer Buyer Checklist
For barcode printing in logistics, inventory, and compliance labeling:
• Consistent scan-ready output (dark bars, clean edges, stable quiet zone)
• High-resolution printing for small labels and dense QR codes
• Speed + throughput for batch and shipping workflows
• Easy integration into existing systems and label templates
Why IDPRT: Your Experienced Barcode Printer & Scanner Manufacturer
IDPRT is an experienced barcode printer and barcode scanner manufacturer, specializing in R&D and production for real-world, high-throughput operations. We support customers across retail, logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing, where speed, accuracy, and reliability directly impact daily efficiency.
Whether you're upgrading a single station or rolling out barcode printing and scanning across multiple sites, IDPRT can provide the right hardware configuration and technical support to match your workflow.
Contact IDPRT for a quote or sample test.
Tell us your use case (retail / warehouse / manufacturing), barcode types (1D/2D), label sizes, daily volume, and scanning conditions—and we'll recommend a solution and help you move faster with confidence.
