Setting up for Sunrise 2027. Take these steps to prepare for the transition to 2D barcodes. A new kind of barcode showing up on packaging has the potential to benefit retailers and consumers through one big factor: data. Capable of holding significantly more information than traditional UPC barcodes, 2D barcodes are becoming a common feature on product packaging. While consumers may not know them by name, most are already familiar with one type of 2D barcode: the QR code. Retailers are already talking to payments solutions provider Verifone about the 2D barcodes. The barcodes' ability to hold more information can be helpful to operators, letting them know which items need to be removed during a recall or when an item is expiring, according to Anil Bhat, head of product for the petroleum group at Verifone. "They're definitely very excited about both of these," Bhat said. But before retailers can run with these new capabilities, the convenience industry needs to finish walking through the transition. "Our industry is, to some extent, notorious for procrastinating until the last minute," Bhat said. So why is putting off this particular transition not a good idea? "One is the capital investment, if they have to make it," he said. "And as these barcodes become more common, you may run the risk of some products transitioning away from traditional UPC-only labeling sooner rather than later." GS1 US is the not-for-profit leading Sunrise 2027, an industry initiative to prepare retail systems to scan 2D barcodes at the point of sale by the end of 2027. GS1 US and Verifone are connected through their partnership with Conexxus, the industry's technology standards group. "We work very closely with Conexxus to ensure that they understand and interpret our standards for Sunrise 2027 and are properly implementing that in line with what their industry needs," said Lindsay Hillman, director of global standards at GS1 US. A number of products on the market today already carry 2D barcodes, primarily in the health and beauty space, Hillman said. "We are starting to see more consumer packaged goods, more food brands, more c-store related products adopting 2D barcodes powered by GS1," she said. While working with retailers, the organization often points out that being ready for Sunrise 2027 helps the brands that are putting the 2D barcodes on packaging. "Retailer readiness can help create the confidence brands need to move forward with packaging changes and 2D barcode adoption," Hillman said. "By configuring point of sale systems now, you're able to support a brand through testing the newly implemented 2D barcodes building a clear partnership since you sell those products every day, it's a good way to support brands through their adoption process. Another benefit to that support is understanding what information they are including in their 2D barcode enabling you to utilize all the information that they're providing earlier." For now, the 2D barcodes are expected to be co-located on packaging with the UPC barcode until retailer readiness to read 2D barcodes reaches about 90% to 95%. "This is a sunrise, not a sunset; we do not anticipate the UPC to disappear overnight," Hillman said.

Verifone launches Victa biometric payment devices in Australia for facial and palm-vein verification. Quick summary. Verifone is introducing biometric payment technology to Australia via its new Victa device suite. The platform enables facial and palm-vein verification at checkout, allowing consumers to link loyalty and payments for a frictionless experience. This opt-in technology aims to enhance security and speed for Australian retailers and shoppers. How does Verifone Victa improve the checkout experience? Biometric payment technology transforms the point of sale by removing the need for physical cards or phones. By utilizing facial and palm-vein recognition, Verifone allows consumers to verify their identity and complete transactions with a simple gesture. This integration is designed to reduce checkout friction while maintaining high security standards through PCI PTS 7.x compliance. * Faster transactions through instant biometric identification. * Seamless loyalty integration without physical cards. * Enhanced security using point-to-point encryption and tokenization. The Victa platform is built on an open operating system, allowing third-party developers to create bespoke business tools. This flexibility means merchants can offer split payments, donations, and personalized marketing directly on the device, turning a standard terminal into a comprehensive business management tool. What are the key features of the Victa device suite? The Victa family includes a diverse range of form factors tailored for different retail environments. From the Victa Mini for pop-up shops to the Victa Unattended for kiosks, Verifone ensures that biometric payment technology is accessible across all commerce channels. The hardware is also designed with sustainability in mind, featuring 60% recycled plastics and field-replaceable batteries. * 12-hour battery life to support full retail shifts. * Haptic feedback and audio cues for improved accessibility. * Recycled materials reducing the environmental impact of hardware. For merchants, the ability to personalize the checkout is a significant advantage. By recognizing enrolled customers via biometrics, retailers can trigger tailored loyalty rewards and specific service offerings instantly. This creates a more connected commerce environment that bridges the gap between digital identity and physical retail. Ff news take: Verifone's introduction of biometric payment technology to the Australian market definitely moves the needle. While biometrics have long been used to unlock smartphones, bringing facial and palm-vein verification to the physical POS terminal is a bold step toward "invisible payments." By focusing on an open platform and sustainable hardware, Verifone isn't just launching a terminal; they are establishing a new standard for connected retail infrastructure in the APAC region. Featured speakers.

Verifone has introduced biometric-capable payment devices in Australia, allowing shoppers to pay using facial recognition or palm-vein scanning. The Verifone Victa suite is Australia's first payment device with built-in biometric capabilities. Australia is among the first Asia-Pacific markets to receive this technology, following New Zealand's launch last month. The system enables customers to complete transactions by looking at the screen or presenting their palm, potentially linking loyalty programmes with payments to reduce checkout friction. Biometric payment remains entirely optional. Customers must enrol through participating providers such as merchants, banks, or digital wallets and provide consent. Traditional payment methods including cards, phones, and PINs continue to be available at terminals. Kristy Gregory, Head of Strategic Partners at Verifone, noted that Australians are accustomed to contactless payments, and biometric verification represents the next evolution in secure, frictionless checkout experiences.