2D Barcode Reader Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented by Type of Technology (CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) Scanners, Laser Scanners, Imager Scanners, Pen-Type Scanners, Camera-Based Readers), By Product Type (Portable/Handheld Barcode Readers, Stationary/Fixed-Mount Barcode Readers, Wearable Barcode Readers) By Industry Vertical (Retail and E-commerce, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Automotive and Aerospace, Manufacturing and Industrial, Food and Beverage, Energy and Utilities, IT and Telecommunications, Aerospace and Defense, Others), By Region, By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 8.23 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	9.06%
Fastest Growing Segment	Stationary/Fixed-Mount Barcode Readers
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 13.85 Billion

Market Overview

The Global 2D Barcode Reader Market will grow from USD 8.23 Billion in 2025 to USD 13.85 Billion by 2031 at a 9.06% CAGR. The Global 2D Barcode Reader Market comprises the production and distribution of optical scanning hardware engineered to decode two-dimensional symbologies such as QR codes and Data Matrix which encode information vertically and horizontally. The primary drivers supporting market growth include stringent regulatory mandates for end-to-end supply chain traceability and the necessity for enhanced data storage capacity on product labels to manage expiration dates and batch numbers. Additionally the global retail industry is actively migrating toward these image based scanners to support the Sunrise 2027 initiative and improve inventory accuracy.

One significant challenge that could impede market expansion is the substantial capital expenditure required to upgrade existing infrastructure from legacy linear laser scanners to advanced imaging devices. This financial burden often delays implementation for small and medium enterprises with restricted operational budgets. Despite these costs the industry continues to advance toward modernization. According to 'GS1 US', in '2025', international adoption rates of barcode technology escalated with around 90% of major retailers utilizing these systems for inventory and sales tracking.

Key Market Drivers

Rising demand for patient safety and medication traceability in healthcare is a primary force propelling the adoption of advanced 2D barcode readers. Regulatory frameworks, such as the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) in the United States, compel pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors to implement unit-level serialization for end-to-end visibility. These mandates require high-performance scanners capable of decoding complex Data Matrix codes that store critical information like expiration dates and lot numbers, ensuring counterfeit drugs do not enter the supply chain. According to the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA), August 2025, in their member survey regarding DSCSA implementation, the median accuracy of data exchange between trading partners at the package level reached 98.5%, reflecting the sector's intensive investment in compliant scanning infrastructure. This push for compliance directly correlates with the surge in hardware upgrades across hospital pharmacies and distribution centers.

The rapid expansion of global e-commerce and omnichannel retail further accelerates market growth as businesses prioritize real-time inventory accuracy and speed. Retailers are increasingly deploying image-based scanners to facilitate seamless click-and-collect operations and modernize point-of-sale systems under the Sunrise 2027 initiative. This transition supports the decoding of data-rich 2D symbologies that enhance customer engagement and supply chain efficiency. According to Zebra Technologies, January 2025, in the '17th Annual Global Shopper Study', 79% of retailers expect to increase investment in omnichannel and e-commerce technology to meet fluctuating demand and improve operational agility. Moreover, consumer behavior is reinforcing this technological shift toward transparency. According to GS1 US, in 2025, 66% of shoppers indicated they would scan a QR code on food packaging to access detailed product information such as freshness and ingredients, compelling retailers to adopt versatile reading devices.

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Key Market Challenges

The substantial capital expenditure required to transition from legacy linear laser scanners to advanced imaging devices constitutes a primary restraint on the growth of the Global 2D Barcode Reader Market. This significant financial burden compels many organizations, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises with restricted capital budgets, to postpone necessary hardware upgrades. As a result, the hardware replacement cycle is extended beyond optimal timelines, directly reducing the immediate sales volume of new 2D readers and delaying the revenue recognition that manufacturers anticipate from the industry-wide push toward modernization.

This hesitation to invest in new infrastructure creates a market environment where obsolete technology remains in use despite its functional limitations. The continued reliance on legacy systems creates operational bottlenecks that hinder the overall efficiency the market aims to promote. According to 'GS1 US', in '2025', 70% of logistics operations experience barcode readability issues weekly due to factors including poor label quality and outdated scanning systems. This high prevalence of performance issues indicates that cost barriers are effectively preventing a large segment of the industry from acquiring modern 2D readers, thereby slowing the overall expansion of the market.

Key Market Trends

The market is experiencing a decisive migration to Android-OS mobile computing scanners, driven by the obsolescence of legacy Windows-based operating systems and the need for enhanced enterprise security. Organizations are replacing traditional single-function devices with versatile Android units that offer intuitive touch interfaces and robust application ecosystems, thereby reducing training time and improving workforce productivity. This transition is further accelerated by the requirement for real-time data visibility and error reduction in complex logistics environments. According to Zebra Technologies, May 2025, in the 'Warehousing Vision Study 2025', 71% of decision-makers cited mitigating errors as the primary driver for automating warehouse workflows, underscoring the critical role of modern computing platforms in maintaining operational accuracy.

