More than seven in ten severely visually impaired people find buying food a challenge and as a result 71% have avoided it altogether. It comes as 83% in a poll of 500 visually impaired people - including 100 blind people - said information on food packaging is difficult or impossible to read.

What's more, 73% believe little thought is given to designing packaging with people with sight loss in mind. The poll by GS1 UK revealed the biggest barriers when shopping are small or hard-to-read text (56%), poor lighting (40%) and product placement changes in the stores (23%).

A lack of staff support and no access to audio descriptions or mobile app support were also key barriers that made shopping difficult. However, the research discovered that poor packaging doesn't just make things inconvenient, it makes the shopping experience emotionally draining.

Shoppers reported feeling stressed, frustrated and anxious when trying to identify products. And those with allergies often risked buying food they would later discover contains an ingredient they were allergic too - something 37% have experienced.

To make sure they get what they need, more than of the shoppers polled (53%) have resorted to asking strangers for help - which made 36% feel uncomfortable - while 83% stick to familiar brands to avoid accessibility challenges.

GS1 UK commissioned the research as part of their work alongside tech firms such as Zappar, to improve accessibility and make shopping more inclusive.

Vicky Blencowe, is a volunteer with the Sight Loss Council and was diagnosed with Stargardt's disease, a hereditary eye condition that causes loss of central vision in 2001. She said: "I'm a bit unadventurous. It's difficult to explore new products when you can't read the labels. Consistency is key. We need accessible QR codes across everything, not just in the cereal aisle or on a few products.

"The ability to scan from a distance and instantly get information would be a miracle for shoppers like me - and having information stored and accessible quickly in a consistent way would make shopping easier, fairer and far more inclusive."

A large number of respondents agreed linking QR codes to audio descriptions (32%) and mobile app integration (29%) would significantly improve the shopping experience. Meanwhile large, high-contrast print (56%), consistent shelf layouts (43%) and trained-staff (37%) would also help.

Visually impaired consumers reported feeling ignored as 78% believed brands and retailers have not invested enough in technology to support them. And 85% wanted the UK Government to make accessibility support mandatory.

Anne Godfrey, CEO of GS1 UK, said: "There is strong demand for change and with better, more inclusive options available, it's time for brands and retailers to take action to make shopping easier for everyone.

"While large, high-contrast print is desirable, it's often impractical due to limited space on packaging. QR codes powered by GS1 offer more than regular QR codes. They make vital details like ingredients, allergens and storage advice accessible through screen readers and assistive apps.

"This ensures consistency and compatibility across products, restoring independence for visually impaired shoppers."

Four in ten visually impaired shoppers have already used QR codes to access product information and double the amount said they would use them if they were widely available.

Darren Tan, ecosystem manager at Zappar, said: "Shoppers with sight loss know the information is there; they just can't reach it. Accessible QR codes unlock it instantly using the apps people already trust, now retailers need to make it consistent."