Case Study
Updated: April 2026
The Problem
In August 2025, Walmart announced updated barcode requirements for all Food and Beverage suppliers, mandating a transition from GTIN-14 barcodes to GS1-128 barcodes. For suppliers unaware of the change or without an experienced team monitoring Walmart's compliance updates, this transition represented a significant risk of future fines and supply chain disruption.
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Without proactive guidance, many suppliers would have continued shipping product with non-compliant barcodes only discovering the problem once Walmart's enforcement began and chargebacks started hitting.
The Solution
OCM identified the requirement change immediately and got to work. Our team reviewed Walmart's updated barcode requirements in full, then requested the supplier's current barcodes and label specifications to conduct a direct compliance comparison.
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After identifying exactly what needed to change, OCM didn't just send over a list of requirements and leave the supplier to figure it out. We built a clear, professional presentation specifically designed so the supplier could pass it directly to their logistics team outlining the new GS1-128 requirements, what their current labels were missing, and exactly what needed to be updated to achieve full compliance.
The Result
The supplier's logistics team reviewed OCM's presentation, updated their barcodes and labels accordingly, and achieved full compliance with Walmart's new GS1-128 barcode requirements ahead of Walmart's enforcement deadline.
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By getting ahead of this requirement change, the supplier avoided what could have become a significant and recurring source of Walmart chargebacks and fines protecting both their margins and their standing as a compliant Walmart Food & Beverage supplier.
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OCM's proactive monitoring of Walmart's compliance updates saved this Food & Beverage supplier from future fines by guiding a full barcode transition before Walmart's enforcement began.