Concurrently, the integration of AI-powered decoding algorithms is transforming data capture by enabling devices to instantly read damaged, poorly printed, or partially obscured codes with unprecedented precision. These advanced algorithms utilize computer vision and machine learning to decode multiple barcodes simultaneously within a single field of view, significantly outpacing traditional line-of-sight scanning methods. This technological leap allows businesses to leverage predictive analytics and optimize inventory management through richer data inputs. According to MHI, March 2025, in the '2025 MHI Annual Industry Report', the adoption of artificial intelligence in supply chain operations is projected to reach 82% over the next five years, reflecting the sector's rapid shift toward intelligent, automated identification solutions.

Segmental Insights

The Stationary Barcode Readers segment is recognized as the fastest-growing category in the Global 2D Barcode Reader Market due to the rising demand for automated industrial workflows. This growth is propelled by the logistics sector, where high-volume e-commerce fulfillment requires fixed-mount scanners for rapid sorting on conveyor systems. Additionally, strict serialization mandates from regulatory bodies like the FDA compel pharmaceutical manufacturers to adopt these devices for precise product traceability. Industries increasingly prioritize these stationary solutions to eliminate manual scanning requirements and ensure consistent accuracy during high-speed production processes.

Regional Insights

North America holds the dominant position in the Global 2D Barcode Reader Market, supported by extensive industrial automation and a mature e-commerce logistics infrastructure. This leadership is reinforced by strict government mandates in the healthcare sector that demand precise traceability. Notably, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implementation of the Unique Device Identification (UDI) system requires robust data capture mechanisms, directly increasing the dependency on 2D barcode technologies for medical device tracking. Consequently, the region continues to prioritize advanced scanning hardware to ensure compliance, operational efficiency, and supply chain visibility.

Recent Developments

• In September 2025, SICK AG launched the Lector 83x series of camera-based code readers at the IMHX intralogistics exhibition in Birmingham. The new range, described by the company as a high-performance solution for tracking and tracing, was designed to identify finished products and components in logistics and industrial applications. The Lector 83x series featured artificial intelligence segmentation and a high-power central processing unit to achieve faster image processing times. The company highlighted that the readers could identify a wide variety of 1D and 2D codes, including Data Matrix and QR codes, at conveyor speeds of up to 2.5 meters per second.
• In June 2025, Omron Automation Americas introduced the VHV5 Ultra-High Performance Barcode Reader, a fixed-mount device designed for challenging industrial environments. The new reader incorporated an Automated Intelligent Setup system that adjusted lighting, focus, and image enhancement settings without requiring specialized expertise from the operator. The company stated that the VHV5 was optimized for reading difficult direct part marks and operating on high-speed packaging lines in sectors such as automotive and food and beverage. The device featured a neural processing unit to accelerate performance and ensure stability in decoding complex codes even under varying conditions.
• In January 2025, Cognex Corporation launched the DataMan 290 and 390 barcode readers, expanding its portfolio of image-based code reading solutions for the industrial sector. These new devices featured advanced artificial intelligence technology designed to deliver reliable decoding performance across a wide range of manufacturing applications. The company emphasized that the readers were engineered to simplify setup and deployment, allowing users to streamline barcode scanning processes and improve operational efficiency. The DataMan 290 was positioned for standard applications, while the DataMan 390 offered higher resolution for complex scanning tasks, with both models supporting the reading of damaged or low-quality codes.
• In May 2024, Zebra Technologies Corporation introduced the FS42 fixed industrial scanner, a device equipped with a neural processing unit to support artificial intelligence and deep learning applications. The company announced that the new scanner was designed to handle resource-intensive tasks such as optical character recognition and high-throughput scanning in manufacturing and logistics environments. The FS42 featured the company's proprietary software for rapid setup and deployment. Zebra Technologies noted that the device aimed to improve operational visibility and quality control by enabling faster decode times for select symbologies and enhancing anomaly detection capabilities in connected factories.

Key Market Players

• Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Honeywell International Inc
• Cognex Corporation
• Datalogic S.p.A
• NCR Corporation
• Denso Wave Incorporated
• Microscan Systems, Inc
• Opticon Sensors Europe B.V
• SICK AG
• Shenzhen Bluebird Auto-ID Tech Co., Ltd

By Product Type	By Industry Vertical	By Region
Portable/Handheld Barcode Readers Stationary/Fixed-Mount Barcode Readers Wearable Barcode Readers	Retail and E-commerce Healthcare and Life Sciences Automotive and Aerospace Manufacturing and Industrial Food and Beverage Energy and Utilities IT and Telecommunications Aerospace and Defense Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global 2D Barcode Reader Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• 2D Barcode Reader Market, By Product Type:

• Portable/Handheld Barcode Readers
• Stationary/Fixed-Mount Barcode Readers
• Wearable Barcode Readers

• 2D Barcode Reader Market, By Industry Vertical:

• Retail and E-commerce
• Healthcare and Life Sciences
• Automotive and Aerospace
• Manufacturing and Industrial
• Food and Beverage
• Energy and Utilities
• IT and Telecommunications
• Aerospace and Defense
• Others

• 2D Barcode Reader Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE