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Retailer requirements · USA Book a demo

Platform · Sunrise 2027 · Retailer requirements

What retailers actually ask for

Two retailers. Two rulebooks. One link that answers both.

Walmart and Kroger each publish their own supplier standards — different portals, different feeds, the same underlying facts. This is the honest, row-by-row view of what each one asks a US food supplier to provide, and how a single GS1 Digital Link from DSR resolves every row without a parallel system to hand-key.

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One code · every audience Live record
QR code linking to a live sample product record

Exactly the record a retailer's team can open — and export

Public viewWhat a shopper sees at the shelf Traceability recordLot code + key data elements Sealed PDF recordServer-side, downloadable
Walmart vs Kroger · supplier requirements

What each one asks for — and how one link answers it.

A summarised, plain-English comparison of the requirements a US food supplier most often meets for each retailer. The right-hand column is the point: DSR is the universal resolution layer, so you satisfy both from a single GS1 Digital Link instead of two disconnected workflows.

Requirement
Walmart
Kroger
DSR · resolution layer
RequirementItem & catalogue data sync
WalmartItem setup and content typically flow through Supplier One / Retail Link with product attributes published via GDSN (e.g. 1WorldSync), plus EDI (850/856/810) for order-to-cash.
KrogerItem and content commonly synced via GDSN and Kroger's supplier onboarding, with EDI for orders, ship notices and invoices.
DSR · resolution layerOne record holds the item-level data once; export the exact attribute set each retailer's feed expects — no second catalogue to key by hand.
RequirementFSMA 204 traceability (from 20 Jul 2028)
WalmartA Traceability Lot Code plus the FSMA 204 Key Data Elements for each Critical Tracking Event, returnable as sortable records inside the FDA's 24-hour window.
KrogerThe same FSMA 204 lot code and Key Data Elements tied to each shipment and event, retrievable quickly on request.
DSR · resolution layerEvery scan resolves the lot code and its key data elements; a recall query returns the affected lots in seconds — comfortably inside 24 hours, retained for two years.
Requirement2D barcode at the till (Sunrise 2027)
WalmartMoving toward accepting QR / GS1 DataMatrix at point of sale under GS1 Sunrise 2027.
KrogerSame 2D-at-the-till direction under Sunrise 2027.
DSR · resolution layerOne GS1 Digital Link (QR or DataMatrix) rings up the sale and opens the live record — a single symbol, not two.
RequirementItem-level identity
WalmartLicensed GS1 GTIN with lot/batch, GDSN attributes kept current.
KrogerGTIN plus lot/batch, consistent across the supply record.
DSR · resolution layerBuilds on the GTIN you already own — it resolves GTIN + lot to a governed record and never replaces your GS1 identity.
RequirementRecord format on request
WalmartA sortable spreadsheet of traceability data on request (per FSMA 204).
KrogerSortable electronic records tied to lot and event.
DSR · resolution layerOne click exports a sortable traceability record and a sealed PDF dossier — the same underlying data, in either shape.
RequirementRecall & withdrawal response
WalmartRapid, lot-level recall and withdrawal — narrow to the affected lots, fast.
KrogerThe same expectation: precise, lot-level withdrawal without pulling the whole line.
DSR · resolution layerLot-level resolution means a recall targets only the affected lots — not the whole SKU — shrinking scope, cost and shelf disruption.

Retailer names are used for identification only. Requirements are summarised in plain English and change over time — always confirm against each retailer's current published supplier standards. Figures and examples are illustrative.

The universal resolution layer

You publish once. DSR speaks each retailer's dialect.

The requirements above look different because the portals differ — but underneath they ask for the same item-level identity and traceability. DSR sits in the middle: one record, many governed outputs.

1

One source of truth

Author the item-level identity and the FSMA 204 lot data once, against ready-made GS1 Digital Link templates. Bulk import included.

2

Governed views per audience

Shopper, retailer and authority each see exactly what they should — from the same link, with a signed record behind it.

3

Export to fit the feed

Produce the sortable traceability spreadsheet, the sealed PDF dossier, or the attributes a GDSN/EDI feed expects — on demand.

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Get ready for the shelf

Meet Walmart and Kroger from one link.

Publish the item-level identity and FSMA 204 lot data once, and let DSR resolve it for every retailer, every audience and the FDA — ready for the 20 July 2028 date and GS1 Sunrise 2027.

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The honest note. This page summarises — in plain English — the kinds of requirements Walmart and Kroger commonly place on US food suppliers. Exact programmes, portals and thresholds vary by category and change over time; always verify against each retailer's current published supplier standards. US FSMA 204's compliance date is 20 July 2028 (records retained for two years, retrievable within 24 hours). GS1 Sunrise 2027 is an industry initiative to enable 2D barcode acceptance at retail point of sale by the end of 2027; individual retailer readiness varies. Retailer and standards names are shown for identification only. Figures and product examples are illustrative.