Canadian grocery retailers need to get ready for Ambition 2027. This is the industry-wide target, supported by GS1, for retail point-of-sale systems to scan and process GS1-powered 2D barcodes—such as GS1 DataMatrix and QR codes with GS1 Digital Link—by the end of 2027, alongside traditional 1D UPC and EAN barcodes.
In Canada, the initiative is known as Ambition 2027. (In the United States it is often called Sunrise 2027.) The goal is the same: ensure POS systems can handle richer product data for better traceability, food safety, inventory management, and customer experience.
For official guidance, testing resources, and Canadian-specific information, visit GS1 Canada, the organization managing the standards and supporting the Retail 2D Transition.
What Ambition 2027 Means for Grocery Stores
Under Ambition 2027, 2D barcodes can carry far more information than linear barcodes. In addition to the GTIN, they can include batch or lot numbers, expiration dates, serial numbers, and digital links to product details. This supports faster recalls, reduced shrink through better expiry handling, improved supply-chain visibility, and new ways for shoppers to access information.
The change will be gradual. Many products will use dual marking (both 1D and 2D) during the transition. However, retailers that are not ready by December 31, 2027 may struggle to scan items that carry only 2D codes. Manual entry of the human-readable GTIN is possible but slows down checkout.
GS1 Canada is working with retailers on readiness assessments and provides test kits for scanner verification.
Scanning Is Only Part of the Picture
Success with Ambition 2027 requires more than updated checkout scanners. Grocery operations also depend on accurate weighing and labelling, especially in produce, deli, bakery, meat, and prepared-foods departments.
If you print labels—whether from a price-computing scale or a separate label printer—those systems must be able to produce GS1-compatible labels. Incompatible printers or scales can create bottlenecks even if your front-end scanners are ready.
Armagh Solutions Support Ambition 2027 Readiness
Armagh POS serves grocery and retail businesses across Canada. Our systems are already aligned with the requirements of Ambition 2027:
- Catapult Retail POS Software is compatible with GS1 barcodes and supports the transition at the software and data level.
- The Catapult Autoscale Max price-computing and label-printing scale handles the new GS1 barcodes easily.
- The Ishida Uni-5, Uni-7, Uni-8, and Uni-10 label-printing scale lines also support GS1 barcode requirements.
- Toshiba’s label printers are durable, reliable, and easy-to-use devices that are completely customizable. Models are available that are able to print product, shelf, shipping labels, tags, and more.
Whether labels are generated directly on an integrated scale or on a standalone printer, these solutions help keep in-store labelling accurate and compliant as the industry moves forward.
Practical Steps Canadian Retailers Can Take Now
- Audit current POS scanners, scales, and any separate label printers for 2D and GS1 readiness.
- Confirm that labels printed in-store (especially weight-variable items) will meet the new standards.
- Coordinate with suppliers on dual-marking timelines.
- Use resources from GS1 Canada for testing and guidance.
- Partner with technology providers that already support the standards.
- Ambition 2027 / Sunrise 2027 is a readiness milestone, not an overnight ban on 1D barcodes. Preparing early protects checkout speed, strengthens food-safety processes, and positions your store for a more data-rich retail environment.
Armagh POS is ready to help Canadian grocery retailers meet the Ambition 2027 requirements with proven Catapult software, scale and labeling solutions that already handle GS1 barcodes. Contact us to review your current setup and plan your next steps.
Stay ready for Ambition 2027. Label with confidence. Serve customers better.
About Armagh POS Solutions
Armagh has been serving the retail, restaurant and grocery industries in Canada since 1979, delivering solutions for a range of operators from single-unit small businesses to multi-unit national chains.
We are specialists in touch screen and scanning point of sale (POS) systems for both restaurants and retail stores, cash registers, scales, liquor inventory control systems, and grocery label and wrapping equipment.
With 40+ years POS industry experienced the sales staff at Armagh provides experienced consultants in point-of-purchase management, customer service efficiency, process automation, and restaurant order management.
Armagh’s award-winning Catapult Retail POS Software and Digital Dining POS Restaurant Software are best-in-class, and Armagh is a QIR and Diamond Toshiba Alliance Partner.